research

Research on construction material flows, climate mitigation, and biodiversity.

My research examines the carbon and biodiversity implications of construction materials, with a particular focus on cement, sand, and gravel.

Selected work

research projects

Biodiversity impacts of future aggregate mining

This project investigates how the extraction of construction aggregates—sand, gravel, and crushed stone—affects terrestrial biodiversity worldwide. By integrating global material flow analysis with spatial models of mining suitability and species richness, it quantifies the overlap between mining areas and high-richness regions. The results provide science-based insights to guide sustainable sourcing under future material-demand scenarios.

Decarbonizing China’s cement sector

My doctoral research developed an integrated framework to assess decarbonization pathways for China’s cement sector by linking material use, industrial emissions, and carbon uptake. It combines supply-side technologies such as carbon capture and storage with demand-side strategies such as more intensive use and lifetime extension of buildings. The framework helps identify pathways toward net-zero emissions while balancing societal material needs and climate goals.