The Swedish EPA invites researchers to summarize and analyse the current state of knowledge and knowledge needs within two research fields of importance for sustainable consumption. Synthesis 1 concerns sustainable business models while Synthesis 2 deals with environmental and climatic effects within and outside Sweden’s boundaries caused by Swedish production and consumption of food. In a synthesis a literature review and a summary analysis are performed.
The Swedish EPA invites researchers to apply for funding for syntheses of up to 5 million SEK per synthesis area distributed over one to two years (2021–2022). The total budget for the call is 10 million SEK. The closing date for applications is 7 September 2020.
Aim
The aim of this call is to synthesize and analyse the current state of knowledge and point to knowledge needs within two areas of sustainable consumption:
Synthesis 1: Sustainable business models based on life cycle analysis
Synthesis 2: Environmental and climatic effects within and outside Sweden’s boundaries caused by Swedish production and consumption of food
The overall aim of the syntheses is to contribute to policy development in order to decrease environmental and climatic effects from Swedish consumption.
Background
Consumption has a documented large environmental and climatic effect both nationally and internationally. In order to achieve changes in consumption patterns, we need solution-oriented knowledge which promotes technical development as well as improved production processes, different forms of services, consumer behavioural changes and sustainable business models.
The European Green Deal(1) states that the action plan for circular economy will contain a strategy for sustainable products in order to support a circular construction of all products according to standardized methods and principles. Decreasing the use of and increasing the reuse of materials is prioritized over material recycling of products. One part of the European Green Deal is the area “From farm to fork” which states that European food must remain safe, nutritious and of high quality and this should be the global benchmark for sustainability.
The action plan for a circular economy should promote new business models and contains measures to encourage companies to offer and make it possible for consumers to choose reusable, sustainable and repairable products. New business models building on renting and sharing goods and services will be important in case they really are sustainable and reasonable in price. The action plan “Circular Economy Action Plan" - "For a cleaner and more competitive Europe”(2)” is aiming at creating a strong and coherent policy framework for products where sustainable products, services and business models are the new normal and the consumption patterns are converted to zero waste. The European action plan further notes that “While the food value chain is responsible for significant resource and environmental pressures, an estimated 20% of the total food produced is lost or wasted in the EU”. Circular economy may significantly reduce the negative effects of resource extraction and resource use and contribute to restoring biodiversity and nature capital in Europe. The EU Commission further suggests a goal for reduced food waste as a central measure as well as specific measures to achieve a more sustainable distribution and consumption of food.
The Swedish EPA produces and analyses knowledge on the effects of consumption on the environment and the climate, develops and implements measures and policy instruments which promotes sustainable decisions in business, trade, public sector, for consumers, municipalities and regions. The environmental effects of consumption must diminish if we are to attain the Swedish environmental quality objectives as well as the generational goal and relevant Agenda 2030 goals and targets, especially SDG12.
In the Swedish EPA’s in-depth evaluation of the environmental quality objectives 2019(2), it is assessed that Sweden has a responsibility to the environmental problems caused by Swedish consumption, whether they are created in Sweden or outside our borders. Developing effective policy instruments to reduce the effects of consumption is an important part in the work to achieve the given objectives.
Syntheses reports are import background material for the Swedish EPA and other authorities’ and actors. We need an overview of current knowledge and research and research-based material for our policy work; knowledge which may be used to develop indicators and measurement methods as well as other measures and policy instruments.
Challenges in environmental management
Synthesis 1: Sustainable business models based on life cycle analysis
The synthesis should map and compile current knowledge on factors that determine the success of sustainable business models in a perspective of a life cycle. Important aspects are actors and drivers as well as analysing the conditions, variables and breakpoints for reduced environmental load and impact in a life cycle perspective. Business models may for example focus on sharing economy, reuse, increased co-use and functional sales. The important question is whether business models are more sustainable or not based on the current conditions, future consumer behaviour and other drivers.
The synthesis should start from a Business to consumer perspective but business models which enables and facilitates private sharing economy may also be included. The synthesis should capture the interaction between the design of the models (particularly downstream but even upstream if relevant) and drivers and behaviour of different consumer groups as well as how other actors and conditions may contribute to the development of a system including more conscious consumption and sustainable business models. Since the profitability perspective is important for the development of sustainable business models the synthesis should even include economical aspects through models, tools and methods for assessment of the possibilities of the models to become profitable. Even social sustainability should be included.
