Interdisciplinary Research

Facing environmental problems it is essential to understand the interdependence between the human system and the environment. For this reason we investigate prerequisites, constraints, drivers, and impacts of individual, organizational and societal decision making; and link that to models of the environmental system. Our final goal is to functionally understand the transitions in Human-Environment Systems. This abstract concept is applied in our research on a set of NSSI research clusters.

[In parentheses: main contact]

Sustainability Competition of Energy Systems »»

We investigate and model decision-making and its effects in energy systems and with respect to energy-efficient technologies.

• Vulnerability Potential Analysis (VPA) [J. Blumer, T. Baltensperger]
• Energy Strategies of Rural/Peri-Urban Communities (Project within CCES-ClimPol) [E. Trutnevyte]

Scarcity/Resource Management »»

We investigate which knowledge, technologies, policies and decisions are required for a prospective and anticipator management of physical resources.

• Scarce Metals for Emerging Energy Technologies [A. Stamp]
• Sustainable Waste Management Options (OMNA) [G. Meylan]
• Phosphor Sustainability [A. Ulrich, C. C.]

Radioactive Waste [M. Stauffacher]»»

We investigate and strive to understand individual and societal decision processes in radioactive waste management.

• Distributive and Procedural Justice [P. Krütli]
• Perception of Long Time-Scales [C. Moser]
• Sex/Gender and Nuclear Waste [M. Dhum]

Regional Transitions »»

We investigate transition processes in regional systems to support strategic planning towards sustainable development.

• Energy Strategies of Rural/Peri-Urban Communities (Project within CCES-ClimPol) [E. Trutnevyte]
• Evaluation of the Policy Program for Contaminated Site Remediation in the Canton Zurich (EVALT) [A. Spörri]

Ecosystem Services »»

We investigate the regional and international management of ecosystem services to support sustainable transitions of Human-Environment Systems facing global change.

• MyEcosystem [L. de Baan]
• Mountland [J. Brändle]