Circular and climate-neutral (KB-34)

Most of the raw materials used in our society are applied in disposable goods. There is a broad consensus that this linear system is no longer sustainable. A transition towards circular usage of water, nutrients and carbon, in combination with a minimal loss of natural resources, is needed. Only then will our climate recover, and will we be able to continue feeding the ever-growing world population.

Towards a circular and climate-positive society

In the research programme ‘Towards a circular and climate-positive society’, Wageningen University & Research strives to develop new production systems for food and non-food products. We believe these systems should not only be circular and climate-neutral but should even have favourable effects on our climate. We conduct research that contributes to circular and climate-positive production systems on land and in water.

We are working on the transition towards a circular a climate-positive society through four interlinked topics:

1. Management of transitions

Within the area Building blocks for governance, we develop instruments that facilitate the transition towards a circular and climate-positive society.

Read more about developing tools for managing and monitoring transitions

We develop a conceptual framework and (model) toolsets capable of mapping the effects of policy. We draw up indicators to measure the influence of new bio-based products on ecosystems and agroproduction and to monitor how new products can be brought to market. We also identify the most critical barriers and develop strategies that can effectively contribute to this transition. Thus, we use research to enable the expansion of promising experiments.

2. Primary production systems

The new circular, climate-positive society demands new primary production systems.

Read more about redesigning the production of biological resources

Within this second area, we study how we may transform current production systems into a circular system. We also consider what the biomass needs of this new society are, and how and where this biomass can best be produced. This study is conducted while taking into account issues such as climate change, and claims on land placed by other transitions. Furthermore, we work on mapping and developing solutions for human and animal health issues that may arise from closing cycles. And we look at the best options to use the primary production system as a sink to store greenhouse gasses.

3. Biobased products

The new biobased economy leaves no room for fossil-based products.

Read more about diversifying the use of biomass feedstock

This means that the industry should make more biobased, circular products. In this third research area, we apply our knowledge on the characteristics of biomass, biological and biotechnological processes, cultivation methods and new chemistry with which sustainable proteins are extracted from biomass, and we develop biobased alternatives for fossil-based resources.

4. Assessment of syngergies and trade-offs

This sizeable project with regard to the assessment of synergies and trade-offs links all the KB-34 ‘Circular and climate neutral’ themes.

Read more about the Assessment of synergies and trade-offs

We combine expertise in the area of indicators, models and their integration and scenario development to assess policies and measures for sustainable transitions. We focus on data availability (WUR Open Science), transparency in data quality and methods for the translation of data to connect models at various scales – from ‘farm to world’. The project comprises connected models and the integrated application of models in the area of climate and fossil-free topics.

Impact in 2030

Our aim is for Wageningen University & Research to contribute significantly to a circular and climate-positive society by the year 2030. An environmentally friendly society where contemporary production systems have given way to closed-cycle biobased systems beneficial to humans, animals and the world.

Blog series Circular and Climate Neutral

View the entire blog series

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the circular bio-economy in the videos below:

How can we extract nutrients from manure and turn them into useful products?

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How does one start the transition to a circular economy?

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How does circular agriculture contribute to biodiversity?

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How does a circular economy lead to less greenhouse gas and climate repair?

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Why is sustainable use of our soil so important?

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Featured projects

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News

Other news

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Film

The circular household; How do we live inside our houses?

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The circular household; Our living environment

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Using manure to grow insects for chicken feed

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