Transformative change projects

Advancing transformative governance through Transboundary conservation and collaborative learning (NO, SK, PL, ZA, RO, HU)

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, sociology

Enabling Transformative Actions to Leverage Sustainability of Eurasian Grasslands (AT, CH, DK, HU, DE)

Topics: agricultural sciences, ecology, ecosystems, governance

In the heart of Africa’s lush forests lies a critical challenge: the delicate balance between preserving these ecosystems and lifting communities out of poverty. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) hold the key, but a lack of understanding has hindered their sustainable utilisation. In this context, the ERC-funded AFRIFOR project aims to bridge this knowledge gap. It […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences

Assisting Transformation Through Improved practice: Targeting Urgent Sustainable Development needs by Enabling restorative aquaculture (SE, NL, DE, IT, ES, DK)

Topics: biodiversity conservation, ecology, ecosystems, sociology

BAMBOO aims at developing new technologies addressing energy and resource efficiency challenges in 4 intensive industries (steel, petrochemical, minerals and pulp and paper). BAMBOO will scale up promising technologies to be adapted, tested and validated under real production conditions focus on three main innovation pillars: waste heat recovery, electrical flexibility and waste streams valorisation. These […]

Topics: biofuels, biomaterials, engineering and technology, industrial biotechnology

Science is important in informing policy. However, there is a disconnect between decision-makers and access to research-based knowledge on biodiversity. To shrink this gap, the EU-funded BioAgora project will develop the science pillar of the EU’s Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD). It is an initiative aimed at providing decision-makers with research-based knowledge on biodiversity in […]

Topics: governance, social sciences, sociology

Reversing BIOdiversity decline in DENsification strategies: systemic solutions and CITY modelling for transformative change (SE, IT, NL, FI)

A Roadmap for Fostering Human Wildlife Coexistance in Greening Cities (SE, ZA, DE, BE)

It is essential to value, protect and restore nature. This is the goal of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, which is a comprehensive plan to conserve biodiversity in Europe. The EU-funded Biodiversa-plus project is crucial for the successful implementation of the strategy. Bringing together 75 organisations from 37 countries, including environmental authorities, research ministries, funding […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences

Enabling biodiversity-positive transformation of energy planning towards climate neutrality (AT, DE, PL, DK, NL)

Achieving sustainable development includes mainstreaming biodiversity, which underpins the provision of food, fibre and water. It also mitigates and provides resilience to climate change. In this context, the EU-funded BIONEXT will develop knowledge, tools and guidance for mainstreaming biodiversity into policymaking. It will analyse the implications of transformative change in the biodiversity nexus for EU […]

Topics: biological sciences, computer and information sciences, databases, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences

Reforestation of forests and orchards after disturbances – A transformative action plan balancing socioeconomic and biodiversity needs (DE, IT, CH, SE, AT, FR, ES)

It is not enough to become net zero; our world needs to become nature-positive. Based on this disruptive idea, all our activities not only minimise nature loss but actually enhance nature and ecosystems. In this context, the EU-funded BIOTraCes project will develop knowledge, tools and novel approaches to enable transformative changes necessary for achieving a […]

Topics: agricultural sciences. agriculture, biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, forestry, forestry and fisheries, natural sciences

Evidence-Based Strategies for a Biodiversity-positive Renewable Energy Transition (SE, ES, NL, MD, SI)

The EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 is a key part of the European Green Deal. The aim is to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030. Research and innovation are key to delivering results. In this context, the EU-funded CLEVER project will identify new leverage points for sustainable transformation. Applying a novel […]

Topics: agricultural biotechnology, agricultural sciences, agriculture, biological sciences, biomass, business and management, commerce, ecology, economics and business, ecosystems, forestry, forestry and fisheries, governance, natural sciences, social sciences, sociology

Cities in the Global North are adopting green infrastructure to address climate risks, but concerns are growing about the displacement of lower-income and minority residents, a phenomenon known as ‘green climate gentrification.’ Despite its being recognised as an issue, few initiatives incorporate social provisions, leaving residents vulnerable. Funded by the European Research Council, the ClimateJusticeReady […]

Topics: social inequalities, social issues, social sciences, sociology

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) are cost-effective techniques and models inspired by nature to build more sustainable and resilient societies. However, NBSs do not support a just transformation of habits for sustainability. And they do not incorporate non-human actors or marginal and vulnerable humans as true beneficiaries of these solutions. The EU-funded COEVOLVERS project will reverse this […]

Topics: business and management, economics and business, entrepreneurship, governance, social sciences, sociology

Leveraging transformative capacities for the governance of human-bear-coexistence in Europe. An integrated socialecological-institutional approach (IT, CH, SI, DE, ES)

