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EXPECT-AGRI: The Political Economy of Expectations in Agri-Food Sustainability Transformations

Research Project | 6 Project Members

Content and aim of the research project
The project compares the implementation of four supply chain sustainability laws (from the EU and Switzerland) with a focus on deforestation, child labor, and poverty reduction. We investigate the expectations of economic and social actors regarding these laws; explore whether and how companies influence the interpretation of the laws; analyze which changes (e.g. better traceability, more investment in local projects) can be attributed to the legislation; and discuss how non-compliant companies are punished. We also compare three products (coffee, cocoa, and palm oil) and two producing countries (Colombia and Côte d'Ivoire).
The aim of the research is to understand the conditions under which laws can provide the impetus for economic and social change towards greater sustainability.

Scientific and social context
Our food system urgently needs to become more socially acceptable and environmentally friendly. However, it is very difficult to generate not only niche changes, but actual systemic change. These new, far-reaching laws could have such an impact - and our research will show why this has (not) been the case and develop policy recommendations for improved outcomes.

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ReFuel.ch: Renewable Fuels and Chemicals for Switzerland. Part of the SWEET: Swiss Energy research for the Energy Transition

Research Project | 4 Project Members

ReFuel.ch aims to improve the sustainability and reduce the costs of sustainable fuels and platform chemicals by increasing the efficiency, selectivity, and load-flexibility of production plants to comply with long-term climate policy goals. ReFuel.ch will therefore develop robust and practical pathways for introducing sustainable fuels and platform chemicals to markets and the Swiss energy system using an inter- and transdisciplinary approach. This will include inputs from social science (including the Sustainability Research Group), natural sciences, and engineering, as well as the dialogue with relevant stakeholders - i.e., policy makers, regulators, market actors, and end users - via regular thematic round table discussions. Within this framework, case studies for domestic, European, and non-European implementations will be evaluated and co-designed, and consumer acceptance will be determined through the use of quantitative research methods.

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Sustainable Future

Research Networks of the University of Basel | 5 Project Members

Das Forschungsnetzwerk Sustainable Future (SF) stärkt und vernetzt die unterschiedlichen Forschungsinitiativen und -projekte im Bereich der Nachhaltigkeitsforschung an der Universität Basel über die Grenzen der Departemente und Fakultäten hinweg und bildet damit ein regionales Kompetenzzentrum. Als gesellschaftlich und strategisch wichtiger Forschungsbereich erfordert die Nachhaltigkeitsforschung eine intensive interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit. Das Netzwerk koordiniert diese Zusammenarbeit durch einen intensiven Austausch zwischen den beteiligten Gruppen (und externen Partnern) und unterstützt die Entwicklung grösserer interdisziplinärer Forschungsprojekte. Der Fokus liegt derzeit auf den Schwerpunkten «Energie und Klima», «GeoBio-Diversität» und «Digitali Sustainable World» und in den Schnittstellen zwischen diesen Themen. Zusätzlich zur Organisation der reinen Forschungsaktivitäten engagiert sich das Netzwerk Sustainable Future auch im themenspezifischen Wissenstransfer sowie in der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und erhöht damit die Sichtbarkeit der Nachhaltigkeitsforschung an der Universität Basel.
Am Forschungsnetzwerk sind Forschende der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen, der Philosophisch-Historischen, der Philosophisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen und Theologischen Fakultät sowie der Fakultät für Psychologie beteiligt.

The Sustainable Future (SF) research network strengthens and networks the various research initiatives and projects in the field of sustainability research at the University of Basel across the boundaries of departments and faculties, thus forming a regional center of excellence. As a socially and strategically important research area, sustainability research requires intensive interdisciplinary cooperation. The network coordinates this collaboration through an intensive exchange between the groups involved (and external partners) and supports the development of larger interdisciplinary research projects. The current focus is on the areas «Energy and Climate», «GeoBio-Diversity» and «Digital Sustainable World» and on the interfaces between these topics. In addition to the organization of pure research activities, the Sustainable Future Research Network is also involved in topic-specific knowledge transfer and public relations work, thereby increasing the visibility of sustainability research at the University of Basel.
Researchers from the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Theology and the Faculty of Psychology are involved in the research network.