Recommended Citations

This file lists all recommended citations when using pyaesa, covering data
sources and methodological references.

Sections are organized as package citation, data sources, methodological
references, and an AESA phase citation checklist.

1. Use of PyAESA

Please cite these references when using pyaesa, and when using ASOCC methods documented
by the package methodological notes.

Pirson, T., de Bantel, E. I., Puig-Samper, G., Hartmann, J. M., von der
Assen, N., Owsianiak, M., Clavreul, J., Bouillass, G., Yannou, B.,
Jankovic, M., & Bol, D. (2026, May 17-21). PyUNCASE: Towards a Python package
for systematically allocating carrying capacities under uncertainty in AESA
[Conference abstract]. SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting, Maastricht,
Netherlands. SETAC. https://setac.confex.com/setac/europe2026/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/32699

de Bantel, E. I., Pirson, T., Puig-Samper, G., Hartmann, J. M., Bouillass, G.,
Yannou, B., Jankovic, M., Bol, D., & Hauschild, M. Z.
UNCASExt -- Extending the UNCASE Framework to Quantify Uncertainties in
Retrospective and Prospective Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessments
(AESA) [Manuscript submitted for publication].

2. DATA SOURCES

Use this section when results computed with pyaesa rely on population, GDP,
MRIO, or AR6 climate pathway inputs. 

Population, GDP, and MRIO inputs can be
used by allocation methods; MRIO inputs can also be used by IO-LCA; AR6 climate
pathway inputs are used for dynamic climate change carrying capacities.

2.1 Population and GDP

World Bank historical population and GDP are used by download_pop_gdp(...) and
process_pop_gdp(...), and by allocation methods that request historical
population, GDP, or GDP per capita inputs.

Source:
World Bank World Development Indicators:
https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators


SSP population projections are used by download_pop_gdp(...) and
process_pop_gdp(...), and by prospective allocation methods that request
population inputs.

Citation:
KC, S., Moradhvaj, Potančoková, M., Adhikari, S., Yildiz, D., Mamolo, M.,
Sobotka, T., Zeman, K., Abel, G., Lutz, W., & Goujon, A. (2024). Wittgenstein
Center (WIC) Population and Human Capital Projections - 2023 (Version V13)
[Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10618931

SSP GDP projections are used by download_pop_gdp(...) and process_pop_gdp(...)
and by prospective allocation methods that request GDP or GDP per capita inputs.

Citation:
Crespo Cuaresma, J. (2017). Income projections for climate change research: A
framework based on human capital dynamics. Global Environmental Change, 42,
226-236.

2.2 MRIO tables

2.2.1 EXIOBASE 3.10.2

exiobase_3102 is used by download_mrio(...) and
process_mrio(...) when this MRIO source is selected. 

Citations:
Stadler, K. (2021). Pymrio: A Python-based multi-regional input-output analysis
toolbox. Journal of Open Research Software, 9(1).
https://doi.org/10.5334/jors.251

Stadler, K., Wood, R., Bulavskaya, T., Södersten, C.-J., Simas, M., Schmidt,
S., Usubiaga, A., Acosta-Fernández, J., Kuenen, J., Bruckner, M., Giljum, S.,
Lutter, S., Merciai, S., Schmidt, J. H., Theurl, M. C., Plutzar, C., Kastner,
T., Eisenmenger, N., Erb, K.-H., ... Tukker, A. (2018). EXIOBASE 3: Developing
a time series of detailed environmentally extended multi-regional input-output
tables. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 22(3), 502-515.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12715

Stadler, K., Wood, R., Bulavskaya, T., Södersten, C.-J., Simas, M., Schmidt,
S., Usubiaga, A., Acosta-Fernández, J., Kuenen, J., Bruckner, M., Giljum, S.,
Lutter, S., Merciai, S., Schmidt, J. H., Theurl, M. C., Plutzar, C., Kastner,
T., Eisenmenger, N., Erb, K.-H., ... Tukker, A. (2026). EXIOBASE 3 (3.10.2)
[Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20051562

2.2.2 OECD ICIO v2025

oecd_v2025 is used by download_mrio(...) and process_mrio(...) when OECD ICIO
v2025 is selected.