Engaging with biodiversity through walking interventions (FI, SE, NO, IS)

From Knowledge to Action: Empowerment and Training of Floodplain Restoration Managers (AT, DE, NL, DK)

Food systems are crucial to reduce hunger, but they are also causing increasingly severe damage to the environment and human health. The ERC project FLORA will provide essential evidence to identify and implement the necessary shifts in practices and behaviours to transform global agri-food production, trade and consumption towards sustainable and healthy food systems. The […]

Topics: agricultural sciences, agriculture, agriculture forestry and fisheries, earth and related environmental sciences, ecohydrology, economics, economics and business, engineering and technology, environmental engineering, hydrology, natural resources management, natural sciences, social sciences, sustainability sciences, sustainable agriculture, sustainable economy

Tropical forests are rapidly disappearing. In the last 60 years, more than half of the tropical forests worldwide have been destroyed. The EU-funded FORESTPOLICY project will improve our understanding of the conditions under which supply chain policies can lead to better conservation and livelihoods in the tropics. Specifically, it examines whether company policies to stop […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, governance, natural sciences, social sciences, sociology

Climate change is pushing ecosystems beyond known boundaries. Traditional conservation methods are no longer effective. Instead of resisting change, we should guide ecosystems towards desired outcomes. Assisted migration, the translocation of species to mimic range expansion under climate change, is a proposed strategy but faces controversy. Focusing on risks over benefits has hindered research and […]

Topics: big data, biodiversity conservation, biological sciences, computer and information sciences, data science, ecology, invasive species, natural sciences

There is a worldwide decline in wild species and ecosystems. However, we can reverse biodiversity loss by addressing consumption patterns and values, as well as leveraging digitalisation and emerging technologies. The EU-funded GoDigiBioS project aims to promote positive changes in biodiversity using new digital and emerging technologies to help reverse this decline. The project will […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, governance, natural sciences, social sciences, sociology

The world’s economic systems overlook nature’s value, leading to negative impacts on both planetary and human health. This negligence results in the degradation of land and marine ecosystems, costing approximately 10 % of the global gross product annually. Despite the potential for economic opportunities through nature restoration, the concept of a nature-positive economy remains poorly […]

Topics: agricultural sciences, agriculture forestry and fisheries, astronomy, biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, forestry, governance, natural sciences, physical sciences, planetary sciences, planets, social sciences, sociology

Bridging Ice Climate Technologies and Governance for Biodiversity in the Arctic (IS, NO, FI, ES, DE)

Invasion Syndromes: transforming the understanding and management of biological invasions (ES, ZA, IL, CZ, DE, TW, BR, SE, BE)

Green Energy Transitions in Europe: Impacts on Biodiversity, Landscapes and Justice (DE, ES, CZ, NL, CH, SE, IT)

Land degradation, a multifaceted and urgent challenge, results in a chain reaction of catastrophic consequences. It drives climate change, biodiversity loss, water pollution, and diminishes global agricultural productivity. To tackle this issue, the ERC-funded SHARE-CTD project develops a holistic approach. By combining global measurement, econometric research designs, and innovative machine learning, the project will provide […]

Topics: computer and information sciences, databases, earth and related environmental sciences, ecology, economics, economics and business, ecosystems, environmental sciences, natural sciences, political policies, political sciences, pollution biological sciences, production economics, productivity, public policies, social sciences

Enhancing PLurivErsality for a Human Rights-Based Approach: GoVERning the Climate-Biodiversity-Pollution Nexus (SE, BR, ES, IT, BE, CH)

Topics: earth and related environmental sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences

MANANDNATURE creates a body of research on natural resource management and energy use in developing countries with a focus on forest and ocean conservation, aiming (i) to bring novel, applied micro techniques from development economics to the study of environmental and energy economics, (ii) to harness new data collection technologies using satellites and randomized control […]

Topics: aerospace engineering, earth and related environmental sciences, economics, economics and business, engineering and technology, environmental sciences, mechanical engineering, natural sciences, pollution, production economics, productivity, satellite technology, social sciences, vehicle engineering

Biodiversity and Offshore Wind: Understanding Transformative Impacts on Marine Ecosystems (BE, NO, DE)

Socio-ecological planning of no-fishing MPA to benefit fisheries: MPA4Fish (NO, ZA, TR, IT, FR, BR, ES, IS, TN, SE)

Diversity in process: Towards multispecies assemblages for biodiversity governance (SE, FR, NL, DE, TN)

The spectacular growth of the global economy today is associated with some collateral consequences such as the rise of inequality, the increase of climate migrants and refugees as well as significant damages to the environment. As a result, new economic and social proposals inspired by non-extractive economic practices have emerged, such as the circular economy […]

