Exploring post-carbon futures through participatory input-output modelling

Revealing potential paths to a post-carbon future requires qualified estimates of future trajectories in particular areas of the socio-economic system, especially regarding available technologies, infrastructure and labour demand. The focus of our research is to identify implications of the post-carbon transformation (inspired by European Union’s energy roadmap and its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80–95 % by 2050), in order to gain a better understanding of the system and guide our choices and actions at the present. The approach should propose a stakeholder-supported, evidence-based decision support system for economic, social and biophysical impact assessments of the post-carbon transition. Our contribution will focus on methodological challenges that need to be addressed when coming up with such research design.