Programmes
Wageningen Environmental Research offers a combination of practical, innovative and interdisciplinary scientific research across many disciplines related to the green world around us and the sustainable use of our living environment. Our research, carried out together with chair groups, is focused in five comprehensive programmes.
Biodiverse environment
Everything we eat is directly or indirectly derived from either wild or domesticated biodiversity. The bulk of what we build with, make medicines from and use as industrial raw materials comes from biological resources. Many forms of tourism revolve around nature. Biodiversity represents enormous economic value, and at least 40% of the world economy and 80% of the needs of the world’s poorest depend on biological resources.
Green Climate Solutions
We can no longer ignore the fact that the world's climate is becoming more unpredictable and more extreme. As water levels rise, the risk of flooding looms large. At the same time, periods of drought are becoming longer and more frequent. Yet, our most precious resource – our planet's biosphere – is not only under threat. It is also the source of many of our solutions. Green Climate Solutions is the Wageningen Environmental Research programme that applies our understanding of nature and natural processes to address the challenges of climate change.
Metropolitan solutions
In 2050, about 70% of the global population will live in cities. As a result, problems concerning sustainability and quality of life are becoming increasingly urgent for these urban areas. Wageningen wants to achieve metropolitan solutions with the aim of realising cities and metropolitan areas that – in close relationship with the surrounding rural areas – are liveable, healthy and resilient, and have circular economies. We address aspects such as heat islands, flooding, food supply, air quality, urban agriculture and liveability, as well as urban policy and urban planning.
Sustainable Land Use
Sustainable Land Use ensures a fair and balanced distribution of land, water, biodiversity and other environmental resources between the various competing claims, in other to secure human needs now and in the future.
Sustainable Water Management
The daily impact of droughts and flooding is felt by industry, businesses, farmers and civilians around the world. Extreme weather events, natural disasters, failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation, water crises, and large-scale involuntary migration are amongst the most likely and impactful current global risks. By delivering innovations and strategies, Wageningen researchers increase the economic, social and environmental values of water for our partners.