IndEcol is an interdisciplinary research programme specialized in environmental sustainability analysis.

Our mission is to provide high quality research and education in the field of industrial ecology for supporting the global community in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Industrial Ecology Programme is a well-established interdisciplinary research group in the field of environmental sustainability analysis, with publications featured in top-ranked journals, direct contributions to assessment reports from the IPCC and the International Resource Panel. IndEcol is involved in European and national research projects, and is currently leading or participating in several large-scale projects and initiatives, including ERC Grants, National Centers for Research-based Innovation (SFI) and for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME). 

The programme was initiated in 1994 and covers several research disciplines and a comprehensive educational curriculum for master and PhD students. We established the world's first PhD programme in Industrial Ecology in 2003, and set up the international Master of Science in Industrial Ecology the following year. Read more about IndEcol's history.

Research Areas

Our research activities are framed around the recently adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and include four main thematic application areas:

• Ecosystems and Bioresources
• Energy, Transport and Buildings
• Circular Economy and Resources
• Sustainable Production and Consumption

We apply a variety of methods and approaches to address relevant environmental challenges that our society is facing and to identify strategies towards a more sustainable future. Methods include life-cycle assessment (LCA), material flow analysis (MFA), multi-regional input output (MRIO), ecosystem and climate models, remote-sensing data and field studies. 

How we work

We work together with national and international research partners, industry, and organizations to advance sustainability research and offer innovative solutions and strategies to solve environmental problems to decision makers at public and corporate levels.  

IndEcol firmly believes in an open and inclusive work environment based on collaborative practices and social activities. For example, we enhance knowledge transfer and cooperation in our team by organizing weekly seminars, and IndEcol’s female researchers are leading the EPT Women in Science group. In this context, yearly workshops are organized to offer training in diverse topics related to gender equality and leadership.