Research

Conventional materials and their properties are increasingly proving to be inadequate for complex, sustainable projects, such as those required in modern energy and mobility systems, but also in the construction industry. Methods from the field of artificial intelligence (AI) can help to analyse and optimize material properties. For example, physical material properties can be can be predicted using AI models, and the search for new materials (e.g., for batteries, photovoltaics, CO2 sorbents for carbon capture storage, cement alternatives) can be accelerated. The focus of the ‘Study-AI4GreenMat’ project is on the use of AI for the development of novel materials to substitute materials with high CO2-footprint or otherwise environmentally damaging properties, as well as the use of existing materials for the reduction of negative environmental impacts. The objectives of the BOKU-led work are (1) Status quo and trends on sustainability problems in connection with materials with high relevance for a transformation towards sustainability (energy transition, circular economy). Identification of Austrian sectors/fields of activity where accelerated material development has the greatest potential. (2) Overview of the material flow accounting (MFA) method, its methodological conventions and available databases; overview of the most important findings from MFA, i.e. material use and material footprint of Austria along material groups, by end uses and by use in economic sectors/industries. (3) Overview of the life cycle assessment method, impact categories used, unit of analysis, and available databases;

A carefully designed stakeholder process and effective science-policy engagement are critical to the AAR2. The participatory process ensures the policy relevance of the report and facilitates the joint identification of key policy issues, ensuring that the report can provide the necessary evidence base for effective policy decisions in Austria and contribute to increased awareness of climate change, including options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to unavoidable impacts. A close and continuous exchange between the AAR2 and policy makers in Austria is also necessary for effective communication, ensuring that the main product of the report, the Summary for Policy Makers, is shared by scientists and policy makers. The following services are offered in this context: - Based on transdisciplinary literature Participation in the conceptualisation of the stakeholder process. - Participation in the stakeholder analysis. - Participation in the core group, steering group, round tables and co-production workshop. - Conception and realisation of small reflexive evaluation steps for quality assurance for process and result. Methodologically, we draw on previous experience from over 20 self-developed and (co-)developed and implemented stakeholder processes, the three-horizon approach and methods of transdisciplinary research.

Austria currently falls short of aligning its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trajectory with the objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. More ambitious measures and a profound societal transformation are needed. Introducing circular economy and undergoing an energy transition are considered important in advancing towards this objective. However, do the ambitious targets outlined in the Austrian Circular Economy (CE) strategy facilitate or impede the broader goal of decarbonization? And how does the recently enacted Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) of 2023, which advocates for increased mining and mineral processing within the European Union (EU) and Austria, interfere with decarbonization and CE targets? The CRMA aims to mitigate supply risks associated with critical materials essential for future technologies, which are currently subject to high import dependence on a limited number of often politically unstable economies. But at the same time, the growth in the mining industry is anticipated to induce changes and eventual increases in both material and energy demand, potentially counteracting resource conservation and decarbonization efforts. To avoid dead-locks due to conflicting goals between the three policies – climate change, circular economy, critical raw materials act – the project GRACE proposes to take a systemic perspective on resource use, changes in stocks (buildings, infrastructure, vehicles), wastes and emissions by using the CE as an umbrella framework. GRACE will built a dynamic material stock-flow model based on an integration of previous models, but expanding these by aspects highly relevant but not yet considered in research: (1) disaggregation of material flow classification to better represent critical raw materials, (2) consideration of secondary materials in trade flows and production, (3) conceptual development of CE framework and indicators to better capture the 10R strategies, particularly those addressing “narrowing” and “slowing” of material cycles, and to consistently link input-oriented MFA approaches, GHG emission inventories and waste flows (system boundaries, waste definitions, data gaps, etc.). With this analysis of cross-cutting issues, GRACE aims to contribute novel insights to sustainable resource use and to inform policymaking by emphasizing co-beneficial measures and highlighting potential deadlocks by conflicting policy targets.