How can we transform our world to meet the pressing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development? A new report from the ERC Scientific Council explores this question by analysing over 300 ERC-funded projects that illuminate the concept of transformative change and its potential to pave the way for a just and sustainable future.
This report is timely and critical, addressing the urgent need for action to confront these interconnected crises. As emphasised by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), transformative changes in economic, social, behavioural, and political systems are essential to reverse the alarming trends impacting our planet. Frontier research plays a vital role in this endeavour, providing the insights and innovative solutions needed to tackle these complex challenges effectively.
Key themes: from leverage points to healthy ecosystems
The ERC report analyses 312 projects from 22 countries, supported by €653 million in funding, and identifies six key themes that demonstrate the breadth and diversity of ERC-funded research on transformative change.
These themes include leverage points for sustainable transitions, with a focus on governance, green behaviours, finance, and taxation. The report explores strategies to scale up sustainability while protecting the environment, including implementing fair green tax reforms, lowering the cost of capital for low-carbon technologies, and addressing the financial benefits and challenges of the green transition.
Equity and inclusivity emerge as central pillars. Many ERC projects stress that the shift to a sustainable economy must be equitable and socially responsible. This includes ensuring fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of the transition while mitigating impacts on workers, local communities, and vulnerable populations, including Indigenous peoples. The research also calls for addressing the imbalance between the Global North and South, highlighting the disproportionate burden borne by economically disadvantaged countries that have contributed less to the crises.
Redefining prosperity is another critical theme, explored through alternative economic paradigms such as post-growth, the circular economy, and sustainable resource use. Post-growth theories propose decoupling prosperity from consumption and wellbeing from economic growth, while the circular economy emphasises reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of materials.
Evidence-based solutions for a sustainable future
Underlying all these efforts is the drive to promote a healthy planet. ERC-funded projects address pressing challenges such as pollution, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems, and ecosystem management. Without thriving ecosystems, human wellbeing and economic activity cannot be sustained, making their protection and restoration essential for a just green transition.
The report also highlights frontier research on sustainable urban development and infrastructure, including energy-efficient buildings, green transportation, and resilient water systems. These efforts are essential for developing cities that can support growing populations while minimising environmental impact.
As the world grapples with interconnected crises, ERC-funded research provides evidence-based solutions to guide the transition to sustainability. These findings support the drive towards climate neutrality through the European Green Deal, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, paving the way for a greener, more just future.
Read the report
How can we accelerate efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, and promote sustainable development? A new ERC report analyses over 300 projects, highlighting transformative change as a path to a just green future.
