A Dynamic Analysis and Evaluation of Window Frames

Abstract

The present chapter is concerned with the study of the M-P chain of window frames used in houses. This has been chosen as a case study because window frames are used on a large scale, are durable goods, and the respective chain creates a variety of different environmental pressure impacts, notably via the use of various types of materials and energy which causes impacts on resources use and generation of waste (Holmes, 1990; VROM/DGM, 1993; VROM, 1995). A number of different chain management instruments and environmental and economic indicators will be linked in a dynamic model. These indicators are, among other things, raw materials depletion, water pollution, costs and prices. This dynamic modelling approach makes it possible to study the impact of different policy instruments on the choice of specific types of window frames and subsequently on material flows and related environmental impacts over time. Numerical simulation is employed to examine time patterns for the relevant indicators under different policy and external scenarios.

This chapter is a slightly revised version of an article published in Ecological Economics (Kandelaars and Van den Bergh, 1997a).