Speaker
Description
Introduction
To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, development of a bioeconomy, in which the production and processing of foods and non-food products is balanced with the conservation of natural resources, is a key target of public policies (Wohlfahrt et al., 2019). Regional approaches that combine diverse strategies, including agroecological systems, optimised resource use, collective action, and virtuous circles of interactions (e.g., circular economies, stronger rural-urban links) is a well-recognized strategy to develop territorial bioeconomic systems (Axelos et al., 2020). Development and application of Integrated assessment model (IAM) is a powerful approach that stakeholders can use when designing such socioeconomic territorial organisations (Allain et al., 2020). These models aims to integrate generic multidisciplinary knowledge together with the empirical knowledge of local stakeholders (Hamilton et al., 2015). They are then used to simulate and evaluate ex ante scenarios in which regional structures undergo endogenous or exogenous changes as climate change (Dardonville et al., 2023).
Objectives
The SLAM-B project (2023-208, 6,5 M€) aims to group and structure French researchers developing and applying IAMs to collaboratively design a sustainable bioeconomy based on agroecology. SLAM-B will examine the influences of different bioeconomic forces, including the diversity of production systems, raw materials and finished products, biorefineries, recycling loops, and industry architecture. SLAM-B aims to tackle major scientific challenges via three specific actions: (i) developing generic IAM approaches for designing and assessing bioeconomy and agroecology transitions; (ii) demonstrating their practical utility in living labs; and (iii) producing tailored knowledge for French and European policymakers.
Procedure
SLAM-B is organised into three interconnected work packages (WPs). WP1 aims to amplify functionalities of the MAELIA platform (maelia-platform.inra.fr). Specifically, it will integrate a range of new capacities for modelling and simulations of very contrasted livestock systems and environmental biorefineries, optimisation of spatial allocation of biomass plants, spatialised and territorial life cycle analysis, and local planetary boundaries assessment. To provide proof of concept for MAELIA-based IAMs, WP2 will establish and run seven living labs: 4 in France metropole (Armorique, Vosges, Vaucluse, Greater Reims), and three outside (Réunion and Guadeloupe islands, and Northern Senegal). These labs cover a vast range of pedoclimatic, agricultural, forestry, urban, and socioeconomic conditions. Finally, WP3 aims to create and apply IAMs at national and European scales. The objective is three-fold: quantify biomass available to different bioeconomy chains issued from agroecological and well-managed forestry systems considering potential organic waste recycling, evaluate biogas production potential and energy efficiency of bioeconomic systems based on agroecology.
Conclusion
SLAM-B will rely on the expertise of about 120 researchers from INRAE, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, and a variety of French universities. Their work covers an array of topics: agronomy, social-ecological system analysis and modelling, chemical and bioprocess engineering, sustainability assessment and decision-making, political science, economics, and informatics. SLAM-B’s aims at enhancing the visibility of French researchers working on IAM approaches to design transitional pathways towards a sustainable bioeconomy based on agroecological systems.
Bibliography
Allain, S., Plumecocq, G., Leenhardt, D., 2020. Linking deliberative evaluation with integrated assessment and modelling: A methodological framework and its application to agricultural water management. Futures 120, 102566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2020.102566
Axelos, M., Bamière, L., Colin, F., Dourmad, J.-Y., Duru, M., Gillot, S., Kurek, B., Jean-Denis, M., Requillart, V., Méry, J., others, 2020. Réflexion prospective interdisciplinaire bioéconomie-Rapport de synthèse (PhD Thesis). INRAE.
Dardonville, M., Catarino, R., Therond, O., 2023. Sustainability and resilience against climate change provided by a territorial crop-livestock system. J. Clean. Prod. 139646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139646
Hamilton, S.H., ElSawah, S., Guillaume, J.H.A., Jakeman, A.J., Pierce, S.A., 2015. Integrated assessment and modelling: Overview and synthesis of salient dimensions. Env. Model Softw 64, 215–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.12.005
Wohlfahrt, J., Ferchaud, F., Gabrielle, B., Godard, C., Kurek, B., Loyce, C., Therond, O., 2019. Characteristics of bioeconomy systems and sustainability issues at the territorial scale. A review. J. Clean. Prod. 232, 898–909.
| Keywords | carbon neutrality; integrated assessment and modelling; living lab; agroecology |
|---|
