Research Sophie Van Schoubroeck

Abstract

The agri-food sector plays a pivotal role in sustaining life on our planet by providing essential resources such as food, fiber, and fuel. However, the sector's impacts have extended beyond the production of food, emphasizing the need to incorporate the concept of externalities. These externalities encompass a spectrum of social and environmental impacts, both positive and negative, ranging from soil erosion and pollution to deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional agri-food systems often fail to account for them, which not only affects the industry itself, but also the broader ecosystem. To tackle these challenges, the agri-food sector must embrace a paradigm shift and transition to more sustainable business models. Agribusiness models represent various approaches, strategies and structures to engage in agricultural activities. These models are designed to generate income, create value, and contribute to the overall productivity of the agri-food sector. This project aims to establish an equilibrium between the true cost of agribusiness models and the creation of additional value. The path to this equilibrium not only entails acknowledging the costs but also recognizing the untapped potential for value creation in agribusiness models. Therefore, the first step is to develop a methodological framework tailored to agri-food systems that identifies their values and establishes robust evaluation pathways. This framework can then be applied to existing agribusiness models to assess the values associated with them. Another critical aspect is analyzing whether the cost of incorporating these values exceeds their added value. Lastly, the novel agribusiness models will be tested with stakeholders and their upscaling and outscaling possibilities will be investigated. In conclusion, the project aims to cultivate innovative agribusiness models that strike a balance between economic, social, and environmental costs and value.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Co-promoter: Anougmar Soukaina
• Co-promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

EnvEcon studies the interaction between economy, technology and the environment. The researchers of EnvEcon are part of the department of Engineering Management (Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Antwerp). EnvEcon performs excellent solution-oriented research to address sustainability challenges and problems in their economic context. EnvEcon has four research lines: i) the Economics of Climate Change and Adaptation, ii) the Circular and Biobased Economy, iii) Sustainable Development of Socio-Ecological Systems, iv) Energy Transition and Green Chemistry. A broad range of expertise is developed: conceptual and methodological aspects of assessing sustainability, techno-economic assessment, valuation of environmental impacts and the economic impact of climate change. This project proposal will focus on our research line of the economics of climate change and adaptation. The ambition is to strengthen the position of EnvEcon of being a leading European group with the following focus: 1) Develop and submit European project (Horizon Europe) proposals on climate change adaptation; 2) Participate in European and African networks to develop research tracks and new collaborations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Co-promoter: Bjornavold Amalie
• Co-promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

BLUE4ALL will align top-down regulatory demands about European (networks of) MPAs with bottom-up societal expectations as a guarantee for achieving effective, efficient and resilient MPAs and networks of MPAs which meet EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 objectives. By mobilizing stakeholders from BLUE4ALL's 25 information sites and Living Labs, i.e. locations across the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea and the North-East Atlantic regions where (networks of) MPAs have been established and from which lessons learned can be drawn about success and failure relative to how challenges were tackled, we will co-create robust and replicable social, governance, ecological and environmental tools to meet conservation and/or restoration objectives in socially sustainable and acceptable ways. These science-based tools will be tested in Living Labs, i.e. locations where (networks of) MPAs are in the process of establishment and where these tools can be fed into the ongoing MPA process. The operationalized and tested frameworks will ultimately be generalized into a Blueprint Platform for the co-creation of effective, efficient and resilient (networks of) MPAs. This scheme will separate generically encountered challenges and applied solutions from MPA (network)-specific challenges and solutions and develop guidance in a user friendly manner to end-users (i.e. MPA (network) managers and authorities). This guidance will take the shape of an interactive web based Blueprint Platform directing the end-users to those challenges and solutions most applicable to their site(s). User-friendliness and applicability will be maximized by cross-checking the Blueprint Platform development with the actors and stakeholders of the Living Labs throughout the whole process of its development. Knowledge transfer and interaction with stakeholders and society-at-large at local to regional scales will lead to the development of a platform for MPA networking to interact with communities of practice boosting the BLUE4ALL legacy to its ultimate goal to restore our oceans and waters