Synthesis 2: Environmental and climatic effects within and outside Sweden’s boundaries caused by Swedish production and consumption of food
The synthesis/syntheses should map and analyse existing knowledge on the effects of Swedish production and consumption of food on the environment and the climate inside and outside Sweden’s borders. All parts of the chain of production and consumption of the most relevant food or food groups should be considered. Mapping of existing policy instruments in the food sector should be performed. All environmental quality objectives are relevant, but especially the generational goal, and the environmental quality objectives Reduced climate impacts, A non-toxic environment, Zero eutrophication, A rich diversity of plant and animal life, A varied agricultural landscape, Flourishing lakes and streams, and A balanced marine environment, Flourishing coastal areas and archipelagos, are important.
Priorities
The call should support the Swedish EPA, other authorities and even the work of the Council of the environmental quality objectives (Miljömålsrådet) with increased resource efficiency, as well as sustainable production and consumption linked to policy instruments, economy and trade.
In each synthesis a systematic review and a mapping of existing national and international research (grey and white literature) should be performed. A clear description of criteria and methods used in the literature search should be given. An analysis should be performed with a clear and transparent discussion of the conclusions in terms of validity and reliability. Furthermore, knowledge gaps should be pointed out and recommendations for future research and policy work given.
The syntheses should be coupled to efforts related to the generational goal and its fourth, fifth and seventh specification, the Swedish environmental quality objectives as well as the SGD12 in the Agenda2030 goals and targets, especially the targets 12.2, 12.3 and 12.5.
If policy instruments are reviewed and analysed it is especially interesting for the Swedish EPA if it is clear how such an instrument might contribute to the fulfilling of an objective and how and how much different sectors and industries are affected by the instrument.
Synthesis 1: Sustainable business models based on life cycle analysis
Relevant actors are different companies, users and consumers, municipalities and regions in areas such as textile, electronics, furniture/interiors, utility products (such as ski boxes, trailers, tools, garden utilities) as well as construction and living.
The aim is to finance one project which based on existing knowledge in and outside Sweden answers to a wide range of the following criteria and questions:
- Where is the breaking point for business models to contribute to increased sustainability? What are the drivers for the development of models and what are the possible obstacles and potentials of the impact and profitability of the more sustainable business models? Which conditions are needed for business models in order to make the production and consumption more sustainable? Examples on conditions:
- Number of users/consumers/dividers
- Number of uses
- Number of products
- Geographical conditions (city, urban area/smaller town, countryside)
- E-commerce and digital solutions
- Logistics and transport
- Behaviour of consumers (for example less/more care for product)
- Costs and revenues in different parts of the value chain/responsibility questions.
- Will business models make it easier for the consumer to act in a sustainable way? Is increased access always the same as increased resource efficiency? Or may it be the other way around? In which way may we best form the business models in order to meet the needs, priorities and drivers of the different consumer groups?
- In which way may digital solutions help to arrive to more successful indicators, measurement methods and business models? How do different digital sharing platforms affect the behaviour of the consumers? May digital solutions support effective environmental circular solutions? Or do we risk that digital solutions lead to increased consumption?
- In which way may actors and conditions help or hamper a system with respect to the development of sustainable business models and aware consumption? In other words, which conditions contribute to or obstruct the possibilities for sustainable bearing of business models?
- National strategies/programs for circular economy have been developed in for example the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, China and Japan. In which ways do these and potentially other countries work with the development of sustainable business models, focusing on sharing economy, reuse, increased co-use and increased functional sale in a life cycle perspective?
Synthesis 2: Environmental and climatic effects within and outside Sweden’s boundaries caused by Swedish production and consumption of food
The aim is to finance one or more projects for synthesis 2. The applied amount of money is related to how well the applicants answer to the specified priorities. If all or most of the priorities are included a maximum amount can be applied for; if one or only part of the priorities are included a smaller amount can be applied for.
