On 27 January, Dr Axel Berger delivered a keynote lecture for the 8th International BioSC Symposium. He stressed the necessity of inclusive identification of transformation pathways and adequate communication of transformation measures.
The Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) is a competence center, established by the RWTH Aachen University, the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, the University of Bonn and the Forschungszentrum Jülich, which bundles scientific competence, resources and innovative infrastructure on the bioeconomy.
The symposium brought together experts from academia, industry, civil society and politics and served as a platform for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange for a sustainable bioeconomy. It focussed on the question of how bio-based solutions can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his keynote lecture “Accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in a (geo)politicised world: What role for Germany and Europe”, Axel Berger outlined Germany’s progress in implementing the SDGs domestically. However, he noted that Germany is lagging behind in critical areas like climate action, and occupies one of the final places regarding negative spillover effects that prevent other countries from advancing the 2030 Agenda.
He emphasised that continued European commitment to the Agenda– which has appeared uncertain at times in the past year– is essential for its implementation. Against the backdrop of worrying trends of autocratisation, social tensions and political polarisation, Axel Berger outlined the possibility and importance of mobilising social and political majorities for global structural transformation in pursuit of climate stabilisation and sustainable futures.