Citations:
OECD Inter Country Input Output Tables:
https://www.oecd.org/en/data/datasets/inter-country-input-output-tables.html

Yamano, N., and coauthors. (2023). Development of the OECD Inter-Country
Input-Output Database 2023. OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working
Papers, 2023/08. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5a5d0665-en

Stadler, K. (2021). Pymrio: A Python-based multi-regional input-output analysis
toolbox. Journal of Open Research Software, 9(1).
https://doi.org/10.5334/jors.251

2.3 AR6 climate pathways for dynamic carrying capacities

2.3.1 AR6 scenario database

The AR6 Scenarios Database hosted by IIASA is used by download_ar6(...),
process_ar6(...), deterministic_ar6_cc(...), dynamic AR6 carrying capacity
routes in ACC and ASR.

Citation:
Byers, E., Krey, V., Kriegler, E., Riahi, K., Schaeffer, R., Kikstra, J.,
Lamboll, R., Nicholls, Z., Sandstad, M., Smith, C., van de Wijst, K.-I.,
Al Khourdajie, A., Lecocq, F., Portugal-Pereira, J., Saheb, Y., Stromann, A.,
Winkler, H., Auer, C., Brutschin, E., ... van Vuuren, D. (2022). AR6 Scenarios
Database hosted by IIASA [Data set]. International Institute for Applied
Systems Analysis. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5886911

Scenario Explorer:
https://data.ece.iiasa.ac.at/ar6/

Citation guidance:
https://data.ece.iiasa.ac.at/ar6/static/About.html

2.3.2 PRIMAP-hist historical emissions

PRIMAP-hist historical Kyoto Gases and CO2 baselines are used by
process_ar6(...) when building harmonized AR6 climate pathways for dynamic
carrying capacity outputs.

Citation:
Gutschow, J., Jeffery, L., Gieseke, R., Gebel, R., Stevens, D., Krapp, M., &
Rocha, M. (2016). The PRIMAP-hist national historical emissions time series.
Earth System Science Data, 8, 571-603.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-8-571-2016

2.3.3 Global Carbon Budget bunker CO2 additions

The Global Carbon Budget national fossil dataset is used by process_ar6(...) to
add bunker CO2 emissions to the historical baseline when building harmonized
AR6 climate pathways for dynamic carrying capacity outputs.

Source:
Global Carbon Budget latest data:
https://globalcarbonbudget.org/the-latest-gcb-data/

Citation status:
download_ar6(...) extracts the latest recommended Global Carbon Budget citation from
the source page.

2.3.4 AR6 harmonization method

Emissions harmonization is used by process_ar6(...) when harmonizing
AR6 scenario pathways to historical emissions for dynamic carrying capacities.

The pyaesa implementation is documented in UNCASExt methodology and in the
methodological_note__steady_state__dynamic_cc.pdf.

Citations:
Gidden, M. J., Fujimori, S., van den Berg, M., Klein, D., Smith, S. J.,
van Vuuren, D. P., & Riahi, K. (2018). A methodology and implementation of
automated emissions harmonization for use in Integrated Assessment Models.
Environmental Modelling & Software, 105, 187-200.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.04.002

Pirson, T., de Bantel, E. I., Puig-Samper, G., Hartmann, J. M., von der
Assen, N., Owsianiak, M., Clavreul, J., Bouillass, G., Yannou, B.,
Jankovic, M., & Bol, D. (2026, May 17-21). PyUNCASE: Towards a Python package
for systematically allocating carrying capacities under uncertainty in AESA
[Conference abstract]. SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting, Maastricht,
Netherlands. SETAC. https://setac.confex.com/setac/europe2026/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/32699

de Bantel, E. I., Pirson, T., Puig-Samper, G., Hartmann, J. M., Bouillass, G.,
Yannou, B., Jankovic, M., Bol, D., & Hauschild, M. Z.
UNCASExt -- Extending the UNCASE Framework to Quantify Uncertainties in
Retrospective and Prospective Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessments
(AESA) [Manuscript submitted for publication].

3. METHODOLOGICAL REFERENCES

3.1 LCIA method: pb_lcia

....
Carrying capacity thresholds
....