One or more syntheses are financed which may include these knowledge needs and/or questions:
- Review existing knowledge on the effect of Swedish production and consumption of food categories on environment and climate both in and outside the Swedish border, including production, transport, packaging, and waste from the following food categories: vegetables and fruits; peas and beans; grain, rice and potatoes; meat, charcuterie, animal and vegetarian based dairy products; other protein sources; fat; drinks excluding milk; eggs; farmed and wild fish, seafood and other food from the sea;
- Compile the results of conducted socio-economic analyses for the food consumed in Sweden with the highest significance in fulfilling the climate goals and the environmental quality objectives.
- Analyse which economic, distributional and social considerations are needed in the drafting of national policy instruments aiming at decreasing the most significant domestic effects of consumption on environment and climate in Sweden and abroad (as identified above).
- Map the existing policy instruments in the area of food production and consumption and policy instruments in other areas affecting Swedish consumers, producers and distributors within the food sector. Which environmental quality objectives and which sectors are the policy instruments directed to control? Does the policy instrument control direct or indirect, evenly/unevenly on domestic versus imported? Is it possible to design the policy instrument to avoid trade barriers and to disadvantage actors within the food sector? Which mandate does Sweden have to influence the policy instruments?
- Account for possible evaluations of existing policy instruments and measures including rules of trade and subsidies with possible harmful impacts on the climate and the environment from consumption of food.
- Make an international outlook and account for other countries’ policy instruments and measures implemented in order to minimize environmental and climate effects, and systematically compare the effectiveness of the instruments. The focus should be on research in countries in the European Union. The aim is to contribute to policy development in order to decrease the negative effects of Swedish consumption of food on environment and climate, while simultaneously maintaining the positive environmental effects from food production.
- Systematically account for knowledge gaps that need further research in order to contribute to continued development and policy measures.
The synthesis/syntheses ought to build on on-going and existing research in Sweden, for example Mistra(4) and Formas(5), the PRINCE project(6), and abroad for example at JRC(7) and the work linked to planetary boundaries(8, 9). The work of the EU Commission on Product Environmental Footprint(10) is also of interest.
Practical instructions
It is important that the relevance for the Swedish EPA and other relevant authorities are clearly described in the application. We welcome both subject-specific as well as interdisciplinary research projects. We encourage new research collaborations and interactions with actors outside the academy.
The main applicant must hold a PhD and conduct research at a university, college, research institute, or government agency carrying out research as part of their mandate. The main applicant shall be affiliated with a Swedish organization with a Swedish corporate identity number. ("organisationsnummer"). If the main and co-applicants have granted research funding from the Swedish EPA within earlier calls, any due final report should have been submitted and approved in order to be considered for funding within this call.
Granted researchers are expected to participate in the Swedish EPA's annual research conference and yearly status meetings and to allocate resources for communication with the funders and other stakeholders.
How to apply
The application is made electronically via the application portal Prisma. The application is reviewed by international experts and should preferably be written in English. For further instructions, see ”Instructions for applicants.” Please, take note of the Swedish EPA’s policy for use of data and information.
Important dates
- Deadline for application: 7 September 2020, 14:00 C.E.T
- Funding decision: January 2021
- Project start: February 2021
Contact information
Senior research officer Karin Hansen
Email: karin.hansen@naturvardsverket.se
Phone: +46 10-698 13 28
Research secretary Kerstin Jansbo
Email: kerstin.jansbo@naturvardsverket.se
Phone: +46 10-698 14 56
References
- The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final
- A new Circular Economy Action Plan For a cleaner and more competitive Europe, COM(2020) 98 final
- Den fördjupade utvärderingen av miljökvalitetsmålen 2019
- Mistra food futures and Mistra sustainable consumption
- Formas nationella program om livsmedel
- PRINCE projektet
- Sala S., Beylot A., Corrado S., Crenna E., Sanyé-Mengual E. and Secchi M. (2019) Indicators and assessment of the environmental impact of EU consumption. JRC Science for policy report
- Moberg, E., Karlsson Potter, H., Wood, A., Hansson, P-A., Röös, E. (2020). Benchmarking the Swedish Diet Relative to Global and National Environmental Targets - Identification of Indicator Limitations and Data Gaps. Sustainability 12(4): 1407.
- Willett, W. et al. (2019). Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The Lancet 393(10170): 447-492
- Kommissionens arbete med miljöavtryck The development of the PEF and OEF methods and Product Environmental Footprint Guide (pdf)