Matthias M. Welker

Contact

matthias.m.welker@ufz.de

+49 341 6025 2054

Department of System Analysis and Sustainability Assessment
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig I Deutschland

Research focus

Life cycle assessment, Absolute Sustainability Assessment, Bioeconomy, Narratives of environmental policy

Professional experience

since 2023	PhD Researcher, Graduate School: Governance Monitor – Tracking and assessing governance narratives for sustainability transformations, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Department of System Analysis and Sustainability Assessment
2022-2023	Intern/Working Student, Akzente - Sustainability Consulting (later: Akzente - part of Accenture)
2020-2023	M.Sc. Management Science - Specialisation: Sustainability Management, Leipzig University. Master's thesis: "Estimating Costs and Benefits of Restoring the Leipzig Floodplain Forest"
2020-2022	Research Assistant, Fraunhofer IMW, Working Group: Business Models - Engineering and Innovation

News

UFZ Research Award 2024

Daniela Thrän, Danial Esmaeili, Matthias Jordan and Nora Mittelstädt receive the UFZ Research Award as a team for their achievements in realizing sustainable biomass use for climate neutrality in Germany. With the EE-Monitor and the BENOPT model system, they have developed essential solutions for sustainable biomass use against the background of limited land areas and scarce biomass availability.

BfN-Schriften 683 - Monitoring der Naturverträglichkeit des Ausbaus der erneuerbaren Energien im Strombereich („EEMonReport“)

The publication of the research project EEMonReport includes a detailed description of the web application EE-Monitor, which describes relevant aspects of the expansion of renewable energies over time. One example is the distance of wind turbines from protected areas. The BfN report documents the data basis as well as the technical development and structure of the web application. In particular, the functionalities and corresponding representations are explained in detail in the form of a handbook.

Download BfN-Schrift 683 (only in German)

EE-Monitor - Monitoring for a nature-friendly energy transition

The EE-Monitor ("Renewable Energy Monitor") provides a scientifically sound basis for the social debate on the nature-compatible expansion of renewable energies in Germany. The EE-Monitor supports the identification of both undesirable developments and positive trends in the nature-friendly expansion of renewable energies.

EE-Monitor Website

InPositiv - How renewable energies can have a positive effect on nature and biodiversity.

Renewable energies are a key technology for climate protection. But what does this mean in concrete terms for nature and the landscape - beyond known negative consequences? The research project InPositiv addresses this question and looks specifically at positive effects of renewables. InPositiv is a project of nature conservation associations, universities and specialist offices and is aimed at everyone who asks how an energy transition that is compatible with nature can succeed.

InPositiv Website

Publication of the results report of the first phase of the Helmholtz-Climate-Initiative (HI-CAM): HI-CAM Publications - "Final Report Phase 1"

Task 44: Flexible Bioenergy and System Integration

Release of the discussion paper: "Five cornerstones to unlock the potential of flexible bioenergy". The paper and further publications can be downloaded here:

IEA Publications

alpha ARD Bildungskanal - "Can it go away or is it bioeconomy?" with Daniela Thrän

Sustainable economic activity is only possible if the complex bioeconomy system of biological processes, products, services and knowledge works. Bioeconomist Daniela Thrän from the Helmholtz Association's UFZ explains what role cities play in this.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniela Thrän appointed Chair of the Bioeconomy Council

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) appointed the members of the new Bioeconomy Council. With Daniela Thrän and Iris Lewandowski, the council has now selected two female scientists from among its ranks to serve on its chair for the next three years.

UFZ press release 03/2021

Bioeconomy Council

DLF - Wissenschaft im Brennpunkt: "The promise of the bioeconomy - the same in green?" with Daniela Thrän and Harald Wedwitschka

The concept sounds good: coal, crude oil, natural gas, but also plastic, synthetic fibers or cosmetics will be replaced - by substances that nature provides us with. But how great is the potential of the bioeconomy really? Can consumption and growth continue as before, only in green?

Daniela Thrän on "Wissenschaft kontrovers": "Sustainability barriers in the energy industry" (YouTube)

Why is the bioeconomy so complicated? At #WissenschaftKontrovers on 25.11.2020, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Berg (TU Clausthal), Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert (German Institute for Economic Research) and Prof. Dr. Daniela Thrän (UFZ, DBFZ) discussed the topic of "Sustainability & Bioenergy"

Contact

Department Head:
Prof. Dr-Ing. Daniela Thrän
Department Bioenergy
daniela.thraen@ufz.de

Assistance:
Nina Tempelhoff
nina.tempelhoff@ufz.de
Tel.: 0341 6025 3947

Postal Address:
Postfach 500 136 | 04301 Leipzig

Visitor Address:
Permoserstr. 15 | 04318 Leipzig