Topics: law, social sciences

Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer transformative potential for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and social justice. However, as the value of NBS is increasingly contested, it is important to learn more about the synergies and trade-offs of implementing NBS at scale. The EU-funded NATURESCAPES project aims to understand how NBS can benefit diverse communities facing socio-economic […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, governance, human rights, law, natural sciences, social sciences, sociology

Designed to bring more nature and natural features and processes into our daily life, nature-based solutions (NbSs) also support economic growth, create jobs and improve our overall well-being. Nature can help provide viable solutions that provide sustainable, cost-effective, multipurpose and flexible alternatives. It can pave the way towards a more resource-efficient, competitive and greener economy. […]

Topics: business and management, business models, economics and business, innovation management, social sciences

Optimisation of Tree Species Selection for Improved Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (SE, NO, DK)

Peace and Conservation of Ecology at the Disputed Seas (DE, NL, TW)

Pathways of constructive conflict transformation to reach transformative change in wetland restoration (DE, BE, RO, ES)

Participatory Engagement for Adaptation and Conservation Efforts (DE, SE, CH, AT, ZA, NL)

Understanding Plural values, intersectionality, Leverage points, Attitudes, Norms, behaviour and social lEarning in Transformation for Biodiversity decision making

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems

Understanding and Shifting Power in Biodiversity Conservation by Integrating Insights from Social Change Movements (FR, DE, AT, SE)

Coastal ecosystems face escalating threats from biodiversity loss, endangering communities reliant on their resources. Human activities such as pollution and overfishing exacerbate these challenges, jeopardising the delicate balance of marine life. As coastal populations bear the brunt of these impacts, urgent action is imperative to safeguard both livelihoods and biodiversity. In response, the EU-funded PRO-COAST […]

Topics: biological sciences, civil society, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences, political policies, political sciences, social sciences

Every month, governments around the world gather to make important decisions to solve global environmental problems. However, their decisions often lead to new, and sometimes even more chronic and severe, environmental problems – what is known as global environmental problem-shifting. With over 800 international environmental treaties in force, the scale and complexity of environmental problem-shifting […]

Topics: governance, law, social sciences, sociology

A transformative production system for making rice paddies biodiverse and climate neutral (CH, BE, IT, TW,)

Food and biomass production systems are among the most prominent drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. Halting and reversing the lossof biodiversity therefore requires transformative change of food and biomass systems, addressing the nexus of agricultural production, processing and transport, retailing, consumer preferences and diets, as well as investment, climate action and ecosystem conservationand restoration. The […]

The challenge. With 65% of agricultural land in Africa degraded, the need to effectively scale up restoration is evident. Natural regeneration (NR) is a promising restoration solution that depends on vegetation regrowing from seed or tree stumps, without the need to plant trees. However, we do not know what regenerates where and what benefits it […]

Topics: natural sciences. biological sciences. Ecology. ecosystems

Fostering Systemic Societal Transformation for Biodiversity Conservation through Nature Re-Connection (PL, AT, DE)

Restoration and Depopulation Synergies for Nature (PL, BE, DK, ES, SK, RO, CZ)

There is an urgent need to understand the catastrophic effects that global environmental and climate change can have on the Earth, its system components and ecosystems. One area of critical concern is the imminent high-impact and abrupt tipping of ecosystems: irreversible situations in which, for example, the shift from savanna to desert, but also the […]

The Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) in south-central Africa is the world’s largest conservation landscape. The EU-funded REWILDING project will contribute to the emerging field of environmental humanities by focusing on the shifting entanglements between people, flora and fauna in KAZA TFCA. The project will employ an ethnographic approach to understand the changing relations […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecological restoration, ecology, ecosystem-based management, ecosystems, engineering and technology, environmental engineering, natural sciences

Current trends in data governance do not align well with indigenous peoples’ data rights and governance rules, as they have different epistemological traditions for using and sharing culturally sensitive information. Beyond issues regarding privacy, control and surveillance, this raises concerns related to people’s ability to exert data sovereignty over their natural resources or traditional knowledge. […]

Topics: governance, social sciences, sociology

Transforming fishing vessels into stewards to protect biodiversity through the integration of eDNA metabarcoding, satellite data and AI (IT, BR, SE)

Social-ecological Keystone Places for Transformative Change in Safeguarding Coastal Biodiversity (DE, BR, FR, TW, NO)

Rapid increases in food production to meet the growing needs of a growing population worldwide is resulting in water and land scarcity. The world’s population growth and climate change will represent further challenges for natural resources. Until now, scientists assess water and land scarcity separately. The EU-funded SOS.aquaterra project will assess water and land scarcity […]

