CONSOLE Project - Deliverable 2.5 - "EIP-AGRI abstract on current experience and existing initiatives on collective, result-based and value chain solutions for AECPG provision"

To improve the provision of agri-environmental-climate public goods (AECPGs) from agriculture and forestry, new solutions, such as result-based payments or collective implementation, and new strategies along the value chain might help. The analysis of ca. 120 case studies in and outside EU showed that many real-life cases of implementation combine different contract types. Collective implementation can be a precondition for environmental effectiveness, particularly if AECPGs are addressed that can be hardly improved by measures on single plots, (e.g. water quality). Result-based contracts can target specific AECPGs and increase engagement of land-managers due to flexible management choices. Some recommendations for contract design and implementation are distilled: 1.) Targeting contracts to specific regions addresses regional criticalities and enhances the farmers’ and foresters’ interest and understanding of measures. 2.) Involving land-managers in target-setting and measure development leads to higher compatibility with their businesses and can create win-win situations. 3.) Involving control authorities in the design of indicators in result-based schemes can guarantee integrability into RDPs. 4.) Fostering bottom-up approaches and involving regional key actors as coordinating units enhances commitment and motivation in collective approaches. 5.) Guaranteeing good levels of equity and fairness enhances acceptance particularly in value-chain based solutions. It becomes clear that result-based and collective solutions don’t fit in each context situation, as they often demand high levels of knowledge and collaborative skills. Value chain approaches are often only suited if consumers’ awareness is high

CONSOLE Project - Deliverable 2.1 - "Catalogue of descriptive factsheets of all European case studies"

This document represents deliverable D2.1 “Catalogue of descriptive factsheets of all European case studies” within workpackage WP2 “Diagnostic of existing experiences on agri-environmantal-climate public goods (AECPGs)” of the EU Horizon 2020 project CONSOLE. The document describes the objectives and process of data collection and provides a catalogue of 60 factsheets. The factsheets illustrate 58 European (EU) case study examples of contract solutions for the improved provision of AECPGs. Also, the catalogue contains 2 examples beyond Europe, of which 1 comes from the USA and 1 from Guadaloupe (FR)

Exploring macro-environmental factors influencing adoption of result-based and collective agri-environmental measures: a PESTLE approach based on stakeholder statements

To promote more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective agri-environmental-climate measures in the EU, novel approaches such as result-based and collective schemes are advocated. This study explores macro-environmental factors facilitating or impeding the adoption of such schemes. By means of a PESTLE analysis and based on a survey of 85 stakeholders from Austria and Germany, we identify major adoption factors within the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental domains. Our results indicate that economic, legal, and social factors are the most influential, with fair payment, clear contract design, and social relations being the most commonly mentioned. Moreover, the unpredictability of nature is a major impediment to the adoption of result-based schemes, while social dynamics and farmers' attitudes are key factors for a successful implementation of collective contracts. Overall, the study provides strategic and practical insights that can support the design and implementation of novel agri-environmental-climate measures under the Common Agricultural Policy

CONSOLE Project - Deliverable 1.1 - "Preliminary framework"

The objective of this document is to provide an initial conceptual framework for the project CONSOLE. The initial framework aims at providing a basis for interpretation of the project activities, hence connecting project objectives, approach and the state of the art about the topic. In order to achieve this objective, this initial version of the framework takes mainly the approach of an organized broad literature review in support of the project expected activities. It also aims at identifying the relevant definitions and scope for the project. Finally and foremost, it investigates the tentative logic of a preliminary conceptual framework to be further developed into an operational framework in the following tasks of WP1 (and of the project as a whole). In order to meet these tasks, the literature considered is not restricted to the specific contract types addressed by the project (see below), but rather attempts to contextualise these contract types in the wider literature on agri- environmental-climate public goods (AECPGs) provision by agriculture and forestry. In doing so, we acknowledge the wide variety of hybrid and mixed solutions that may be relevant in practice. In addition, we have tried to review specifically the most recent scientific literature, including the most debated issues; some classical concepts that are well established in the literature may be neglected or under-represented here

Establishing a Mental Health Surveillance in Germany: Development of a framework concept and indicator set

In the course of the recognition of mental health as an essential component of population health, the Robert Koch Institute has begun developing a Mental Health Surveillance (MHS) system for Germany. MHS aims to continuously report data for relevant mental health indicators, thus creating a basis for evidence-based planning and evaluation of public health measures. In order to develop a set of indicators for the adult population, potential indicators were identified through a systematic literature review and selected in a consensus process by international and national experts and stakeholders. The final set comprises 60 indicators which, together, represent a multidimensional public health framework for mental health across four fields of action. For the fifth field of action ‘Mental health promotion and prevention’ indicators still need to be developed. The methodology piloted proved to be practicable. Strengths and limitations will be discussed regarding the search and definition of indicators, the scope of the indicator set as well as the participatory decision-making process. Next steps in setting up the MHS will be the operationalisation of the single indicators and their extension to also cover children and adolescents. Given assured data availability, the MHS will contribute to broadening our knowledge on population mental health, supporting a targeted promotion of mental health and reducing the disease burden in persons with mental disorders

