Seeks to improve both water supply options and usage efficiency, while lowering the environmental impact of water services including GHG emissions. This project develops a framework for climate-resilient water supply, addressing the economic, social, and cultural factors under future urbanisation and climate change uncertainties. The project addresses a current dearth in comprehensive value circular economy precinct evaluation frameworks.
Research Questions: What is the current emissions baseline influenced by water? What are the least-cost options for emission reduction, and how do novel approaches reduce both upstream and downstream emissions? What are people’s values for future water supply under climate uncertainties? What are the most suitable collaborative investment strategies and financing models that encourage co-investment by sharing benefits, costs and risks among different parties? How can resilience modelling foster collaboration and coordination across water-energy sectors in the precinct?
Methods: Water end use analysis, efficiency options trials and water-energy impact assessment, cost-benefit analyses for future water options and strategies for least-cost carbon management and efficiency. Detailed inventories will create quantitative models to understand Scope 3 GHG emissions, which are significantly higher than Scope 1 and 2. The project will create an integrated decision-making and business case framework that considers economic benefits and social and cultural well-being amidst climate uncertainties. Non-market valuation assessments to gauge people’s preferences and values for resilient water supply options. Data will be incorporated into value chain analysis and business cases. The project will explore collaborative financing and investment models through stakeholder consultations and economic modelling. These models will be tested in a circular economy framework. Mathematical Material Flow analysis and Environmentally Extended Multi-Regional Input Output analysis will guide circular economy performance indicators.
Return to Theme