Planetary boundaries framework

Citations:
Steffen, W., Richardson, K., Rockström, J., Cornell, S. E., Fetzer, I.,
Bennett, E. M., Biggs, R., & de Vries, W. (2015). Planetary boundaries:
Guiding human development on a changing planet. Science, 347(6223), Article
1259855. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1259855

Richardson, K., Steffen, W., Lucht, W., Bendtsen, J., Cornell, S. E.,
Donges, J. F., Drüke, M., Fetzer, I., Bala, G., von Bloh, W., Feulner, G.,
Fiedler, S., Gerten, D., Gleeson, T., Hofmann, M., Huiskamp, W., Kummu, M.,
Mohan, C., Nogués-Bravo, D., ... Rockström, J. (2023). Earth beyond six of
nine planetary boundaries. Science Advances, 9(37), eadh2458.
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh2458

Sakschewski, B., Caesar, L., Andersen, L. S., Bechthold, M., Bergfeld, L.,
Beusen, A., Billing, M., Bodirsky, B. L., Botsyun, S., Dennis, D. P.,
Donges, J. F., Dou, X., Eriksson, A. C., Fetzer, I., Gerten, D., Häyhä, T.,
Hebden, S., Heckmann, T., Heilemann, A., ... Rockström, J. (2025). Planetary
Health Check 2025: A Scientific Assessment of the State of the Planet.
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
https://doi.org/10.48485/pik.2025.017

....
Characterization matrix
....

The pb_lcia characterization matrix is used by process_mrio(...),
deterministic_io_lca(...), deterministic_asocc(...), deterministic_acc(...),
deterministic_asr(...), and uncertainty variants when pb_lcia is selected and
EXIOBASE LCIA characterization is required.

Citations:
Original method:
Ryberg, M. W., Owsianiak, M., Richardson, K., & Hauschild, M. Z. (2018).
Development of a life-cycle impact assessment methodology linked to the
Planetary Boundaries framework. Ecological Indicators, 88, 250-262.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.12.065

Adaptation to Exiobase:
Yang, Q., & Paulillo, A. (2026). Quantifying environmental impacts on planetary
boundaries: A refined and validated impact assessment method. Environmental
Impact Assessment Review, 119, 108355.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108355

Yang, Q., & Paulillo, A. (2025). Advancing Planetary Boundaries Allocation:
Systematic comparison of sharing principles for national level absolute
environmental sustainability assessments. Procedia CIRP, 135, 875-880.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2024.12.087

Biodiversity Intactness Index method:
Galan Martin, A., Tulus, V., Diaz, I., Pozo, C., Perez Ramirez, J., & Guillen
Gosalbez, G. (2021). Sustainability footprints of a renewable carbon transition
for the petrochemical sector within planetary boundaries. One Earth, 4(4),
565-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.04.001

Vazquez, D., Galan Martin, A., Tulus, V., & Guillen Gosalbez, G. (2023). Level
of decoupling between economic growth and environmental pressure on Earth
system processes. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 43, 217-229.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.11.001

3.2 LCIA method: gwp100_lcia

....
Carrying capacity thresholds
....

Steady state climate carrying capacity:
The gwp100_lcia steady state climate carrying capacity is used by
deterministic_acc(...), deterministic_asr(...), and uncertainty variants when
lcia_method="gwp100_lcia" and static carrying capacities are selected.

Citations:
Sanyé-Mengual, E., & Sala, S. (2023). Consumption footprint and domestic
footprint: Assessing the environmental impacts of EU consumption and
production: Life cycle assessment to support the European Green Deal. European
Commission, Joint Research Centre. https://doi.org/10.2760/218540

Sala, S., Crenna, E., Secchi, M., & Sanyé-Mengual, E. (2020). Environmental
sustainability of European production and consumption assessed against
planetary boundaries. Journal of Environmental Management, 269, 110686.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110686

Bjørn, A., & Hauschild, M. Z. (2015). Introducing carrying capacity-based
normalisation in LCA: Framework and development of references at midpoint
level. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 20(7), 1005-1018.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-0899-2

Dynamic climate carrying capacity:
When lcia_method="gwp100_lcia" is used with dynamic climate carrying
capacities, cite the AR6 climate pathways and harmonization method references
of Section 2.3.

....
Characterization matrix
....

