Ambitious plant-fuel plan boosted in global research

Ambitious global plans to produce plant-based fuels of the future amid the changing climate will be boosted by University of Essex researchers.

Professor George Chryssochoidis and Dr Hyerhim Kim from Essex Business School (EBS) have received £700,000 for this project.

They will explore consumer behaviour, market acceptance, and stakeholder involvement in driving sustainable bio-economy innovations.

It is part of a £7.7m drive to produce high-energy, water-efficient crops while also understanding consumer attitudes and market preferences.

Innovative Partnership

The funding is for the US-based Alliance for Socially-Acceptable & Actionable Plant (ASAP).

It is led by Professors Tracy Lawson, currently based within the School of Life Sciences, and Andrew Leakey from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This innovative partnership aims to develop advanced fuels from genetically modified plants whilst developing climate change-resistant crops.

It will do this through collaboration with international partners, including the Research Council of Finland, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and UK Research and Innovation.

'Faster progress'

Professor Lawson said: “Faster progress towards a sustainable bio-economy is essential to reduce carbon emissions and ensure the production of cleaner energy.

“One key goal is improving feedstock-crop performance and resilience.

“We are excited to be working with partners from around the world to tackle this important challenge, including understanding the social elements of technology acceptance.”

EBS will play a pivotal role in this drive, addressing urgent climate challenges while focusing on the societal and economic implications of this work.

They will also produce sustainable business and public policy recommendations that will have a lasting global impact.

The funding comes as part of the USA’s National Science Foundation Global Centers award.

It prioritises public engagement and workforce development, with a keen focus on the impacts on communities.

Multi-disciplinary 

The Global Center uses a multi-disciplinary team of scientists from four countries to blend breakthroughs in genetics, protein modelling, synthetic biology, AI, and biotechnology.

“Global Centres are leveraging expertise and resources across nations and uniting multidisciplinary teams to accelerate innovations in the bioeconomy,” said its director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

“Together, we are creating solutions to pressing socioeconomic challenges that affect us all.”

Through robust public and industry engagement, this Global Centre will ensure that consumer attitudes and market preferences are central to its technological advancements.

Professor Ileana Steccolini, Director of Research at EBS, said: “Receiving this substantial award will further enhance the significant knowledge EBS possesses in the bio-economy and solidify its position among the leaders in this field.”