Systems Analysis Tools Framework for the EU Bio-Based Economy Strategy (SAT-BBE)

SAT-BBE studies the contribution of a bio-economy in different areas to ensure long term economic and environmental sustainability.

Overview

One of the biggest challenges facing global society today is the provision of food, water, energy, healthcare and other resources and services to a world that will see its population increase by a third in the face of mounting environmental stresses over the next 20 years. Given that the lead time for some social and technological solutions is long, there is a need for a framework to structure long-term analytical capacity for providing guidance for the execution of consistent, coherent, long-term strategies with desirable consequences, putting into focus the bio-economy as an increasingly leading part of the economic system. Inherent in this framework is the integration of the rapid developments in bio-technology, with far-reaching impacts in the fields of agriculture (and fisheries), human health, and industrial production.

SAT-BBE brings together a consortium of internationally recognized and respected researchers in bio-based economy and sustainability at the European and global levels. IIASA is part of this consortium. 

IIASA Research

The consortium will design a systems analysis tools framework using their broad experience of modelling the economy in the perspective of bio-based and sustainability objectives. A systems analysis tools framework has the purpose to understand the functional requirements of a bio-based economy and to measure the necessary extent for transformation of the economy as a whole to a bio-based foundation. It implies the capacity to understand relations between parts, and the nature of both the parts and their relationships. Tools are modelling and non-modelling analytical methods, organised in evaluation methodologies. The project will match the tools with the requirements of the systems analysis and ensure that links between the tools and their access by non-specialists are explicitly addressed. Data requirements and indicators are designed according to the inputs required, and the outputs desired, for the type of analyses intended.



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Last edited: 05 May 2015

Timeframe

Nov 2012 - May 2015

FURTHER INFORMATION

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313