Research

Austria's economy continues to depend on fossil carbon, with carbon from biogenic and secondary materials not yet incorporated into circular systems. The carbon economy is currently fragmented, leading to unexploited synergies, defossilization opportunities, and potential. To meet climate and circular economy objectives, a systemic transformation of carbon flows and the establishment of scalable pathways for value creation towards a circular carbon economy are essential. ReTraCC addresses this gap by employing a data-driven approach to analyze Austria’s carbon value network, develop circular solutions, and evaluate their impacts. The project utilizes a three-tiered transformation model for resource transition: (i) the system level, which analyzes the carbon value network; (ii) the pilot level, which examines use cases within specific areas; and (iii) the scaling level, which validates and scales use cases to achieve nationwide effects. Following the analysis of carbon flows, interactions, and stakeholders, the transition from the system to the pilot level involves developing solutions in focus areas such as circular production processes for CO₂ utilization, advanced recycling for carbon-containing waste and residues, circular business models, and digital tools. Each focus area develops and pilots 3–5 use cases: include carbon capture and utilization of biogenic CO₂, recycling pathways for plastic wastes, scalable reuse concepts for packaging materials, and digital decision-support tools that optimize material flows and infrastructure usage in the value chain. Technological development is integrated with organizational, regulatory, and social factors, utilizing input-output models, pilot facilities, AI-supported decision tools, and CCU infrastructure models. Participatory formats ensure the integration of acceptance, user behavior, and market dynamics. Expected outcomes include mapping Austria’s carbon flows, pilot value chains, reuse models, AI-driven decision support, and an integrated evaluation framework that links ecological, economic, and social effects. ReTraCC provides recommendations on regulation, business models, infrastructure, and governance, establishing the foundation for a circular carbon economy that reduces fossil dependencies, enhances regional value creation, and systematically embeds sustainable resource transformation.

Europe faces intensifying competition for land and sea resources, as rising demand for biomass collides with the need to safeguard biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate. Projections warn of a “sustainable biomass gap,” with demand exceeding supply by up to 70% by 2050. Current models provide only partial insights and lack transparent, participatory tools for decision-making. This project develops a novel assessment framework linking terrestrial and marine domains through a deliberation support tool. It enables policymakers to explore trade-offs and synergies between climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic goals, offering rapid, modular, and user-friendly assessments. Models act as data providers rather than a single ensemble, ensuring efficiency and flexibility. The framework combines biophysical supply and demand models, biodiversity assessments, socio-economic drivers, and climate impacts. Scenarios are co-designed with stakeholders, bridging qualitative visions with quantitative indicators. Results will clarify policy impacts on biomass use, advance understanding of trade-offs, and support integrated strategies under the European Green Deal. Ultimately, the project aims to equip European authorities with transparent, science-based tools to navigate competing land–sea demands, close the biomass gap, and foster a just, resilient bioeconomy within planetary boundaries.

The bioeconomy is a key strategy for addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity. By promoting the sustainable use of renewable biological resources, including agricultural crops, forests, and biomass residues, it offers opportunities to substitute greenhouse gas-intensive fossil resources in sectors such as construction, chemicals, and energy. At the same time, biomass is a fundamental component of ecosystem functioning and the global carbon cycle, meaning its use involves important trade-offs between climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, and food security. Although biomass is renewable, it is not unlimited. Land availability is finite, ecosystems are already under pressure, and increased biomass demand may intensify competition for land, water, and nutrients. While bioenergy and bio-based materials can contribute to decarbonization, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, their sustainability depends strongly on sourcing practices, resource efficiency, and the consideration of opportunity costs, such as carbon storage in ecosystems. This highlights the need to treat biomass as a scarce resource that must be managed within ecological limits. This study aims to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the sustainable global biomass potential and the constraints shaping its availability, with particular attention to G20 economies. It will assess whether sustainably available land-based biomass can meet current and future demand for food, feed, materials, and energy toward 2030 and 2050, and evaluate the role of technological innovation, circular economy approaches, trade, and demand-side measures in reducing potential supply–demand gaps. The study is aimed to provide a robust knowledge base to inform international policy dialogues and support the development of bioeconomy strategies that balance climate action, biodiversity conservation, and food security.