The Economics of Hydrological Global Change-effects on water supply ("EHGC Water"; IHDP-28)

Project Management: Prof.DDr. Michael STEINER, Institute of Technology and Regional Policy, Joanneum Research
Duration: 2 years (beginning 2004)


Abstract

Austria is known to be relatively rich in water resources. However, concerning local water provision there are spatial variations in vulnerability caused by fluctuations in precipitation and other climate change induced parameters. Some Austrian areas exhibit soil and rock structures that make the infiltration of water into the aquifer difficult. If evaporation additionally exceeds precipitation, any water use will lead to water level decrease in available reservoirs. As water provision in such areas becomes uncertain it is necessary to investigate in climate change effects and local economic impacts in this context, in order to make informed choices for adaptation measures such as inter-regional water transport etc. Because of the urgency of the topic in the region, already existing data and elaborated models and methods, Eastern Styria has been chosen as a reference area. The development of economic methods for assessing hydrological changes in water supply is thus one target of this project. Interdisciplinary scientific collaboration, in particular between economics, hydrology and climatology, will yield estimations of expected exposure and adaptive strategies to global change impacts on water supply.


Contact:
Prof.DDr. Michael Steiner
Institute of Technology and Regional Policy
Joanneum Research
Elisabethstr. 20, 8010 Graz
T +43 316 8761426
F +43 316 8761480
michael.steiner@joanneum.at

Kohlenstoffhaushalt und gesellschaftlicher Wandel: Zusammenhänge von Kohlenstoffflüssen und sozioökonomischer Dynamik in Österreich 1830-2000 (IGBP-26)

Project Management: Prof. Dr. Helmut HABERL, Institute for Social Ecology, University of Klagenfurt
Duration: 3 years (beginning 2004)


Abstract

Carbon household and socio-economic change

This project analyses interrelations between socio-economic dynamic and Austria´s carbon household from 1830-2000. It aims at a biophysical accounting scheme which can be consistently linked socio-economic processes as described by statistics, above all by the system of national accounts (SNA). Using this scheme, important carbon stocks and flows in Austria 1830-2000 and their relations to socio-economic change will be assessed and analysed. Both socio-economic carbon stocks and flows (e.g., fossil fuel use) and the human impact on ecological carbon stocks and flows (e.g., carbon in vegetation) are considered. A major focus will be on interrelations between the socio-economic and the ecological carbon household. The project aims to evaluate Austria´s contribution to driving forces for Global Environmental Change.


Contact:
Prof. Dr. Helmut Haberl
Institute for Social Ecology
University of Klagenfurt
Schottenfeldgasse 29/5, 1070 Vienna
T +43 1 5224000-406
F +43 1 5224000-477
helmut.haberl@uni-klu.ac.at

Klimawandel im Hochgebirge: 10 Jahre Vegetationsmonitoring an den Kältegrenzen pflanzlichen Lebens (IGBP-27)

Project Management: Prof. Dr. Karl REITER, Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Vienna
Duration: 3 years (beginning 2003)

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Karl Reiter
Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology
University of Vienna
Althanstr. 14, 1090 Vienna
karl.reiter@univie.ac.at

Climate impact on plant, insect and bird phenology in Austria (CLIMPHEN)

Project Management: Dr. Helfried SCHEIFINGER, Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics
Duration: 2 years (beginning 2005)


Abstract

In recent years phenology has emerged as highly valuable source of information in the field of climate impact assessment. An increasing number of studies report that plants and animals of the mid- and higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere have been responding to the temperature increase of the last decades. The aim of CLIMPHEN is a comprehensive statistical description of the spatial and temporal behaviour of the Austrian plant and insect phenological observations. The influence of the complex topography of the Alps on the phenological entry dates is of specific concern. The effect of temperature as the dominant atmospheric factor governing phenological events is evaluated. Trends of temperature and phenological time series are compared. A statistical downscaling of phenological observations based on future climate scenarios sheds light on possible future phenological developments in the frame of expected global change.

Online Project report


Contact:
Dr. Helfried Scheifinger
Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics
Hohe Warte 38, 1190 Vienna
T +43 1 36026-2410
F +43 1 36026-74
Helfried.Scheifinger@zamg.ac.at

Sustainable Food Consumption in Austria: Trends and Options

Project Management: Dr. Ines OMANN, Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI)
Duration: 2 years (beginning 2005)


Abstract

The project sufo:trop (Sustainable food consumption in Austria: trends and options) focuses on food consumption patterns in Austria, and by relating them to economic data from households, it will make policy recommendations related to sustainable food consumption. Current trends suggest that the fraction of food consumption in total household expenditures is declining (in Austria 20% in 1970 and 12% in 2002). The daily calorie intake is, however, increasing, as does the proportion of meat and sweets, two highly energy intensive food categories. Hence, food consumption has evidently become less sustainable during this period. In the project, different groups of food will be considered: meat vs. vegetables; conventional vs. organic production; regional vs. more distant production; etc. The second focus is on the household specific consumption patterns, taking household income, family structure and household location into account. Simulations with respect to different consumption patterns will provide the basis for policy recommendations regarding sustainable food consumption. The proposed project is running for two years from September 2005 on and be carried out by a team from the Sustainable Europe Research Institute and the Department of Economics at the University of Graz.

Online Project report


Contact:
Dr. Ines Omann
Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI)
Garnisongasse 7/27, 1090 Vienna
T +43 1 9690728-20
F +43 1 9690728-17
ines.omann@seri.at

Spatial consumption/production structure and mobility-related CO2 emissions (SPACON+)

Project Management: Dr. Birgit FRIEDL, Department of Economics, University of Graz
Duration: 2 years (beginning 2005)


Abstract

Mobility activities currently trigger the fastest increasing segment in fossil fuel emissions. This reflects a specific spatial structure in the distribution of land use devoted to residence, work, shopping, leisure and production. While a fundamental change in spatial structure (including infrastructure) is required to change mobility consumption patterns, this needs to be a long-term process, feeding back on the whole production system and connected to substantial carbon consequences. In the present study, these interactions will be described by means of a spatial computable general equilibrium model in order to evaluate the scope by which respective technological options and, more fundamentally, spatial restructuring can reduce mobility-related fossil fuel emissions.

Online Project report


Contact:
Dr. Birgit Friedl
Department of Economics
University of Graz
Universitätsstr. 15, 8010 Graz
T +43 316 380-7107
F +43 316 380-9520
birgit.friedl@unigraz.at

Oil-reduced agriculture

Project Management: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang KROMP, Institute of Risk Research, University of Vienna
Duration: 2 years (beginning 2005)


Abstract

The project "oil reduced agriculture" started with the search for the reason of the positive correlation between centers of original biodiversity of staple crops (Vavilov centers) and formative civilizations viz. Empires. It was supposed that the degradation of biodiversity is due to complex, "imperial" societies. Based on the research focus "world systems" viz. Empires the INCMAS ("Integrated (Micro-) Climatic Management Systems") technology of the Andean civilizations, especially the Inca Empire turned out as the promoter for increasing biodiversity. Since bulk transportation of staple food was impossible, the INCMAS technology allows "knowledge based agriculture" now used for the conservation of germplasm in situ. John Earls has been working on this technology since the 1970ies but not with agronomists. So the international IRICS conference 2005 ("Innovations and Reproductions in Cultures and Societies") launched the next step, realizing this technology by modern means of information technology.


Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kromp
Institute of Risk Research
University of Vienna
Türkenschanzstrasse 17, 1180 Vienna
T +43 1 4277-53901
F +43 1 4277-9539
risikoforschung@irf.univie.ac.at