Genome-Scale Networks Link Neurodegenerative Disease Genes to α-Synuclein through Specific Molecular Pathways

Numerous genes and molecular pathways are implicated in neurodegenerative proteinopathies, but their inter-relationships are poorly understood. We systematically mapped molecular pathways underlying the toxicity of alpha-synuclein (α-syn), a protein central to Parkinson's disease. Genome-wide screens in yeast identified 332 genes that impact α-syn toxicity. To “humanize” this molecular network, we developed a computational method, TransposeNet. This integrates a Steiner prize-collecting approach with homology assignment through sequence, structure, and interaction topology. TransposeNet linked α-syn to multiple parkinsonism genes and druggable targets through perturbed protein trafficking and ER quality control as well as mRNA metabolism and translation. A calcium signaling hub linked these processes to perturbed mitochondrial quality control and function, metal ion transport, transcriptional regulation, and signal transduction. Parkinsonism gene interaction profiles spatially opposed in the network (ATP13A2/PARK9 and VPS35/PARK17) were highly distinct, and network relationships for specific genes (LRRK2/PARK8, ATXN2, and EIF4G1/PARK18) were confirmed in patient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. This cross-species platform connected diverse neurodegenerative genes to proteinopathy through specific mechanisms and may facilitate patient stratification for targeted therapy. Keywords: alpha-synuclein; iPS cell; Parkinson’s disease; stem cell; mRNA translation; RNA-binding protein; LRRK2; VPS35; vesicle trafficking; yeas

Data from the German TwinLife Study: Genetic and Social Origins of Educational Predictors, Processes, and Outcomes

The major aim of the German TwinLife study is the investigation of gene-environment interplay driving educational and other inequalities across developmental trajectories from childhood to early adulthood. TwinLife encompasses an 8-year longitudinal, cross-sequential extended twin family design with data from same-sex twins of four age cohorts (5, 11, 17, and 23 years) and their parents, as well as their non-twin siblings, partners, and children, if available, altogether containing N = 4,096 families. As such, TwinLife includes unique and openly accessible data that allows, but is not limited to, genetically informative and environmentally sensitive research on sources of inequalities regarding educational attainment, school achievement, and skill development

Aufbau einer Mental Health Surveillance in Deutschland: Entwicklung von Rahmenkonzept und Indikatorenset

Im Zuge der Anerkennung psychischer Gesundheit als wesentlicher Bestandteil der Bevölkerungsgesundheit wird am Robert Koch-Institut eine Mental Health Surveillance (MHS) für Deutschland aufgebaut. Ziel der MHS ist die kontinuierliche Berichterstattung relevanter Kennwerte zum Zweck einer evidenzbasierten Planung und Evaluation von Public-Health- Maßnahmen. Zur Entwicklung eines Indikatorensets für die erwachsene Bevölkerung wurden potenzielle Indikatoren durch eine systematische Literaturrecherche identifiziert und in einem strukturierten Konsentierungsprozess durch internationale und nationale Expertinnen und Experten beziehungsweise Stakeholder ausgewählt. Das finale Set enthält 60 Indikatoren, die ein mehrdimensionales Public-Health-Rahmenkonzept psychischer Gesundheit in vier Handlungsfeldern abbilden. Im fünften Handlungsfeld „Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention“ besteht Bedarf der Indikatorenentwicklung. Die pilotierte Methodik erwies sich als praktikabel. Diskutiert werden Stärken und Limitationen der Recherche und Definition von Indikatoren, der Umfang des Indikatorensets sowie die partizipative Entscheidungsfindung. Nächste Schritte zur Etablierung der MHS bestehen in der Operationalisierung von Indikatoren und der Erweiterung unter anderem auf das Kindes- und Jugendalter. Bei gesicherter Datenverfügbarkeit wird die MHS zum Wissen über die Gesundheit der Bevölkerung beitragen und die gezielte Förderung psychischer Gesundheit sowie die Verringerung der Krankheitslast psychischer Störungen unterstützen

