The researchers at our institute are united by a common goal: advancing five key areas of development. These areas form the nexus that connects and integrates the diverse disciplines and specializations across our institution.
Water, soil and air pollution threaten ecosystems and human health, and affect essential services such as water supply, public health and productivity in the primary sector. Effective pollution management requires strengthening prevention and control measures, promoting sustainable treatment technologies and improving analytical methods for detection and monitoring. Furthermore, given the close interconnection between human, animal, plant and environmental health, it is essential to adopt a multisectoral and transdisciplinary ‘One Health’ approach to tackle the challenges posed by environmental pollution.
Reliance on fossil fuels jeopardises the security, affordability and sustainability of the energy system. This calls for the accelerated development and deployment of renewable generation technologies and new energy carriers, as well as storage systems that enable their effective integration into the grid. Furthermore, measures are required to improve energy efficiency and the management of renewable generation, ensuring its proper integration into the energy system.
The linear model of production and consumption puts pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. In response, the circular economy seeks to extend the use of resources, reduce waste and reintegrate it into production processes. In this context, technologies for the recovery of waste streams, by-products and biomass are key, alongside sustainable extraction and purification processes to produce fuels, chemicals, ingredients and materials, thereby reducing dependence on virgin raw materials and promoting sustainable value chains.
The green and digital transitions must proceed hand in hand to achieve a climate-neutral industry. In this context, the modelling, optimisation, automation and digitalisation of industrial processes are key to improving their efficiency, quality and sustainability. Furthermore, analytical methods based on operations research and data analysis enable sustainability criteria to be integrated into decision-making. These capabilities foster production systems that are more flexible, resilient and efficient in their use of resources.
Achieving sustainable, resilient and healthy food systems requires reducing their environmental and climate impact, making better use of resources, and ensuring healthy and affordable diets. To this end, it is essential to advance the circularity and efficiency of food chains by making the most of co-products and by-products and through high-precision processes; to reduce emissions and environmental impacts through practices such as organic farming and protein crops; and to deepen our understanding of the relationship between food, health and the microbiomes of food systems.