Coupling input–output analysis with multiobjective linear programming models for the study of economy–energy–environment–social (E3S) trade-offs: a review

The study of the interactions between the economy (at national, global and local levels), the energy sector and the corresponding impacts on the environment inherently involves multiple axes of evaluation of distinct policies. Input–output (IO) analysis offers a consistent framework for developing multiobjective models for assessing the trade-offs associated with those policies. The analytical framework of IO analysis enables to model the interactions between the whole economy and the energy sector, thus identifying the energy required for the provision of goods and services in an economy and also quantifying the corresponding pollutant emissions. This paper is aimed at reviewing the different modelling approaches available in the scientific literature based on coupling IO analysis with multiobjective models, which can be particularly useful for policy makers to assess the trade-offs between the economy–energy–environment–social pillars of sustainable development, particularly relevant in the current sluggish economic context.