Factors Influencing the Willingness to Pay for Aquaponic Products in a Developed Food Market: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Even in highly developed food markets, aquaponic products have not yet been successfully introduced. This is particularly surprising, as aquaponics is an excellent example of a sustainable circulation food production system. The purpose of this empirical study was to determine the factors that influence consumers’ willingness to pay for aquaponic products. The direct and indirect relationships were tested via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Primary data of 315 respondents from Austria were collected. The findings revealed that the willingness to pay for aquaponic products was significantly and directly driven by the purchase intention. As a result, the successful implementation of aquaponics in the market requires the provision of information for consumers. We suggest emphasizing the value of aquaponics as a sustainable food production system, since indirect factors that influence the willingness to pay are (besides the assessment of aquaponics) environmental awareness and green consumption

Agrarumweltleistungen durch ergebnisbasierte und kollektive Vertragslösungen - Erkenntnisse aus Befragungen in Österreich und Deutschland

In this report we present the survey results from Germany and Austria on two agri-environmental measures that are not yet well established in practice in these countries, namely result-based and collective environmental protection. Farmers and stakeholders were surveyed separately. The two questionnaires per country were conducted in spring 2021 at a time when the European legal framework for the CAP after 2022 was already known. In this framework, both result-based payment and collective implementation are offered as options for agri-environmental and climate measures (AECM). At the time of the survey, the respective national arrangements of the CAP had not yet been published. Agri-environmental measures compensate farmers for environmental and climate services on a contractual basis. Farmers will only decide to participate on a voluntary basis if the measures are attractive to them. Within the framework of Agri-environmental measures compensate farmers for environmental and climate services on a contractual basis. However, farmers will only decide to participate on a voluntary basis if the measures are attractive to them. In order to find out which contractual characteristics positively influence the willingness to participate in the two types of contracts examined here, farmers in Austria and in Germany were surveyed online. In addition, the opinions on the practicability and economic efficiency of the result-based and collective contracts were surveyed. A total of 152 surveys from Austria and 146 from Germany were analysed. Since a large number of stakeholders are involved in the conception, implementation and/or monitoring of AECM, stakeholders in Austria and Germany were also interviewed in writing. Stakeholders were also asked to indicate which external factors, beyond the control of the farmers themselves, they believe inhibit or encourage participation in result-based or collective contracts. For this purpose, the PESTLE2 approach, originally developed for strategic business decisions, was adapted to this question. In this way, it was possible to explore in detail which political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors play a role in result-based or collective contracts. 34 questionnaires from stakeholders in Austria and 51 from Germany were analysed. Both Austrian and German farmers prefer the result-based contract type for future participation over other new types of contracts such as collective, value chain-oriented contracts and land leases with environmental requirements. Specific contract characteristics are of crucial importance here. The proportion of farmers who indicated that they were likely or very likely to participate in result-based contracts was significantly higher than for the collective contract. The result-based contract was also rated better than the collective contract in terms of practical feasibility and economic efficiency by farmers as well as stakeholders from both countries. There are differences in the countries especially in the assessment of the Austrian stakeholders regarding the practical feasibility of the collective contract. There was particularly little agreement here. In both countries, stakeholders rate the economic efficiency of collective agreements significantly higher than farmers. Environmental aspects that stakeholders and farmers say can be improved well with a result-based contract type are "biodiversity" and "landscape and scenery", but "soil quality" was also mentioned relatively often. In collective contracts, all parties mentioned "landscape and scenery" most frequently, followed by "biodiversity". Moreover, German stakeholders can well imagine that collective contracts are suitable for improving "water quality". In terms of the external factors that the stakeholders surveyed believe to influence farmers' adoption and participation in result-based and collective contracts, the responses cover a wide range of hindering and facilitating factors. For result-based contracts, economic factors were most frequently mentioned, especially a comprehensible premium calculation as well as adequate financial remuneration; for collective approaches, it was social factors. The calculation of premiums in result-based contracts was considered difficult, as environmental results are not always immediately visible or attributable to individual farmers. In addition, (extreme) weather events can affect environmental outcomes, putting payments to farmers at risk. To overcome such difficulties, combinations of basic payments and additional performance payments or staggered payments for reaching intermediate targets have been proposed. In collective approaches, a positive group dynamic is seen as crucial for success. "Together" and "we-feeling" were mentioned as core prerequisites for a good functioning. Trust within the group of farmers as well as with the authorities and other actors involved is also seen as conducive. As a major obstacle to collective approaches, several participants mentioned the additional coordination and communication effort that requires adequate funding. Clear rules and a clearly defined distribution of tasks were also emphasised, among other things to avoid free-rider behaviour. In summary, the comparative examination of the attitudes and opinions of German and Austrian farmers made it possible to identify contract-specific commonalities and differences between the two countries. Differences become apparent, inter alia, in the future willingness to participate and the assessment of the suitability of result-based or collective contracts for the protection of selected environmental goods