The gwp100_lcia characterization matrix is used by process_mrio(...),
deterministic_io_lca(...), deterministic_asocc(...), deterministic_acc(...),
deterministic_asr(...), and uncertainty variants when gwp100_lcia is selected
and EXIOBASE LCIA characterization is required.

Citations:
Yang, Q., & Paulillo, A. (2026). Quantifying environmental impacts on planetary
boundaries: A refined and validated impact assessment method. Environmental
Impact Assessment Review, 119, 108355.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2026.108355

Yang, Q., & Paulillo, A. (2025). Advancing Planetary Boundaries Allocation:
Systematic comparison of sharing principles for national level absolute
environmental sustainability assessments. Procedia CIRP, 135, 875-880.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2024.12.087

Andreasi Bassi, S., Biganzoli, F., Ferrara, N., Amadei, A., Valente, A.,
Sala, S., & Ardente, F. (2023). Updated characterisation and normalisation
factors for the Environmental Footprint 3.1 method. Publications Office of the
European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/798894

3.3 Carrying capacity method: ef_3.1

....
Carrying capacity thresholds
....

ef_3.1 carrying capacities are used by deterministic_acc(...),
deterministic_asr(...), and uncertainty variants when lcia_method="ef_3.1".
The package currently provides ef_3.1 as a carrying capacity reference,
not yet among available EXIOBASE LCIA characterization matrices.

Citations:
Sanyé-Mengual, E., & Sala, S. (2023). Consumption footprint and domestic
footprint: Assessing the environmental impacts of EU consumption and
production: Life cycle assessment to support the European Green Deal. European
Commission, Joint Research Centre. https://doi.org/10.2760/218540

Sala, S., Crenna, E., Secchi, M., & Sanyé-Mengual, E. (2020). Environmental
sustainability of European production and consumption assessed against
planetary boundaries. Journal of Environmental Management, 269, 110686.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110686

....
Characterization matrix
....

pyaesa does not yet provide an EXIOBASE LCIA characterization matrix for ef_3.1.

3.4 LCIA uncertainty source

EXIOBASE carbon account coefficients of variations (CoVs) are used by
uncertainty_io_lca(...), uncertainty_asocc(...), uncertainty_acc(...), and
uncertainty_asr(...) when LCIA uncertainty is activated.

Citation:
Rodrigues, J. F. D., Moran, D., Wood, R., & Behrens, P. (2018). Uncertainty of
consumption-based carbon accounts. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(13),
7577-7586. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b00632

Puig-Samper, G., Owsianiak, M., Clavreul, J., Jeandaux, C., Prieur-Vernat, A.,
& Gondran, N. (2025). Quantifying uncertainties in absolute environmental
sustainability assessment: A general framework applied to French electricity
production. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 54, 12-24.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.12.013

3.5 ASOCC methods and uncertainty sources

The allocation method definitions and mathematical expressions are defined by
the UNCASExt framework (de Bantel et al., 2026). For precise references per
allocation method, see methodological_note__asocc_fus_allocation_methods.pdf,
which is an abstract of the UNCASExt article. Also cite the selected input data
sections used by the run, for example MRIO, population and GDP, LCIA methods,
and LCIA uncertainty sources.

Recommended citations:
Pirson, T., de Bantel, E. I., Puig-Samper, G., Hartmann, J. M., von der
Assen, N., Owsianiak, M., Clavreul, J., Bouillass, G., Yannou, B.,
Jankovic, M., & Bol, D. (2026, May 17-21). PyUNCASE: Towards a Python package
for systematically allocating carrying capacities under uncertainty in AESA
[Conference abstract]. SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting, Maastricht,
Netherlands. SETAC. https://setac.confex.com/setac/europe2026/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/32699

de Bantel, E. I., Pirson, T., Puig-Samper, G., Hartmann, J. M., Bouillass, G.,
Yannou, B., Jankovic, M., Bol, D., & Hauschild, M. Z.
UNCASExt -- Extending the UNCASE Framework to Quantify Uncertainties in
Retrospective and Prospective Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessments
(AESA) [Manuscript submitted for publication].

Puig-Samper, G., Owsianiak, M., Clavreul, J., Jeandaux, C., Prieur-Vernat, A.,
& Gondran, N. (2025). Quantifying uncertainties in absolute environmental
sustainability assessment: A general framework applied to French electricity
production. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 54, 12-24.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.12.013