to Prof. Dr Reinhard F. Hüttl, Chairman of the BioEconomyCouncil

Over the past two weeks at the United Nations world climate summit, representatives from 192 countries have discussed binding targets to combat global warming. What future role can relatively less discussed fields such as soil usage or animal and plant breeding play in this? Five questions on this subject to Reinhard F. Hüttl, Chairman of the BioEconomyCouncil.

1. Even after Copenhagen, the world will continue to wrestle over binding targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions. To what extent should the international community now be discussing adaptation measures as well as reduction targets?

Hüttl: It is essential that, besides the uncontested importance of reducing greenhouse gases – in fact it is of equal importance – that there is also debate about ‘adaptation’ to the effects of climate dynamics that are already taking place. In the north German lowlands, for example, we can expect increased dry or drought periods, while in the low mountain ranges in Germany rainfall will increase, with more frequent storms.

2. Which areas of the bio-economy are you thinking about here? Is the exploration of greenhouse gas reductions in agriculture already satisfactory, or is there still potential for further research?

Hüttl: As far as greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture are concerned, we basically understand the processes. But we have much less knowledge about their quantitative classification. For example, a discussion between leading soil scientists in Germany revealed that, at present, it is impossible to say with any certainty whether our soils in Germany, which are some of the most thoroughly researched in the world, represent a carbon sink or a carbon source. This alone makes clear that the global carbon models – at least as far as the processes of the earth’s surface are concerned – can only simulate on the basis of rough estimates.

3. The global demand for foodstuffs based on protein is growing. At the same time agriculture – especially livestock farming – is being held responsible for a considerable proportion of emissions. Given this, how do you judge the role of research?

Hüttl: As with livestock farming we are mainly talking about methane emissions, which are 20 to 30 times more potent than CO2 emissions, it is crucial within the climate debate to look at the rapid global increase in the consumption of meat products. In this field, the onus is on research to develop better or new approaches in environmentally friendly livestock farming.

4. Soils are one of the most important basic elements of life and production. Because of the increasing need for biomass, a growing global population, and the effects of climate change, demands are rapidly increasing here, too. Can soils possible satisfy the demands placed on them?

Hüttl: It is true that ever more demands are being placed on the capacities of our soils. More intensive land use frequently goes hand in hand with substantial processes of degradation, such as soil compaction, soil erosion, reduced fertility, lower soil bio-diversity, even desertification. Even though in Germany we have a high degree of expertise in soil science, this discipline has become fragmented. We now need to restructure it, so that – perhaps on the basis of a nationwide network – we can implement the soil research agenda. In view of climate change and other challenges, this is absolutely essential.

5. Climate change and plant breeding. For a ‘bio-based economy’, in the future plants will be used more widely than in the past – not only for food and feed, but also for industry and as sources of energy. In your view, is this possible, and if so, how?

Hüttl: Biomass production is at the very heart of the work of the ‘Bio-economy’ Research and Technology Council. The constantly rising demand for biological production can be satisfied if we use all the technologies available to us, but always with an eye to sustainability. Here I would particularly like to mention green gene technology, synthetic biology, optimised processes of molecular biology, and new approaches in material research – especially in the area of nanotechnology. As well as an intensification of research in these areas, there is also a great need for public communication and acceptance over the issues. This is where the natural and technological sciences are being pushed to their limits; this is where we need interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.