Interview series – Discover the TULIP project

Interview series – Discover the TULIP project

Dr Marina Treskova, Eco-epidemiology Junior Group Leader, University of Heidelberg & Joacim Rocklöv, Director, University Heidelberg Planetary Health Hub,  TULIP Coordinators

Can you introduce the project and its progression over the past 18 months?
The TULIP Project fosters “Community-based Engagement and Interventions to Stem Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquatic Environments Catalysed by Climate Change and Plastic Pollution”. With €6 million this Horizon Europe transdisciplinary project addresses three interconnected global crises: antimicrobial resistance (AMR), plastic pollution, and climate change, all of which significantly impact planetary health.

TULIP enhances our understanding of the interactions between plastic pollution and AMR in aquatic environments through an integrative approach. It draws on environmental science, social science, molecular biology, and policy work, uniting them into a collaborative project to develop practical, scalable solutions. The goal is not only to produce new scientific knowledge but also to turn that knowledge into action. TULIP conducts research and outreach activities in the Philippines and Italy. In the Philippines, the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine of the Ministry of Health is a partner, enabling direct stakeholder involvement in the research. TULIP creates triple-win solutions that benefit humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Objectives and ambition
TULIP’s primary objective is to describe and quantify the interactions between climate drivers, plastic pollution, and AMR in aquatic ecosystems and assess their potential impacts on health and biodiversity. Its ambition goes beyond describing problems: it aims to provide concrete interventions and decision-support tools.

Our key objectives includes (1) establishing the interaction between plastic and AMR, under varying environmental and climate conditions, using both lab-based and field-based data, (2) the development of predictive models to map and forecast hotspots and trends, (3) the implementation of nature-based solutions and community-driven interventions, (4) the creation of integrated surveillance systems combining environmental, animal, and human health data, and (5) the translation of research into policy-relevant insights using knowledge translation frameworks.

By focusing on both micro- and macro-scales, TULIP ensures that results from local catchments (like those in the Philippines) can inform national and regional responses.

The TULIP project is in the early stages of implementation, having been in development for 18 months. We have created our implementation protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and fieldwork plans. Ethics approval has been granted for the environmental component, and the social component is currently under review. This progress has allowed us to begin field activities, with the first sampling campaign launched in November at the Italian study site. We have formed a modelling group that collaborates across work packages and institutions to develop various models, including machine learning, hydrological, statistical, and process-based models. Additionally, we conducted co-production workshops to ensure the integration of sciences in the implementation, as well as capacity-building activities between European and Filipino partners, including a hands-on training session hosted at the Stechlin laboratory. This supported methodological alignment and strengthened collaboration among project partners. TULIP also held a conference on interactions between plastics, AMR, and climate change in Heidelberg in May 2024.

What do you think the Cluster can bring to your project?
The TULIP project contributes to the Planetary Health Cluster by focusing on how climate change, plastic pollution, and antimicrobial resistance interact in aquatic environments. Our team brings expertise in developing models that help us better understand these complex connections. We also work on creating clear and practical indicators that can be used to monitor and measure risks, impacts, and progress in these areas. In addition, we are developing decision-support tools that can help policymakers and communities make informed choices, based on both science and local realities. Through these efforts, TULIP helps strengthen the Cluster’s capacity to translate research into actionable solutions. The Planetary Health Cluster not only enables us to enlarge our project visibility amongst stakeholders and the general public the internal exchange with the cluster members can contribute new scientific ideas and solutions.

How do you see the cluster’s work supporting EU policy actions?
The Planetary Health Cluster offers valuable input to EU policy by providing science-based knowledge that can directly inform current and future regulations. TULIP’s work contributes to several EU priorities, such as the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Water Framework Directive, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance. By developing indicators and tools that can be applied in real-world settings, the project helps ensure that policies are supported by up-to-date evidence. The collaboration within the Cluster also ensures that different projects work together, providing a more complete and coordinated knowledge base for EU decision-makers.

Learn more about TULIP: https://tulip-project.eu/

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