Methods in Environmental Systems Analysis: Exploring Health Risks, Material Flows, and Circular Economy Pathways

This presentation introduces the research focus and analytical framework of the Environmental Systems Analysis Laboratory (ESAL) at the Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, led by Professor Hwong-Wen Ma. ESAL is committed to developing integrated methods for environmental assessment and management, aiming to support strategic decision-making through interdisciplinary approaches. The lab specializes in four key methodologies: Health Risk Assessment (HRA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Input-Output Analysis (IOA). These tools are employed to investigate complex environmental issues, including public health risks, resource use patterns, and strategies for advancing a circular economy. This presentation provides an overview of these methods and demonstrates how they are applied in ESAL’s research to address real-world sustainability challenges.