A Taxonomy for Technology Models Used in Environmental Impact Studies

This paper proposes classification of the technology models used in environmental analysis into three categories: detailed description of a thoroughly specified technology; general time dependent specification for technological domains; and most broadly with technology as a residual after accounting for other known drivers of change in environmental impact. The essence of each model is explained further in the paper with the fundamental differences among the three modeling approaches emphasized. This paper especially reviews the relative strengths and weaknesses of each of the three categories. Applications are noted for each category with combined applications of two approaches suggested as potentially offering the most value but such combinations have not yet received much attention.