I obtained my MSc in Sustainability, Culture and Development (2014) from Durham University. I subsequently worked at the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change (Malta) on international environmental issues at the European Council and UNEP. In 2016, I joined the chair group Animal Production Systems where I worked on the science-policy interface on the ''battle for biomass'' i.e. the competition for biomass, land and resources across food, feed, fuel and material uses. After obtaining my PhD in 2021 I was a researcher at Animal Production Systems working on research & education on how to achieve a circular bio-based society. I currently work at Corporate Strategy and Accounts in the Joint Programming Team where I work on public-to-public research networks and at the (EU) science-policy interface on food system, climate and bioeconomy topics. In particular, I work on Joint Programming Initiatives as the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (faccejpi.net) and the ERA-NET Cofund for monitoring & mitigation of Greenhouse gases from agri- and silvi-culture. 

If you are interested in my research or the work I do at the science-policy interface please go to this page: https://research.wur.nl/en/persons/abigail-muscat 

Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI)

The Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI) brings together 24 countries comprised of EU Member States, Associated Countries, and New Zealand, who are committed to building an integrated European Research Area addressing the interconnected challenges of sustainable agriculture, food security and impacts of climate change.

The Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI) was launched in 2010, and currently brings together 24 member countries1. Its aim is to build the European Research Area (ERA) tackling the challenges at the intersection of agriculture, food security and climate change that cannot be addressed solely at the national level. This is being realised through the alignment and integration of national and European research programmes, the funding of new research programmes, and through exploring innovative approaches for the member countries to work together to address the challenge of ensuring a secure food supply to an ever-increasing global population in the context of climate change.

In four core themes, the FACCE-JPI Strategic Research Agenda outlines a path towards an agricultural sector that respects planetary boundaries, preserves and encourages biodiversity, reduces emissions and inputs, embraces new approaches such as agroecology, and at the same time provides a sufficient and healthy diet as well as fair economic return for the producers.

Over 10 years FACCE-JPI has financed over 150 projects and mobilised over 250 million euros. Want to learn more about the projects financed? Now we you use the interactive FACCE project wheel to learn more about the projects and go through their publications!

You can read more about FACCE-JPI at: https://www.faccejpi.net or watch the motion graphics explaining what we do in 18 languages! Follow us on Twitter, Linkedin and Youtube.

FACCE-JPI is supported by member contributions.

ERA-NET Cofund for Monitoring & Mitigation of Greenhouse gases from Agri- and Silvi-culture (FACCE ERA-GAS)

FACCE ERA-GAS is the ERA-NET Cofund for monitoring & mitigation of Greenhouse gases from agri- and silvi-culture. The aim of ERA-GAS is to strengthen the transnational coordination of research programmes and provide added value to research and innovation on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in the European Research Area. ERA-GAS is initiated by the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI).

About

Background

The agricultural sector in Europe faces significant challenges in curbing GHG emissions while maintaining food security and sustainability in a changing climate. EU policy proposals requiring a 40% reduction in emissions without a corresponding decrease in primary production pose significant challenges. As a result, incorporation of abatement strategies into tailored sustainable production systems and the implementation of these strategies on the ground are of the upmost importance. In addition, the inclusion of C sinks as an offsetting option, particularly in forestry and agricultural soils, means that verification of sinks and the impact of management on those sinks is vital.

Aim

The aim of this ERA-NET Cofund is to strengthen the transnational coordination of research programmes and provide added value to research and innovation on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in the European Research Area. ERA-GAS will cover aspects of monitoring and mitigation of agricultural GHGs, including such aspects as reducing uncertainties and improving national agricultural GHG inventories, the role of climatic variability and agricultural and forestry practices for GHG emissions, the technical and economic potential of CH4 and N2O mitigation, carbon sequestration and reduced emissions from energy use and pre-chain inputs, emissions/removals certification, economic and policy measures, including trade, barriers to implementation and life cycle assessment.

Consortium

The ERA-GAS consortium consists of 19 partners from 13 countries.