Tackling climate change beyond carbon neutrality
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) has launched a groundbreaking research initiative that aims to redefine strategies for achieving net zero carbon emissions. Co-chaired by Professor Marie-Luc Arpin of the Department of Management and Human Resources, and Professor Ben Amor from the Department of Civil and Building Engineering, the chair is tasked with developing innovative life cycle analysis (LCA) approaches to ensure that carbon neutrality goals are met while also addressing broader environmental impacts. Their work represents a bold step toward the aim of creating a sustainable future through interdisciplinary research that combines natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
A bold and expansive goal
Arpin explained in a Sept. 5 interview that the objective of the initiative is to go beyond the more familiar concept of carbon neutrality. “The project is ambitious because it addresses not only carbon emissions but also the full spectrum of environmental impacts, such as biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and human health,” she said. Unlike traditional carbon-neutral strategies, which focus solely on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this research aims to account for all environmental consequences through life cycle assessments.
Arpin emphasized that this broadened scope is crucial because a net zero strategy should not be limited to carbon emissions alone. “We call it net zero on the full spectrum of environmental impacts,” she said. This broader approach allows the research team to anticipate and address counterproductive dynamics, such as rebound effects—situations where efforts to reduce environmental impact can inadvertently lead to increased consumption elsewhere. “For example, if a company becomes more energy efficient but then scales up its operations, the net benefit could be offset by this expansion,” Arpin explained.
Modelling beyond traditional boundaries
The research chair’s work challenges conventional LCA methods by integrating social science perspectives, as Arpin explained. “Traditional life cycle assessments have huge potential but face limitations when applied to complex decisions that involve trade-offs between different environmental and social impacts,” she said. The goal of the chair is to develop new modeling approaches that not only measure environmental impacts more accurately but also help decision-makers navigate the trade-offs inherent in any strategy aimed at reducing emissions.
Professor Ben Amor, who specializes in sustainable engineering and life cycle analysis, has been instrumental in advancing LCA methodologies. His work, which is heavily data-driven, focuses on developing models that help organizations make more sustainable choices. “Ben’s research develops methodologies for environmental modeling, which are primarily software-based and require a lot of data,” said Arpin. Their collaboration allows them to explore new ways of using LCA results in decision-making processes, particularly by factoring in paradoxes and counterintuitive outcomes.
As Arpin pointed out, their research aims to push the boundaries of traditional environmental modeling by integrating insights from both social sciences and engineering. “Our work generates new approaches for both teaching and assisting decision-makers,” she said, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the project.
