nova-Experts introduced: Nicolas Hark
M.Sc. Nicolas Hark is a Senior Specialist in the Economics & Policy Department of the nova-Institute. His work focuses on monitoring, analysing and providing strategic advise on current and future regulatory frameworks affecting the replacement of fossil carbon with renewable carbon sources. He speaks on these policy analyses at several conferences and webinars each year and is featured in numerous market reports and academic papers. In addition to policy and regulation, he also focuses on macroeconomic monitoring bioeconomy, circular economy and CO2-based economy.
Nicolas is currently involved in several national and international research projects (e.g., 3-CO, STAR4BBS) focusing on certification in the bioeconomy as well as in consulting for industrial clients. He is co-author of several nova market reports such as “Carbon Dioxide (CO?) as Feedstock for Chemicals, Advanced Fuels, Polymers, Proteins and Minerals” and the recently published “Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers – Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2023–2028”, which is updated annually. Together with the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and colleagues from nova, he publishes a regularly updated report on market data of the European bioeconomy (European Bioeconomy in Figures 2008–2019).
Background and expertiseNicolas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from the Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelm University in Bonn and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the Humboldt University in Berlin. He is a TÜV-certified sustainability manager with in-depth knowledge of the European Union’s sustainability reporting requirements and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Other areas of expertise include the relevant ISO standards and corresponding certification schemes, as well as the establishment of sustainability management systems in companies.