Topics: astronomy, biochemistry, biological sciences, biomolecules, natural sciences, planetary sciences, planets, proteins

Building anticipatory governance of social-ecological tipping points in transformative change planning for ocean sustainability (FR, SE, DE, ES, ZA)

To reverse biodiversity loss and achieve nature-positive outcomes, it is necessary for countries worldwide to adopt transformative and system-wide changes in all sectors, including the economy and business. Our global economy is dependent on nature. It also plays a big role in its degradation. With this in mind, the EU-funded SUSTAIN project will bring together […]

Topics: biological sciences, computer and information sciences, databases, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences

Agricultural biodiversity includes all wild and domesticated forms of life found on farms – from plants and animals to soil organisms, pests and pollinators. Agriculture relies on biodiversity and vice versa. However, agricultural biodiversity is in decline across the EU. To find a solution, the EU-funded TC4BE project will support transdisciplinary research on different dimensions […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, governance, history, history and archaeology, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, sociology

Transformative change and Innovations for Diverse beach Ecosystems and sustainable Livelihoods through Enhanced wrack maNagEment Strategies (NL, ZA, DE, DK, ES, IT, BR)

Small-scale fisheries represent a significant source of food and livelihood for millions globally. In developing countries, they also play a central role in poverty eradication. To understand the cultural and economic significance of Latin American small-scale fisheries requires the engagement of archaeology and history. The EU-funded TRADITION project will investigate a 4 000-year-old record of […]

Topics: agricultural sciences, agriculture, agriculture forestry and fisheries, archaeology, fisheries, history, history and archaeology, humanities

One way to adapt to the impacts of climate change and slow further warming is to work with nature in its capacity to restore and protect ecosystems. Nature-based solutions (NBSs) is an umbrella term that covers different approaches, spanning ecosystem-based management, sustainable forest management and blue-green infrastructure. In this context, the EU-funded TRANS-lighthouses project will […]

Topics: ecology, ecosystems

Integrated Energy Transition Across Scales for Climate-Resilient, Nature-Positive Biodiversity Pathways (SE, DE, EE, ZA)

Litigators feature in a crucial role as we confront the pressing global environmental governance challenges of the 21st Century. They possess an agency which is capable of driving the evolution and implementation of law across national boundaries and at the supranational level. This project proposes to develop a groundbreaking, explanatory model of transnational collaborations among […]

Topics: earth and related environmental sciences, environmental sciences, governance, law, natural sciences, pollution, social sciences, sociology

When the transition to climate neutrality is successful, local communities and nature will flourish. With this in mind, the EU-funded TRANSPATH project will identify interventions to bring about transformative changes at consumer, producer and organisational levels. By drawing on the diverse contexts in Eastern and Western Europe, Africa and Latin America, the project will engage […]

Topics: biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences

Digital twin technology holds significant promise in developing solutions to mitigate the damage caused by climate change and facilitating the transition to greener alternatives. The European Commission is leveraging this technology to create a digital twin of the ocean (DTO), a highly accurate digital model aimed at facilitating studies, improving decision-making, and providing essential ocean […]

Topics: governance, social sciences, sociology

Urban sites can implement green infrastructures to encourage food production, promote air quality and temperature, and reduce environmental impact. The EU-funded URBAG project will investigate how urban and peri-urban green infrastructures can contribute to urban sustainability. It will assess which combinations of urban and peri-urban agriculture and green spaces have the best performance on local […]

Topics: agricultural sciences, agriculture, agriculture forestry and fisheries

Urbanization of the sea: assessing and managing the impact of Offshore Wind developments on open ocean biodiversity (SE, NO, DK, BE, DE, IT)

Transform urban flowerbeds for future: sustainable use and pollinator conservation (FR, DE, ES, CH)

As the global population grows, agricultural activities intensify, leading to increased fertiliser use and diffuse nutrient emissions. This escalating trend poses a significant threat to water bodies, as nutrient run-off from intensive farming practices degrades water quality. Traditional land and water management approaches often lack the precision needed to identify high-priority areas or offer spatially […]

Topics: agricultural sciences, agriculture, agriculture forestry and fisheries, biological sciences, ecology, ecosystems, natural sciences

Understanding and recognising wild products harvesting by Indigenous and Local communities to promote environmental justice and halt biodiversity erosion (FR, ZA, SE)

Bearded fireWORM invaSiOn: UnderwaTer monitoring, biodiversity and social impacts, PotentiaL indUstrial application and mitigation Strategies (IT, SI, TN, FR, TR, RO, ES)