Input-Output Analysis: Environmental Impacts of Car Parts

This lecture focuses on evaluating the environmental impacts associated with the choice of materials for a car part, specifically the front panel. The instructor presents a case study involving steel, aluminum, and a thermoset composite material. The lecture covers topics such as primary energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and the calculation of environmental vectors. Through exercises, students analyze the input-output relationships between different sectors, calculating the contribution of tiers to non-renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The session also delves into the embodied energy of gasoline and total emissions, providing insights into the environmental implications of material choices in manufacturing processes.