One and a half million euros for University of Twente study into greenhouse gas reduction

29 October 2012

Scientists at the University of Twente’s Institute for Innovation and Governance Studies have been awarded a European grant of around one and a half million euros. This University of Twente study is part of a major collaborative European project. In total, there are six sub-projects, three of which are being conducted by scientists from the University of Twente. The aim of the European project is to develop models capable of predicting the costs and effects of policies aimed at reducing the levels of greenhouse gases. Dr Tatiana Filatova, a researcher at the University of Twente, heads one of these sub-projects. She has made major contributions to the project, both as a sparring partner and as a co-author of the overall project proposal.

In her own particular sub-project, Dr Filatova will identify ways in which changes in human behaviour can contribute to a climate with lower concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as CO2 and methane. The effects of such changes will be explored at various levels (micro, meso, and macro). Dr Filatova explains that “The traditional models currently being used base their predictions on historical data and assume that people behave rationally. In my research, I use computer simulation models that allow for the fact that people are not rational beings.”

In their sub-project, University of Twente scientists Prof. Hans Bressers and Cheryl de Boer examine the feasibility of local and regional projects. They will be investigating issues such as the motivations and interests involved in decisions about land use. Prof. Bressers notes that “Stakeholder participation and bringing everyone into line are very important to policy options for reducing greenhouse gases.”

In his own particular University of Twente sub-project, associate professor Alexey Voinov analyses models used for the climate, energy, and the economy. He is connecting current models together in the hope of achieving longer-term predictions in each of these individual themes. This approach also enables him to locate potential tipping points and accelerators on the road to a sustainable energy supply.

The partnership consists of a consortium of seventeen European participants, ranging from top universities and research institutes, to companies. The entire project (FP7), which has been awarded a grant of six million euros, will run for four years. About 25 to 30 scientist throughout Europe will take an active part in this over-arching project.

Further details:
These University of Twente scientists are associated with the Twente Centre for Studies in Technology and Sustainable Development (part of the Institute for Innovation and Governance Studies) and the department of Geo-Information Processing. Dr Tatiana Filatova is currently employed as a tenure track researcher at the Twente Centre for Studies in Technology and Sustainable Development. In 2011, she was awarded a VENI grant by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. She is both a coordinator for one of the sub-projects, and a University of Twente coordinator for the entire project. For further details, click here.

Contact persons
Martine van Hillegersberg, mobile +31 6 2043 2674
Juliette Fhij, mobile +31 6 5793 9296