The research focus of IBF is the integrated modeling of natural resources and ecosystems management using IIASA models such as the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) for the development of transformations in food and bio-based sectors that enable satisfying human needs while ensuring the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine environments.

The IBF Group strives to bring about transformations in the use and management of terrestrial, fresh water, and marine ecosystems for “happy people on a healthy planet” by informing national and international policies, and by engaging with businesses and civil society. For this, the group relies on a suite of well-established models, including the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) and the Global Forest Model (G4M), as well as its reputation as a credible partner in concrete policy/regulatory processes.

The group’s key research areas include:

  • Land, water, and oceans management focusing on primary producers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and their impact on the environment, including land-based climate change mitigation.
  • Bio-based sectors integrating consumers and producers across food, fibre, and fuel supply chains.
  • Shocks, adaptation, and resilience within bio-based sectors including weather extremes.
  • Food, nutrition, and poverty, as the main social outcomes of land, water, and oceans use.
  • Integrated biosphere foresight and solutions developing forward-looking scenarios for the assessment of potential synergies and trade-offs between relevant Sustainable Development Goals at regional and global scales, and exploring national and international options for their achievement to inform policymaking.

YSSP opportunities

Models, tools, datasets

Beautiful view into a nothern europe forest with pine trees on a sunny day

Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM)

Projects

ForestNavigator

Navigating European forests and forest bioeconomy sustainably to EU climate neutrality (ForestNavigator)

MIND STEP

Modelling INdividual Decisions to Support The European Policies related to agriculture (MIND STEP)

Lamasus

Land Management for Sustainability (LAMASUS)

Aerial view of large biofuel plant

Brazil-EU Cooperation for Development of Advanced Lignocellulosic Biofuel (BECOOL)

Staff

Niklas Hinkel profile picture

Niklas Hinkel

Research Scholar (IBF)

Jinfeng Chang profile picture

Jinfeng Chang

Guest Research Scholar (IBF)

Florian Huber profile picture

Florian Huber

Senior Research Scholar (IBF)

Zuelclady Araujo Gutierrez profile picture

Zuelclady Araujo Gutierrez

Research Scholar (IBF)

News

Indonesia FAO

23 July 2024

Fostering transformation of agrifood systems in Indonesia

IIASA researchers contributed to a project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), working in partnership with scientists from other renowned institutions, to help the government of Indonesia advance actionable agrifood systems policies based on rigorous scientific assessment.
Airplane flying low over a biofuel tank

22 July 2024

Are sustainable aviation fuels truly sustainable?

A new IIASA-led study offers the first detailed estimates of land use change emissions for six sustainable aviation fuel production pathways. The authors focused on both food and non-food raw materials used to produce biofuels, using trusted global data sources to provide fine-scale emissions data.
Urbanization in Africa

30 May 2024

Rapid urbanization in Africa transforms local food systems and threatens biodiversity

Urbanization in Africa is accelerating quickly, showing no signs of slowing down. An international team of researchers addresses critical gaps in our understanding of how this urbanization affects local food and ecological systems, emphasizing the importance of recognizing shifts in dietary patterns.

Events

Focus

Local people working in their field, near Lamin village, Gambia, West Africa

08 July 2024

Future food demand in The Gambia: can increased crop productivity and climate adaptation close the supply–demand gap?

The Gambia faces significant food availability issues due to low agricultural productivity. IIASA researchers and colleagues used the FABLE Calculator to explore actions to reduce the food supply-demand gap by 2050. The results, published in Food Security, reveal that current cropland will not meet food demand by 2050.

27 June 2024

Exploring plant-based food alternatives to advance global sustainability

Shifting diets could yield major improvements for climate and biodiversity. IIASA researchers found that replacing half of all main meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land userelated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forests and natural land.
food

Publications