Nicklas Riekötter

Background In this study, we introduce the application of ensemble averages, a concept rooted in statistical mechanics, to the analysis of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs). This novel approach is employed to investigate stakeholder perceptions of the organic and sustainable food chain across Europe and identify leverage points for its improvement. The FCMs were constructed through workshops held in seven countries participating in the European project Foodlevers, using diverse methodologies to ensure comprehensive and regionally relevant data collection. Methods By leveraging ensemble averages, we aggregate the outcomes of FCMs initialised with random conditions, ensuring robust and stable representations of the systems under study. This approach allows us to mitigate the variability inherent in individual initialisations and highlight the underlying structure and dynamics of the maps. Through this analysis, we identify the key variables and their roles within each country’s food system, providing insights into the factors perceived as most critical by stakeholders for promoting sustainability and organic practices. Results Our findings reveal both commonalities and country-specific differences in the perceived leverage points, reflecting the diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts within Europe. The ensemble averaging method proved particularly effective in achieving consistent rankings of variables, enabling a clearer comparison across the countries. This methodological advancement enhances the utility of FCMs in multi-country studies, offering a reliable tool for analysing complex systems and informing policy interventions. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the systemic dynamics of the European organic food chain and provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to strengthen sustainable practices. Conclusion Our study highlights the potential of integrating statistical mechanics techniques with cognitive mapping methodologies to address pressing challenges in food systems research and beyond.

This paper investigates sustainability transformations in the tripoint viticultural sectors of Luxembourg, Germany and France, employing the framework of Cross‐Border Regional Innovation Systems (CBRIS). Through qualitative data from semi‐structured interviews and extensive on‐site observations, the paper examines how viticulturists perceive and respond to climate change impacts and linked socio‐economic crises across national borders. The findings reveal diverse adaptation strategies, with German vintners showing a higher propensity for innovation and sustainable practices compared to their French and Luxembourgish counterparts. The study identifies key socio‐economic implications, including increased resilience and self‐reliance among climate‐friendly farmers and sheds a broader perspective on growth trajectories and cross‐border collaborations. Besides fostering knowledge exchange and regional sustainability, barriers such as financial constraints and knowledge gaps are also discussed. This research underscores the potential of analysing borders as dynamic entities under the CBRIS framework, adding to understanding of sustainability and resilience development in the regional economy and viticulture.

As Climate Change starts to show substantial impact on viticulture, winemakers are under pressure to implement sustainability transformation to maintain future production. This article deals with the effects of agroforestry system use on wine production and marketing in the German Mosel Region and reviews its challenges and benefits regarding sustainability transformation. The study is based upon qualitative interviews and field visits, researching farmers’ experiences with an agroforestry vineyard in the cool climate wine growing region and reviewing the production methods on-site. Applying Sustainability Levers Theory, the article shows that the use of agroforestry in viticulture targets deep leverage points of the food production system, enabling sustainability transformation by providing positive effects on production and marketing. The article thus concludes that there’s a potential of mitigating challenges of climate change, sustaining the wine production due to the implementation of agroforestry.