Research

Aiming for the reconciliation of nature and human development Biosphere Reserves (BR) have to fulfill multiple functions for which effective governance would be needed. However, there are indications that many BRs face severe governance challenges, and little is known about the governance models currently in place. REGO aims to provide actionable knowledge on how existing novel governance formats BR could be developed to help BRs fulfil their multiple functions. Researchers will work closely together with the Austrian BRs and the Swiss BR Engiadina Val Müstair (EVM). First, academic literature is reviewed to create an analytical framework for feasible BR governance. Second, a comparative case study will be conducted between all Austrian BRs plus EVM. Document analysis, expert interviews, and an analysis of the legal context will be carried out to provide detailed descriptions of governance models in case study BRs. This includes strengths and weaknesses and crucial governance challenges. Third, based on the findings of the comparative case study, a co-creative workshop will be organized with researchers and case-study BRs. The aim is to explore how the BRs can learn from each other in order to refine their governance models, and to create recommendations for higher-level decision-makers (e.g., UNESCO MAB). Recommendations will be checked for legal ramifications to ensure their feasibility. Finally, the learnings will be put into practice by establishing two 'living labs' in the BR Großes Walsertal and EVM. Each BR will select governance challenges that are highly relevant. Novel governance formats will be co-developed with researchers, and evaluation criteria will be defined. Then governance formats will be tested and evaluated. Findings of REGO will help create a better understanding of the types of governance models needed to reconcile nature conservation and regional development and support BRs in refining their governance to meet UNESCO goals.

The BOKU University, in collaboration with Caritas Austria, focuses on sustainable ecosystem management and climate change mitigation in the Western Equatoria region of South Sudan. This interdisciplinary project integrates scientific research, community-based approaches, and innovative technologies to address socio-ecological challenges. The primary objectives include improving ecosystem health through conceptual modeling, enhancing community capacity for sustainable practices, and contributing to adaptive management frameworks. Key activities involve the introduction of fuel-efficient stoves to 1,250 households, reducing firewood consumption and CO2 emissions, and piloting sustainable brick production using the Compressed Earth Block (CEB) method. These interventions aim to mitigate deforestation, promote sustainable land use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14,860 tons over 5.5 years. Additionally, the project emphasizes reforestation by planting mango trees and establishing community-based nurseries, fostering ecological, economic, and socio-cultural benefits. Scientific research underpins the project, employing tools such as the Drivers–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework and adaptive management principles. This research explores human-induced stressors, indicators, and the impacts of climate change on local ecosystems. Participatory methods, including stakeholder interviews, workshops, and strategic simulations, ensure community involvement and knowledge dissemination. The project aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable consumption. It also integrates teaching and research opportunities for BOKU students, contributing to knowledge development and capacity building. By fostering partnerships between academia, local communities, and NGOs, the initiative aims to create scalable, sustainable solutions for ecosystem management and socio-economic development in vulnerable regions. This research not only addresses immediate environmental and social challenges but also provides a replicable model for sustainable development in similar contexts globally.

The climate crisis affects already today in particular marginalized groups and will even stronger affect young people in the future. Both groups are not well represented in global climate political negotiation processes and lack modes of participation on the local scale. While education provides scientific knowledge, it lacks imagination to build collectively livable futures. Based on different leverage points, i.e. climate data, the political-institutional setting, actor’s strategies and values as inner and collective images, we explore ideas and concrete strategies for responsible and caring (co-)living in and beyond the city of Salzburg. Together with marginalized young people, activists, artists, educators, social workers and the city administration the project aims to develop climate-social futures through shared imagination and shaping scenarios. We address three questions: 1. What are the needs, interests, strategies and visions of marginalized young citizens and activists in Salzburg when addressing the climate-social crisis in its multi-level dimension? 2. How can shared imaginations of climate-social futures in a diverse community, including marginalized citizens, be created together with arts-based methods? 3. What are the social, institutional and political barriers and possibilities for shaping and implementing climate-social futures? We will examine existing leverage points (understanding of global climate data in its local context, political strategies, needs and values as inner pictures) combined with climate-social future scenarios that are based on imaginative knowledge. We will co-create these scenarios with young people through participatory action research. We will use arts-based approaches which are strongly interwoven with our interdisciplinary and participatory research design. This will provide us with knowledge in the co-creation of climate-social futures and methodologically in the understanding of leverage points.