Emmanuel Aramendia

Profile

I am a PhD candidate in ecological economics at the Sustainability Research Institute. I have an engineering background and hold a MSc degree in Environmental Management and Sustainability from Aalaborg University (Denmark). My research focuses on the energy constraints that may arise in a resource finite world. Understanding such constraints is crucial as it emphasises the risks of clinging to the current economic growth paradigm, as well as the urgent need for a post-growh economic strategy, and brings about the question of a fair distribution of wealth and resources within biophysical limits.

Besides research activities, I am engaged in teaching activities in the “Economics and Sustainability” and “Tools and Techniques in Ecological Economics” modules, which I enjoy!

Research interests

My PhD thesis attempts to provide further insights on the energy constraints that may arise and constrain the economy in a finite world. Such constraints include the depletion of non-renewable resources (such as fossil fuels and minerals), the increasing energy costs of extraction associated with non-renewable resources depletion (sometimes quantified through the Energy Return On Investment – EROI – metric), and the much needed energy transition towards Renewable Energy Systems to lower greenhouse gases emissions. In other words, my research is about exploring limits to growth and the need for a post-growth economy, through energy lens.

I am keen on using a wide range of techniques in my research, including Index Decomposition Analysis, Multi-Regional Input Output Analysis, Econometrics, Exergy Analysis, and System Dynamics Modelling.

Other research interests include energy-economy modelling, climate change, social justice, degrowth, political economy, and post-keynesian economics.

Qualifications

  • MSc in Environmental Management and Sustainability, Aalborg University
  • MSc in Engineering, Ecole Centrale de Nantes

Research groups and institutes

  • Sustainability Research Institute
  • Economics and Policy for Sustainability
  • Energy and Climate Change Mitigation