We combine climate-ecological-economic modelling, game theory, and discrete choice analysis to inform policies for sustainable landscapes that support biodiversity, climate goals, and rural livelihoods – guided by public preferences and aiming for cost-effective solutions.

Information about the research group MOTION-CB can be found here.

News

We are hiring!

We have two fully-funded PhD positions open in the project MOTION-CB. 

The first position focuses on the economic analysis of climate change-related adaptations in land use using surveys (choice experiments), with an emphasis on synergies between agricultural production, biodiversity, and carbon storage. The goal is to identify policy instruments that benefit both farmers and ecosystems.

The second position focuses on the spatial modelling of ecosystems under climate change, with an emphasis on the impacts of land use measures on biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The goal is to quantify synergies and trade-offs between multiple objectives and to identify land use measures that benefit both biodiversity and the climate system.

The official position description with further details for your application will follow - feel free to contact us (charlotte.gerling@b-tu.de) if you're interested!

Further news

• Presentation: "Randomized Deferred Acceptance and Possibility Based Strategy Proofness" by Chris Stapenhurst at the Hungarian Center for Regional Studies, with József Pínter and Regina Stangl (29 May 2025)
• Presentation: “Accounting for risk preferences in Stated Preferences studies - the case of an uncertain species conservation programme” by Charlotte Gerling in Leipzig (ECO-N lecture series) (25.5.25)
• Presentation: "Red or Gold?" by Chris Stapenhurst at the University of Corvinus Game Theory seminar, with Andrew Clausen and John Moore (15 May 2025)
• Publication: Bethlendi A. and Stapenhurst C. (2025). Growth or stability? Using social risk preferences to guide industrial policy. Journal of Economic Policy Reform. Code.
• Publication: Cord, Anna F., Kevin Darras, Ryo Ogawa, Luc Barbaro, Charlotte Gerling, Maria Kernecker, Nonka Markova-Nenova, Gabriela Rodriguez-Barrera, Felix Zichner, and Frank Wätzold. (2025). Leveraging Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Result-Based Agri-Environmental Schemes: Opportunities, Challenges and next Steps. Biological Conservation 305:111042. ( Link)
• Publication: Beaumont, N., Börger, T., Clark, J., Hanley, N., Johnston, R., Meginnis, K., Stapenhurst, C. and de Vries, F. (2025) Cooperative agreement between countries of the North Atlantic Ocean reduces marine plastic pollution but with unequal economic benefits Communications Earth and Environment. Code.
• Working Paper: Gerling, C., Wätzold, F. 2024. Citizens Support Expansion of Ground-Mounted Photovoltaics for Climate Mitigation, But Local Benefits for Biodiversity and People Matter. (Link) 
• Publication: Gerling, C., Drechsler, M.,  Leins, J., Sturm, A., Wätzold, F. 2025. Cost-effective policy instruments for biodiversity conservation under climate change – The need for flexibility. Ecological Economics, 227:108414. Link
• Publication: C. Gerling, O. Schöttker, J. Hearne (2024): The ‘Climate Adaptation Problem’ in Biodiversity Conservation: The Value of Spatial Flexibility in Land Purchase. Environmental and Resource Economics (Link:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10640-024-00932-4)