Second programme conference of NRP 73

On 13 February 2019, the second programme conference of NRP 73 took place in the Fabrikhalle 12 in Bern. The venue and its special atmosphere set an inspiring tone to the discussions between researchers and members of the Steering Committee and the Sounding Board.

A poster session offered the opportunity to reflect on the current state of the research and to discuss project-specific challenges with other members of the NRP community. Joint concerns in terms of content and methodology were identified, an example of which are post-fossil cities: they are dependent on ecosystem services and forestry products, which are both key topics of NRP 73. Several research projects are confronting the question of how to support the transformation towards a sustainable economy, and how to ensure that this approach is itself sustainable. Interaction between industry and the research community is considered an important factor in this context.

During the co-creation labs, the following topics were discussed in depth: agent-based modelling (ABM), life-cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analyses (MFA), sustainable behaviour, open research data, innovation and technology transfer as well as policy recommendations. The two methodology workshops on ABM, LCA and MFA showed that the most important shared issues are system delimitations, insecurities regarding the different methods, and synergies. The most suitable tools for achieving behavioural change are information, nudges, financial incentives (both positive and negative) and regulations. In the context of regulations, the researchers distinguish between voluntary agreements and government measures. Innovation is a key driver for achieving a sustainable economy. It is closely linked to value creation for Switzerland and should therefore benefit not only companies but also society as a whole.

The most important aspects of the conference were recorded by graphic artist Filippo Buzzini on a large coloured drawing (1mx5m). It will help to secure and develop the insights gained during the event.