Research

The aim of the project is to provide a comparative analysis of the most important quality assurance systems and standards in organic agriculture in the D-A-CH market (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) as a solid database for the evaluation and desired positioning and strategy development of the AMA organic seal. For this purpose, a comprehensive data basis is generated on the basis of publicly available literature and subjected to a content analysis. Key differentiating features will be discussed and identified through literature research and contact with standard operators and inspection bodies. The comparison and comprehensive documentation will be used to prepare a clear summary, also in graphic form. Only the following branches of production are included in the analysis: - Arable farming incl. vegetable cultivation - Livestock farming, limited to -- Cattle (dairy cattle, calves/calf rearing and fattening) -- Pigs (piglet production and pig fattening) -- Poultry (laying hen farming, chicken and turkey fattening).

TealHelix aims to advance food sustainability labeling by proposing a more targeted approach: Empowerment through personalization and inclusion. Based on the logic of motivational matching, the project develops a range of new labeling approaches and digital social innovations to support consumers' decision-making in a targeted way. Such an approach also aims to overcome resistance to sustainability ideas by tailoring interventions to the heterogeneous individual needs of vulnerable consumers. By integrating top-down and bottom-up methods, insights from life cycle assessment, social and economic environment analysis, as well as relevant theories and operationalizations for consumer behaviour, the project will develop a new tool to assess how individual and planetary preferences for different sustainability dimensions can be reconciled to achieve sustainability goals. Subsequently, using citizen science and involving marketing agencies as well as food retailers, a range of communication methods will be tested: traditional labeling approaches, digital and stationary retail labeling approaches and smart labeling approaches (AI-based mobile apps, shopping assistants, retail entertainment, smart e-commerce). In cooperation with leading European associations, develop new guidelines/standards for the provision of sustainability information for the industry.

The construction of the Future Circular Collider by CERN generates large quantities of excavated material. This excavated material (mostly molasse) is to be converted to such an extent that it can be used for arable and forest soils. The project is concerned with the extent to which this can be achieved (1) safely and (2) in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. (1) After technical treatment by two project partners, cultivation trials are planned on CERN land. Experiments with comprehensive measurements (in particular air, plants, soil) are to be planned and carried out in order to be able to investigate safety. (2) It is conceivable that the conversion technology could also be used in other construction projects involving excavated earth in the Alpine region (e.g. tunnel drilling, subway railroad construction). Market research and life cycle assessments will provide an initial estimate of the technology's potential.