Nicolas Roux

Dr. Nicolas Roux is a Researcher at the Institute of Social Ecology, Department for Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on the intersection of environmental economics, sustainable agriculture, and climate change policy. Roux is actively involved in multiple significant research projects including the 2nd Austrian Assessment Report on Climate Change (AAR2), where he serves as Chapter Scientist, and several EU-funded initiatives examining land use, trade, and sustainability metrics.

Education

• Master in Environmental Sciences (M.S.), University of Tokyo (2015-2018), specializing in Agricultural and Environmental Economics, Microeconomics, and Econometrics
• Double Bachelor in Natural Sciences (B.S.) and Economics (B.S.), University of Paris 6 UPMC & Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas (2011-2014)

Roux's research examines the complex relationships between international trade, land use, and environmental sustainability. His work frequently applies biophysical accounting methods like Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production (HANPP) to trace environmental pressures through global supply chains. He investigates how agricultural trade affects ecosystem integrity, how sufficiency approaches could transform EU trade policy, and the carbon implications of wood use systems in Austria. His interdisciplinary approach combines ecological economics with social theory, particularly evident in his work applying Polanyian theory to agricultural system transformation.

Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent focus on developing and applying innovative metrics for sustainability assessment, particularly concerning the environmental impacts of international trade. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of global supply chains, with increasing attention to policy implications for the European Union. Recent publications emphasize the need for systemic transformation of agricultural and trade systems to address biodiversity loss and climate change.

Scientific Awards

• Best student paper award of the European Society of Ecological Economics (ESEE) - 2022
• BOKU Sustainability award nomination (research category) - 2020
• High memorial prize from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo for his Master's Thesis on environmental effort and agricultural trade - 2018

Roux actively contributes to the scientific community through project leadership and collaboration. He serves as a reviewer for prestigious journals including Nature Geoscience, Regional Environmental Change, and Environmental Research Letters. Since 2023, he has been a board member and working group coordinator for Scientists for Future Austria, demonstrating his commitment to science activism and policy engagement. His involvement in numerous international conferences and workshops reflects his growing influence in sustainability science.

Roux's research is embedded within several collaborative frameworks, including the Centre for Global Change and Sustainability at BOKU. His work on the COUPLED project and the AAR2 demonstrates his integration into national and international research networks focused on sustainability transformations. His recent presentations at major conferences like the International Degrowth Conference and the European Geosciences Union Assembly highlight his active participation in interdisciplinary scientific discourse.