BECC - a historical background
A strategic research area funded by the Swedish Government
The Government bill on research and innovation of 2008 proposed an increased support for research of strategic value to the society. BECC was chosen as one of the Strategic Research Areas (SRA) and has since 2010 received funding from the Swedish Government to focus on the effects of climate change on natural resources, ecosystem services and biodiversity in a collaboration between Lund University and University of Gothenburg.
The Government bill on research and innovation of 2008 proposed an increased support for research of strategic value to the society. 24 research areas were considered strategic for Swedish competitiveness and growth. The Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet, VR), the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FORTE, earlier called FAS), the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences, and Spatial Planning (Formas), the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten), and the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA) were commissioned to organise, review and recommend the allocation of funds to Swedish universities. 43 Strategic Research Area environments were granted financing from 2010. Three criteria for becoming an SRA were of special importance:
- research that, in the long term, has the prerequisites to be of the highest international quality,
- research that can contribute towards fulfilling major needs and solving important problems in society, and
- research in areas that have a connection with the Swedish business sector.
The SRAs were evaluated in 2014-2105 and BECC received positive feedback and was in the research bill of 2016 proposed to receive continued funding.
Cooperation with other Strategic Research Areas
BECC cooperates with its sister SRA MERGE, ModElling the Regional and Global Earth System, coordinated at Lund University but also with a branch at the University of Gothenburg where BECCN and MERGE has a joint steering group. MERGE performs strategic research on key global and regional Earth System models, focusing on the terrestrial biosphere as a critical climate component, leading to improved local, regional and global climate models with climate/vegetation interactions.
Together, BECC and MERGE co-fund the research school ClimBEco - Climate, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing World.
Strategic Research Areas at Lund University
Lund University coordinates eight SRAs and is a partner in two. The university’s strategy for SRAs emphasises research excellence and long‑term scientific goals.