Exploring and criticizing possible transition pathways to achieve carbon neutrality

past

Master project
2023

Context and problem

The security and survival of the human species will depend in part on its will to halt climate changes by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions until it achieves carbon neutrality. Historical trends only show weak signals of possible decarbonization. However, complex socio-economic evolution models, called Integrated Assessment Models (IAM), aim to define combinations of parameters to achieve carbon neutrality. The objective of this internship is to carry out a critical analysis of the existing IAM and transition pathways, including those used by the IPCC, in order to produce recommendations relating to planning trajectories towards sustainable carbon neutrality.

Description of the project and tasks

To reach the objective of the project, the following tasks will be conducted:

  • Comparison between IAM et Openmod models (Times-Markal, Energyscope, etc) in relationship to net zero transition pathways.
  • Mapping Integrated Assessment Models and Openmod models.
  • Analysing their respective structures, usages and sustainability dimensions.
  • Understanding and analysing their key parameters.
  • Identifying their limits and the main research perspectives to identify and plan sustainable carbon neutrality pathways.
  • Evaluating the potential of requestioning growth and the ever-rising demand.

Deliverables

  • A descriptive report on the tasks conducted;
  • A presentation of the study at CIRAIG and potentially to industrial partner(s);
  • Modeling files if applicable;
  • Participation to the preparation of a scientific article, with co-authorship of the intern, if applicable.

Skills

Qualification implies having taken an EPFL LCA course or equivalent, as well as a good level in English.

Desired skills of the applicants are as follows:

  • Rigor
  • Analytic skills
  • Ability to conduct literature review and summarize outcomes

Following knowledge is an asset:

  • Integrated model assessments
  • Technico-economic modeling
  • System dynamics

Administrative

Supervision: the project is supervised by:

  • Manuele Margni, Ph.D., M.Sc. A., B. Ing. : Professor at Polytechnique Montreal, Professor HES-SO Valais Wallis, invited fellow at EPFL at IPESE with Pr. François Maréchal, EPFL-Energypolis, Sion. manuele.margni@hevs.ch.
  • Anne de Bortoli, Ph.D., M.Sc., B. Ing. : postdoctoral researcher at CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montréal, invited researcher at Ecole des Ponts ParisTech. anne.debortoli@polymtl.ca

Location: CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montréal, 3333 Queen Mary Road, Montreal, Canada.

Compensation: budget for the round-trip Europe-Montreal and accommodation in Montreal during the internship.

Application: Interested students must send an application file including a CV, a transcript (bachelor and master) and a cover letter to anne.debortoli@polymtl.ca and manuele.margni@hevs.ch. Applications will be reviewed in chronological order and positions remain open until suitable candidates are found.