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Social benefits of the research
Research relating to sustainability issues is driving a positive change in society. Here at IVL, we make science a reality and include the global goals in all our operations.
IVL WORKING ON THE UN’S GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Agenda 2030 and the UN’s global goals constitute the world’s common sustainability agenda. IVL works locally, nationally and internationally to contribute to sustainable development. Our starting point is the belief that research and the dissemination of knowledge are key when it comes to solving environmental and sustainability problems.
In 2015, the UN’s Member States adopted Agenda 2030, a universal plan for sustainable development. It incorporates 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or Global Goals) divided into 169 targets, which must be achieved by the 2030. Agenda 2030 and the Global Goals represent the most ambitious agreement for sustainable development arrived at between the countries of the world. The concept of sustainable development includes the three sustainability dimensions – social, economic and environmental.
In order for the world to succeed in achieving the Global Goals, research, knowledge and innovation are required. We have to find new solutions locally, nationally and globally. These solutions require collaboration, both domestically as well as internationally. Sweden is at the forefront as regards sustainability work and can play a leading role globally when it comes to research and innovation contributing to the Global Goals.
IVL works with all the sustainability dimensions, and has projects and tools that contribute to greater social, economic and environmental sustainability. Together with our clients and partners, we are building knowledge and developing solutions to achieve sustainable development.
IVL’s work is characterised by a holistic approach and a life cycle perspective. Our ambition is to identify synergies and conflicting aims, and to propose measures and solutions that will contribute to Agenda 2030 as a whole.
Climate expert participating in the Environmental Objectives Committee’s working group on consumption
IVL’s employee Lars Zetterberg is participating in the Environmental Objectives Committee’s new working group, which will be developing goals and strategies for how Sweden can reduce the climate impact from consumption. For example, the Committee will propose interim targets regarding the climate effects from aviation, as well as ascertaining how the climate policy framework can make an impact in public procurement.
“These are important issues, so it’s great to be involved in influencing the proposals that are being produced. We have reduced emissions in Sweden, but if we include what is beyond the country’s borders, we haven’t improved that much,” said Lars Zetterberg, whose duties includes leading the Mistra Carbon Exit interdisciplinary research programme at IVL.
The Environmental Objectives Committee helps the Government with the national environmental goals and provides a basis for how to develop them strategically and how to achieve the goals. In October 2020, the Environmental Objectives Committee was given a supplementary assignment to propose a comprehensive strategy for reducing the climate impact from consumption. For example, the Committee will review how the climate policy framework can make an impact in public procurement.
IVL researcher appointed Professor of Sustainable Consumption
KTH has appointed IVL’s employee Michael Martin as Adjunct Professor in Sustainable consumption and production. The aim is to break new ground in the research with the aid of lifecycle perspectives, as well as to strengthen the collaboration between KTH and IVL.
The position of Adjunct Professor is based in the Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED) at KTH. In addition to strategic research into sustainable production and consumption, the service involves guiding PhD students and undergraduates and entails an extended opportunity to influence and contribute to education.
“Michael’s research will reinforce and complement the expertise that is available at KTH in matters relating to food, lifecycle perspectives and industrial symbiosis. It will also strengthen our national and international networks,” said Göran Finnveden, professor at KTH SEED. Michael Martin is a trained mechanical engineer from the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in sustainable development and technology from KTH, and is a Doctor of Technology in environmental systems analysis and environmental management from Linköping University. In recent years, Michael Martin’s research has dealt extensively with sustainable food systems, focusing on issues such as diet, public procurement, various packaging systems and future food production systems.
“Above all, I’m interested in analysing and developing methods that highlight the impact and consequences of various consumption and production systems. In recent years, I’ve also become increasingly fascinated by the way lifecycle-based information and various labelling systems are used in society and what governs this. It’s also important to include such perspectives in the research and in the courses at KTH,” says Michael Martin.
The Government has appointed Östen Ekengren, senior adviser at IVL, as a member of the Collaboration Programme for Trade and Industry on Climate Change. The programme aims to create innovative solutions to societal challenges and contribute to the competitiveness of the business sector.
Östen Ekengren has worked at IVL since 1978 and has been involved, for example, in building up the environmental technology unit as well as the unit that works with sustainable production and consumption. He has been active in China since 1986 as well as in many other countries, including India where, in addition to building up capacity, he has also helped to increase exports of Swedish solutions. In recent years, Östen Ekengren has also held the role of business developer for the Smart City Sweden export platform. This assignment provides an opportunity to convert interested visits into business opportunities.
“I am passionate about creating sustainable climate solutions that we will also be able to export. This will be our most important contribution to the world as a whole being able to meet climate targets, at the same time as we are creating meaningful employment in Sweden. There are considerable opportunities for Swedish business to be at the forefront,” says Östen Ekengren.
IVL’s mobility and transport expert, Anders Roth, has been appointed investigative secretary of the Climate Law Inquiry. His task will be to reinforce the expertise in relation to a transport-efficient society, which is one of two areas on which the inquiry will be focusing.
“It feels both fun and important to have the opportunity to work on concrete legislative proposals for a more transport-efficient society. The transition to a climate-neutral transport system needs to be speeded up, in addition to which the current measures for transport efficiency are too weak and too few in number,” says Anders Roth.
In December 2019, the Government decided to conduct a review of the legislation in order to achieve Sweden’s climate goals. A final report from this assignment will be issued in May 2022 at the latest.
“The objective is to identify solutions that will increase accessibility in society, at the same time as reducing the use of energy-intensive modes of transport, thereby reducing emissions and other environmental effects. These are issues that are close to my heart and where IVL has conducted a great deal of research and numerous projects, for example in relation to infrastructure planning,” says Anders Roth.
