Modelling
Modelling has developed as a research dimension on its own to investigate questions where experiments are impossible. We model optimal design of complex chemical and energy systems, and explore feedbacks and interactions between abiotic and biotic processes.
We also use and develop integrated assessment models where human society is modelled alongside the physics of the earth system, and use modeling to identify optimal innovation and governance policies for transition. Accordingly, modelling allows us to look into the co-development of human and natural systems and to connect the challenges related to energy, water, food, biodiversity and climate change.
Highlights
Passing the buck: Getting to the bottom of environmental problem shifting
From climate change to albatrosses, and from whales to wetlands, there are over 1000 multilateral environmental agreements, each trying to protect its own self-contained slice of the environment. But if every country complied with all the treaties that exist in the world, would we actually end up in a better place? This is the overarching question being investigated by Copernicus' Dr. Rak Kim.
How to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C
Climate researchers from Utrecht University and PBL show that that there are ways to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C instead of 2.0˚C by 2100.
Ecosystem resilience to drought and flooding
How depends the robustness of plant ecosystems to drought and flooding on the plasticity of individual plants and heterogeneity of the plant population.
The Green Model
Detlef van Vuuren behind-the-scenes on global climate scenarios. How is scientific research contributing to complex climate policy?
Frank Biermann in Dutch newspaper: “Investigate ‘cooling down’ the Earth”
The Netherlands have to take a stance in the debate on deliberately cooling down the Earth, argues Frank Biermann in 'De Volkskrant'.
Strong economic case for climate action and limiting warming to below 2 degrees
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that limiting climate change is beneficial for the economy: keeping climate change below 2°C will cost governments far less than dealing with the damages associated with further temperature increases.
A second chance to protect wetlands
Research published in Nature shows that the loss of wetlands areas around the globe since 1700 has likely been overestimated, offering new prospective for the recovery and protection of these special areas.
RESILIENCE receives a EUR 10 million ERC Synergy Grant
The multidisciplinary team, with researchers from Utrecht, Leiden, Be’er Sheva and Edinburgh, will study pathways of resilience and ways human intervention can evade these ‘points of no return’.
Circular bioplastics offer solution for climate crisis and growing resource consumption
By combining a circular, bio-based plastic industry with emissions-free electricity and no waste incineration, the bioplastics sector may even grow to become a form of carbon sink.
How network analysis is unlocking new solutions to sustainability challenges
Through the Special Interest Group on Network Analysis for Sustainability (SIGNAS), our researchers are exploring how this rapidly developing approach can unlock new understandings across diverse sustainability challenges. We spoke with five SIGNAS researchers to learn how network analysis enriches their work and brings critical insights into how we can build a more sustainable world.
Selected experts
Stefan Dekker Professor of Global Ecohydrology and Sustainability
Matteo Gazzani Associate Professor of Energy and Resources
Madeleine Gibescu Professor Integration of Intermittent Renewable Energy
Karin Rebel Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences
Max Rietkerk Professor of Spatial Ecology and Global Change
Detlef van Vuuren Professor Environmental Sciences
