Tool Details

REAP is an input-output model that distinguishes between products produced in the UK and those imported from the ‘rest of the world’. The input-output methodology used makes this tool unlike other life cycle assessment tools as it is driven by the activity sector classification rather than product/process specification. The advantage is that all emission are accounted for each sector, whereas they may be 'left out' of an LCA if the scoping boundaries are set too narrowly. The sectors cover a range from agricultural and manufacturing industries to transport, recreational, health and financial services, and are classified using the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System. Within the model, scenarios can be created by the user to explore the impact of measures on environmental indicators. While the input-output methodology means that sectoral emissions are more complete, the tool is less able to run detailed scenarios to assess the impact of specific transport measures. REAP does not covert policies into a change in the footprint directly. Instead it converts changes in specific variables into changes in the footprint. Any policy or trend must therefore be defined in terms of a REAP variable. In order to translate a policy or trend into a REAP variable you must know what the REAP variables are and what units of measurement they use – for energy use this is kWh per person per year. Although REAP has been used for transport modelling, the variable are limited and include: Distance travelled (pass-km per person per year); Occupancy rates; Efficiency of vehicles; and Car ownership (per 1000 people).