Metabolic Institute

Metabolic Institute is a non-profit organization working at the intersection of academic research and real-world experimentation.

We develop and share open-source tools and resources that drive meaningful change throughout bioeconomic and urban systems. The Institute’s mission is to use scientific knowledge to inspire practical actions toward a sustainable economy and enriched society. We use the latest digital tools and data science to create solutions that are both innovative and practical.

Our work is grounded in principles of applied research and systems thinking. With a deep understanding of the unique needs and cultures of the communities we support, we ensure that each solution is relevant and impactful. By combining this approach with insights that inform effective, sustainable policies, we aim to drive meaningful change that lasts.

Advancing open-source knowledge on global sustainability challenges.

As champions of open-source knowledge, we believe in the democratization of information and the power of collaborative learning. Embracing emerging opportunities in digital technologies, we continue to innovate in data science methodologies. As advocates for systems thinking, Metabolic Institute also understands the critical role of policy in shaping our collective future and aims to develop insights that inform future-fit policy development.

Our focus areas

Bioeconomy

Supporting the transition toward a global regenerative economy.

The Bioeconomy team focuses on economic activities involving the production, transformation, use, and disposal of food, timber, fuel, fiber, and other materials derived exclusively from renewable biological resources.

Using our scientific expertise, we tackle challenges in circular bioeconomic value chains and regenerative bioregions. We create and share models, frameworks, and principles, collaborating with diverse organizations to co-create, test, and implement solutions.

Our focus areas:

Bioregional Metabolism Scans

We assess the local bioeconomy’s impact on health, equity, and the environment, while building consortia for collaborative action across communities.

Sustainable Land Use and Nature-Based Solutions

We map rural land management, build frameworks to identify trade-offs among current and potential local land use practices, and work with communities to identify and deploy nature-based solutions that support a transition to sustainable systems, informing policymakers on the best path forward.

Regenerative Bio-based Value Chains

We also zoom into specific value chains to assess the interactions of multiple supply chains and cross-sectoral use of biomass resources and their environmental impacts. To identify points of resource competition, and opportunities for material cascading, regenerative best practices, and symbiotic circularity interventions.

Urban Transitions

Harnessing the potential of cities as drivers of regeneration and systemic innovation.

Harnessing the potential of cities as drivers of regeneration and systemic innovation, the Urban Transitions team focuses on reshaping how urban areas manage resources—optimizing the flows of energy, materials, and waste flows to move beyond sustainability toward true regeneration.

By adopting a holistic view of urban systems, we develop solutions that enable cities to become thriving, resilient economies. Our work focuses on key areas such as consumption-based emissions, and supporting cities in reaching climate neutrality through programs, like the NetZeroCities program.

We believe urban transformation requires bold policy interventions and collaborative action, empowering cities to combat climate change and lead the way to a sustainable, equitable future.

Who We Work With

Academic and Research Institutes

We collaborate with other research institutes and universities to drive groundbreaking interdisciplinary research that addresses complex environmental, social, and economic challenges, with the potential to lead to systemic change.

Cities and Rural Communities

By working with local governments and communities, we support cities and rural communities with data-based research in our areas of expertise, such as policy analysis, consumer-based emissions, nature-based solutions, and sustainable land use.

EU Institutions

We inform EU institutions and support them in implementing ambitious sustainability policies by providing our expertise in systems thinking, environmental data sciences, policy development, and implementation strategies that align with the EU’s vision for a sustainable, resilient economy.

Philanthropies and Foundations

We partner with philanthropies and foundations to design and implement impactful projects that promote new urban and bioeconomy models.

Highlighted projects

LandShift: Transforming Land Use for Climate-Resilient Rural Communities

LandShift, with contributions from Metabolic Institute, is transforming land use across Europe by developing innovative, nature-based solutions aligned with the…