News
Towards a circular and climate-positive society
Globally, the volume of (virgin) raw materials that humanity uses to produce food, products and energy systematically exceeds the availability of finite natural resources. At the same time, the emission of minerals and greenhouse gases into the environment results in pollution and climate change.
This linear system is no longer sustainable. Which is why a transition to the circular use of water, nutrients and carbon, combined with minimal loss of natural resources, is essential. Only then can the climate recover and continue to feed our growing global population and increasingly supply biomass for energy and materials.
In the research theme, ‘Towards a circular and climate-positive society’, Wageningen University & Research focuses on new production systems for food and non-food products. In our vision, these systems must not only be circular and climate neutral, they must go further. With research that contributes to circular as well as climate-positive production systems on land and in water.
In the investment theme 'Transformative bioeconomy’, the focus is on the transition to renewable materials. In doing so, it links the scientific domains of sustainable and equitable transitions and technology for renewable carbon production, reuse, recycling and dematerialisation. This includes the textile, interior design and housing sectors, but the methods and principles developed also focus on broader relevance for research and education.
Socio-economic, technological and ecological
On 5 November 2024, knowledge about both themes came together at the 'Transition to a circular bioeconomy’ event. The 150 participants - mainly WUR colleagues along with representatives from various Ministries, companies, other education and innovation organisations and NGOs - explored the role of research in the transition to a climate-neutral, circular, bio-based and fossil-free society.
During 17 workshops, socio-economic, technological and ecological approaches to the required transition were the subject of knowledge exchange and the related discussion.
By way of introduction, Prof. Marko Hekkert gave an engaging keynote lecture, in which he advocated a multidisciplinary approach and, to innovate in the right direction, a mission-oriented innovation system (MIS).
Collaboration is needed for complex transitions
During the panel discussion on 'Role and significance of WUR research in the transition to a circular bioeconomy', it became clear again and again that cooperation between interested parties from the areas of research, policy, industry and society is needed to tackle these complex transitions. There was also a recommendation for more focus and continuity in the knowledge agenda and their instruments, as well as more opportunities to finance the social side of transition with a focus on the human capital agenda.