Richard Wood
Background and activities
Richard Wood is a professor at the Industrial Ecology Programme at NTNU.
Richard's research looks at social and human drivers of environmental change, with a focus on sustainable consumption and production using quantitative approaches that capture the globalisation and development aspects of the field. Richard uses systems approaches, contributing to the development of input-output (IO) and associated life-cycle techniques that give insights into the demand-side drivers of environmental change and the circular economy. He contributes to methodological, empirical and applied efforts in the field, and is a developer of EXIOBASE, one of the most detailed global environmental input-output databases available. EXIOBASE is one of the few global databases used in the quantification of environmental footprints and other consumption and trade based analysis.
For most of my papers, have a look here or email me.
Research Areas:
1. Development, trade and the environment (Globalisation).
My research group has studied the environmental impacts associated with trade, investigating how specialisation has occurred through globalisation in order to quantify the level and impact of outsourcing. We look at the influence of labour productivity, energy productivity, capital and materials; we particularly look at structural changes in the economy; and interpret outcomes in terms of environmental impacts and quality of life.
2. Environmental footprints (sustainable consumption).
My research looks at the environmental impacts of consumption - studying consumer demand, consumer choice, inequality and environmental justice, rebound effects and possibilities for "green lifestyles". Where possible, we seek to understand the relationship to well-being and outcome indicators for sustainable lifestyles.
3. Global supply chain analysis.
My research group is highly active in the development and use of input-output modelling frameworks in which to capture impacts across the globe - giving a spatial resolution along supply chains from source to point of consumption. Such work has given unprecedented insight into intersectoral relationships and their impact on the environment.