ExpectedOutcome:
Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
There is an urgent need for a new paradigm that reconciles continued development of human societies with the maintenance of the Earth system in a resilient and stable state. Meeting the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement while simultaneously respecting other environmental and social constraints would require not only rapid reductions of GHG emissions and other climate forcers, but also decoupling of economic output from material throughput, pollution and biodiversity loss. However, empirical evidence demonstrates a strong relationship between economic growth (expressed in GDP terms) and GHG emissions, energy use, demand for raw materials, land and other natural resources, as well as pollution. Projections indicate that, with existing growth trajectories, absolute decoupling on the scale required could prove extremely challenging.
Actions should advance knowledge on the feasibility of the green growth paradigm in the context of transition to climate neutrality, including improved understanding of underlying challenges and opportunities, and by building on the latest scientific evidence. They should explore alternative (to growth-oriented) socio-economic scenarios (such as, but not limited to, degrowth, postgrowth, or “Doughnut” economic models) which could support the transition to climate neutrality. Research should look well beyond general concepts and explore (where possible quantified) the practical implications, benefits, barriers, conditions for delivering strong social outcomes and feasibility of pursuing such alternative options as a viable policy choice within the EU and beyond. In their work, actions should examine the role of emerging/potential trends (such as digitalisation, circularity, structural changes in the economy, relocalisation of value chains), geopolitical events and shifts in societal values (e.g. COVID related) in shaping future socio-economic development and assess their impacts on the achievement of climate policy objectives. The analysis should also account for the accelerating impacts of climate change and embrace interlinkages with other policy goals, notably biodiversity, resource conservation and human development related. Building on these results, actions should draw conclusions for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategies under the Paris Agreement.
Actions should address some of the following aspects in their research:
The projects are expected to take a truly interdisciplinary approach, leveraging natural, economic and other social sciences to inform policies capable of delivering on multiple environmental, economic and social objectives simultaneously while taking into account constraints related to feasibility and acceptability.
When dealing with models, actions should promote the highest standards of transparency and openness, as much as possible going well beyond model documentation and extending to aspects such as assumptions, code and data that is managed in compliance with the FAIR principles[1]. In particular, beneficiaries are strongly encouraged to publish data and results in open access databases and/or as annexes to publications.
Successful proposals should establish synergies with the projects resulting from the topic HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-02: Modelling the role of the circular economy for climate change mitigation[2] as well as with the future project resulting from the topic “HORIZON-CL5-2024-D1-01-06: The role of climate change foresight for primary and secondary raw materials supply” as regards implications for resource demand and the associated GHG emissions.
This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines (e.g. sociology, economics, behavioural sciences, gender studies, etc.) and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.
[1] FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
[2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl5-2021-d1-01-02