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Compernolle Tine
• Co-promoter: Bjornavold Amalie
• Co-promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Co-promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The ALIGNED project will deliver a modelling framework to assess and optimise the environmental and socio-economic performance of bio-based industries. ALIGNED will advance the scientific field of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (moving from TRL2-3 to TRL5) and collaborate with industries and representatives from five bio-based sectors: construction, woodworking, textile, pulp and paper, and bio-chemicals. The transition towards a sustainable economy is dependent on consistent and comparable environmental assessments of bio-based products. However, in practice today the methods to assess the impact of bio-based products give incomparable results, thus confusing decision-making. The models and tools developed in ALIGNED will allow to perform high-quality assessment studies across the bio-based sectors, with industrial relevance and interoperability. This is possible by the iterative application and improvement of the new and harmonised models and tools in five specific cases of bio-based industrial technologies (TRL 2-6), one for each sector. The ALIGNED framework will allow accurately to model key aspects not covered in current practice: the competition for biomass and for land, dynamic and time-specific carbon accounting, and biodiversity and socio-economic impacts. ALIGNED will also develop future energy and resource scenarios derived from integrated assessment models, and a consistent approach to uncertainty assessment. Key stakeholders in the five sectors will be continuously involved, by providing feedback in the early framework development and by sharing the learnings from its practical application. The professional engagement of stakeholders will secure industry relevance and acceptance delivering real impact.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Co-promoter: Buyle Matthias
• Co-promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The PATTERN project's general objective is to improve practitioners' capacity for decision making on climate and environmental policies, by developing an interactive online platform for the economic appraisal of policies and measures. To reach this general objective, the project will develop an operational integrated economic appraisal approach (WP3 and 4), deliver guidelines to bridge ex-post and exante analyses (WP1), build and demonstrate an effective participatory process to create 5 Theories of Change (WP2), build a European Community of Practice for climate and environmental policymaking (WP6), and create a One-Stop-Shop for all policy and decision makers to access and use the project results easily. PATTERN will thus provide decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public with more realistic and operational ability to systematically assess their policies and their consequences. It will provide a basis for improving (i) methodologies, techniques and models for conducting economic appraisal of climate and environmental policies (ii) the broader policy evaluation framework and practices currently used in European countries and their regions and (iii) tailored analysis and engagement strategies structures for the participation and co-creation with relevant stakeholders and key actors to enhance operational capacities and improve the impact of European policies on climate and environment. Overall, results obtained from in-depth ex-post and ex-ante analysis of the PATTERN's 5 case studies will bring new evidence on the effectiveness of various types of regulatory strategies, instruments and approaches for climate and environmental policies and insights for the design and evaluation of the implementation of major European policies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Co-promoter: Bjornavold Amalie
• Co-promoter: Compernolle Tine
• Co-promoter: Cools Jan
• Co-promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Over the last decades, Africa's agricultural sector has experienced significant changes. Some of these changes, amongst others, relate to the changing environment, the growing population, and evolving diets. Several international organizations state that the development of sustainable and resilient value chains is needed to reduce food insecurity, poverty, and environmental footprints. Moreover, they argue that a systemic approach is needed to connect production and consumption. In other words, understanding sustainable food value chains (SFVCs) through supply and demand. Still, studies about consumers' and farmers' preferences regarding SFVCs in Africa are practically non-existent and this research proposal can help fill this research gap. This research aims to understand the potential acceptance and interest of African consumers and farmers in sustainable food value chains. This will be done by means of a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) with 300 consumers and 200 farmers in Nairobi and Siaya county. More specifically this research aims to (1) disclose the perception and motivation of African farmers to (dis-)adopt climate robust practices; (2) and gain insight in the willingness of African consumers to buy sustainable food products. Moreover, besides the relevance of the research topic, this research will provide valuable methodological insights into how the Q-Methodology (Q) can be used in parallel with DCE. By applying Q in the past, we gained a better understanding of the perceptions towards SFVC by both Kenyan farmers and consumers. The Q results will be used either for defining the attributes of a DCE, or to validate the results of the DCE. This combination of both methods has rarely been used but shows great potential to combine qualitative with quantitative research

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project support the Federal Government of Belgium with economic aspects, policy measures, policy instruments and policy options regarding biodiversity. In this contest, the economic valuation of ecosystem services can be of importance.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Co-promoter: Compernolle Tine
• Co-promoter: Cools Jan
• Co-promoter: Staes Jan
• Co-promoter: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The main objective of this PhD is to develop and apply a comprehensive set of indicators to assess the sustainability of green chemicals, integrating economic, social and environmental issues. Moreover, the methodology will contribute to the evolution from existing sustainability framework for biofuels and bioenergy to sustainability frameworks encompassing green chemicals, as well.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Passel Steven
• Fellow: Van Schoubroeck Sophie

Research team(s)

• Engineering Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project