Willi Haas

Willi Haas is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Ecology within the Department for Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He has been affiliated with the Institute of Social Ecology since 1998, transitioning from Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt to BOKU in 2018. His academic qualifications include a habilitation in Social Ecology (2025), PhD in Social and Human Ecology (2015), and Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering (1991). Haas actively contributes to climate policy integration and socio-ecological research in Austria.

His educational background spans engineering and social ecology:

• Habilitation in Social Ecology (2025), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
• PhD in Social and Human Ecology (2015), Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt
• Dipl.-Ing. Mechanical Engineering / Industrial Engineering, Ergonomics and Business Economics (1991), Vienna University of Technology

Haas's research centers on Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Socioecological Transitions, examining labor dynamics, urban material stocks, and health co-benefits within circular economy frameworks. He specializes in linking biophysical resource accounting with social practice theory, particularly in Austrian urban contexts like Vienna's mobility systems. His work emphasizes transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability policy, bridging environmental science and socioeconomic analysis.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a dominant focus on circular economy-climate mitigation synergies, with 9 articles addressing sectoral decarbonization (buildings, transport, electricity) and resource scenarios in Austria. Health co-benefits appear in 5 articles, while socio-metabolic historical analysis features in 3 studies. His work consistently employs Stock-Flow-Service Nexus modeling, with rising attention to equity dimensions in sustainability transitions since 2023.

Scientific awards highlight his impact:

• Best Paper Award, Resources Conservation & Recycling (2020)
• Dagmar Krage Award for waste avoidance and circular economy (2021)
• Graedel Prize, Journal of Industrial Ecology Senior Author (2019)
• Sustainability Award 2020: 1st place for 'Zukunftskarawane' project
• Education for Sustainable Development Best of Austria (2019)
• Poster award for effective science communication (2011)

Haas has supervised theses as part of his academic role, though specific student names are not documented in the provided text. He leads significant projects like ACeDC (Austrian Circular Economy and Decarbonisation) and 'Zukunftskarawane', focusing on interdisciplinary regional development. His grant portfolio involves collaboration with Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA) and international partners on socio-metabolic monitoring frameworks.

As a core contributor to the Austrian Panel on Climate Change (APCC) and the Institute of Social Ecology research group, Haas works within BOKU's Sustainability Science Cluster. His team collaborations span environmental scientists, economists, and health experts, notably in the Vienna Mobility Stock-Flow analysis with Haberl and Krausmann. He actively engages stakeholders through CCCA networks and municipal climate adaptation initiatives.