The PIOLab: Building global physical input–output tables in a virtual laboratory

Informed environmental-economic policy decisions require a solid understanding of the economy's biophysical basis. Global physical input–output tables (gPIOTs) collate vast array information on world structure and its interdependence with environment, which can help to monitor progress toward sustainable circular economy. However, building gPIOTs requires dealing mismatched incomplete primary data high uncertainties, makes it time-consuming labor-intensive endeavor. We address this challenge by introducing PIOLab: A virtual laboratory for gPIOTs. This represents newest branch industrial ecology (IELab) concept, cloud-computing platform collaborative research environment through participants pool resources assemble individual that target specific questions. To overcome lack data, PIOLab builds extensively upon secondary derived from variety models commonly used in ecology. use case global iron-steel supply chains describe architecture highlight analytical capabilities. major strength gPIOT is ability provide mass-balanced indicators both apparent/direct embodied/indirect flows, regions disaggregated economic sectors. present first 10 years (2008–2017), covering 32 regions, 30 processes, 39 types iron/steel flows. Diagnostic tests reconciliation show good level adherence between raw values realized gPIOT. conclude elaborating how will be extended cover other materials energy article met requirements Gold-Gold JIE openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.