Global Trade Patterns Amplify Raw Material Consumption
Shifts in international trade, particularly the outsourcing of production by developed nations to less material-efficient suppliers, significantly increase global raw material consumption.
Environmental Science & Technology · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Changes in international trade patterns were a significant driver of increased global raw material consumption.
- 02Developed countries, by shifting production to less material-efficient suppliers, played a major role in driving this growth.
- 03The rise in material consumption in emerging economies did not negate the impact of industrialized nations as drivers of global resource use.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize sourcing from and designing for supply chains that demonstrate material efficiency, rather than assuming outsourcing inherently reduces resource use.
How to apply
When specifying materials or selecting manufacturing partners, investigate the material efficiency of their production processes and supply chains, not just cost or availability.
Project actions
- 01When researching materials, look beyond their immediate properties to understand the resource impact of their extraction and manufacturing.
- 02Consider the global implications of your design choices, especially if your product involves international manufacturing.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes a comprehensive multi-regional input-output model for a global perspective.
- +Applies a robust structural decomposition analysis to disentangle complex drivers.
Limitations
The study's data is from 1990-2010, so newer, more resource-efficient technologies or global initiatives might not be fully captured.
Reliability & validity
The use of a well-established MRIO model and decomposition analysis lends strong reliability and validity to the findings regarding the drivers of resource consumption.
Think critically
If developed countries are driving resource use by outsourcing to less efficient suppliers, what design strategies could encourage the development and adoption of more efficient production methods in those supplier countries?
Design Principles
"Design for global material responsibility: Account for the resource intensity of all stages of production, including outsourced manufacturing."
Understanding the material footprint of global supply chains is crucial for designers and engineers aiming to reduce environmental impact. This research highlights that simply shifting production does not equate to resource efficiency and can exacerbate global resource depletion.
What This Means for Your Design
Moving production to other countries doesn't always mean using fewer resources; sometimes it means using more because the new places aren't as good at being efficient.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify investigating the material footprint of different manufacturing locations or material sourcing options for your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2018). International Trade Drives Global Resource Use: A Structural Decomposition Analysis of Raw Material Consumption from 1990–2010. Environmental Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b06133 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/3181ad7c-075a-4fb0-b0ae-043384cce470/global-trade-patterns-amplify-raw-material-consumption
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that international trade patterns can significantly increase global raw material consumption, particularly when developed nations shift production to less material-efficient suppliers. This underscores the importance of evaluating the material footprint of global supply chains in design projects.
Source
Environmental Science & Technology
International Trade Drives Global Resource Use: A Structural Decomposition Analysis of Raw Material Consumption from 1990–2010
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about global trade patterns amplify raw material consumption?
- Prioritize sourcing from and designing for supply chains that demonstrate material efficiency, rather than assuming outsourcing inherently reduces resource use. Evidence: Environmental Science & Technology (2018).
- Why does "Global Trade Patterns Amplify Raw Material Consumption" matter for design?
- Understanding the material footprint of global supply chains is crucial for designers and engineers aiming to reduce environmental impact. This research highlights that simply shifting production does not equate to resource efficiency and can exacerbate global resource depletion.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize sourcing from and designing for supply chains that demonstrate material efficiency, rather than assuming outsourcing inherently reduces resource use.
- What were the main findings?
- Changes in international trade patterns were a significant driver of increased global raw material consumption.. Developed countries, by shifting production to less material-efficient suppliers, played a major role in driving this growth.. The rise in material consumption in emerging economies did not negate the impact of industrialized nations as drivers of global resource use.
- What research method was used?
- Structural Decomposition Analysis using a Multi-Regional Input-Output model.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Environmental Science & Technology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When specifying materials or selecting manufacturing partners, investigate the material efficiency of their production processes and supply chains, not just cost or availability.
- What are the limitations?
- The analysis is based on data up to 2010 and may not fully reflect more recent trends in circular economy initiatives or technological advancements in material efficiency.
- Is there evidence that supply chains affects design outcomes?
- Global trade, especially the way developed countries manage their supply chains, is a major reason why we're using more raw materials worldwide. Understanding the material footprint of global supply chains is crucial for designers and engineers aiming to reduce environmental impact. This research highlights that simply Source: Environmental Science & Technology (2018).
- Where does this global research apply?
- Global trade and resource consumption It sits within resource management research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
supply chains design research · evidence on supply chains · does supply chains improve design outcomes · global studies for designers · supply chains and global findings · resource management research evidence