BEST will combine LCA and dynamic energy-land use modelling to analyze the climate and environmental impacts of a diverse set of bioenergy technology alternatives, and of global bioenergy deployment pathways. Funded by RCN and The National Research Fund Luxembourg, 2019- 2023.

The ambition of Bio4-7Seas is to provide a robust understanding of the climate change mitigation potential and environmental effects associated with a growing deployment of biofuels for deep sea fleet. Funded by RCN, 2020- 2024.  

• Project title: Comparative climate impact assessment of the forest based bio-economies of Norway, Sweden and Finland
• Funded by: Research Council Norway
• Project timeframe: August 2015 - June 2019

Limiting the global temperature rise to 2°C will require major contributions from terrestrial ecosystems, including Scandinavian boreal forest. In this project, we seek to understand regional differences in historical forest management in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, and the corresponding different implications for the climate system. Our aim is to discern and better understand land/climate interactions to derive more effective, cross-sectoral climate change mitigation policies based on forest management.

Contact: Professor Francesco Cherubini

The primary objective of BIOPATH is to explore the interactions between future biofuel pathways, land transitions, and the regional climate, thereby offering novel science-based evidence to advance assessment frameworks of biofuel systems. Funded by RCN, 2019-2023

CARBO-FERTIL will develop innovations in pyrolysis and nutrient-rich waste recycling leading to biochar-fertilizer products as win-win solution for carbon-storage and food production. Funded by RCN, 2018- 2021.

The project CONSENSE aims to assess the overall impacts of the Norwegian power generation and distribution on biodiversity using a holistic life cycle perspective, both for today's electricity system and future production scenarios for hydropower and wind power. Funded by RCN, 2020-2023.

• Project: BioEnergy Innovation Centre (Forskningssenter for Miljøvennlig Energi FME)
• Funded by: Research Council Norway
• Project timeframe: October 2009 - February 2017

The mission of this Research Centre was to enable a sustainable and cost-efficient bioenergy industry in Norway. The Centre completed its 8 year mandate in February 2017.

sintef.no/projectweb/cenbio/

Contact: Professor Francesco Cherubini

• Funded by: Research Council Norway
• Project timeframe: June 2016 - September 2019

The Footprints 2.0 research project aims to build links between environmental science and economics. We are developing data and software interfaces to connect environmental earth observation data with supply chain and econometric models.

f20.indecol.no/

Contact: Associate Professor Francesca Verones

This project GreenPolymers will investigate novel sustainable platform chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass to produce bio-derived polymers for highly functionalized applications (e.g., automotive industry, coatings, packaging, etc). Funded by EEA grants, 2020- 2024.

LIF-OWI aims to develop a comprehensive methodological framework for environmental and social life cycle assessment and validate it by applying it to a selection of offshore wind farms. Funded by: France Energies Marines and French National Research Agency, 2020-2023.

MITISTRESS plans to map land uses and ecosystem stress levels in Norway and the Tibetan Plateau of China to quantify the cumulative effects on ecosystem services under a changing climate. Funded by RCN and Natural Science Foundation of China, 2019-2023.

• Project title: Quantifying climate Impacts of Future Forest management strategies in Norway
• Funded by: Research Council Norway
• Project timeframe: June 2016 - May 2020

Understanding the site-specific conditions and vegetation characteristics of forests in Norway and their response to management is essential for better predicting the regional and global climate implications. Using high resolution modelling and a broad variety of dataset, this project will provide a quantifiable, holistic understanding of the climate impacts of different future forest management options in Norway.

Contact: Professor Francesco Cherubini

The project SLUDGEFFECT will identify environmental friendly ways to best handle sludge, exploit its energy and nutrient content, and reduce its concentration of hazardous substances, through implementing heat-based methods, such as pyrolysis. Funded by RCN, 2020- 2024.

• Project: Developing a Life Cycle Impact Assessment framework for biodiversity impacts
• Funded by: Research Council Norway
• Project timeframe: April 2015 - January 2019

Working in partnership with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), we are developing robust methods for assessing adverse environmental impacts on biodiversity from onshore wind power production and hydropower production.

nina.no/Forskning/Prosjekter/LCAbiodiversity

Contact: Associate Professor Francesca Verones