AR18 | IIASA

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Addressing uncertainty in water management

Reliable access to clean water is a key aspect addressed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A general decision-making framework developed at IIASA to support policy decisions on water resources management, for the first time explicitly takes into account the associated uncertainties.

Supporting sustainable agricultural strategies

Land is an essential element of agriculture, food production, and many other human activities. Tools developed by IIASA and its partners support policymakers in the development of national, regional, and global strategies for food production that ensures the long-term sustainability of land and water resources.

Understanding virtual water trade

It seems like an intuitive solution for water-scarce regions to alleviate water stress by simply importing products that require a lot of water to manufacture. IIASA researchers investigated why real trade patterns do not always support this theory.

Encouraging science-based policymaking in East Africa

A key goal of integrated water resources management is to balance supply and demand for all water users across different economic sectors while safeguarding the environment. IIASA research supports the incorporation of water science into policy, planning, and applied management issues.

Contributing to science based climate targets

IIASA researchers contributed significantly to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR1.5). Researchers from the institute also developed a new scenario explorer on behalf of the IPCC Working Group III and the scientific community.

The finance risks and opportunities of decarbonization

If financial markets become more long-term oriented, they could potentially become a catalyst for action on sustainability. In 2018, IIASA scientists collaborated with international banks and researchers from other institutions to assess the financial implications of deep decarbonization strategies.

Translating energy and climate research into policy

Part of the IIASA mission is to provide scientific guidance to policymakers. In 2018, IIASA scientists continued to engage in international and national policy processes by translating cutting-edge science into policy relevant insights for energy and climate policymakers and negotiators.

National energy modeling and capacity development

In 2018, IIASA researchers organized several capacity development activities. These comprised workshops on best practices in energy and integrated assessment modeling as well as hosting researchers from IIASA member countries to jointly develop and apply methods to address energy-related challenges.

Analyzing potential shocks to financial systems

Understanding the dynamics of an emerging economy like Mexico requires insight into the shocks that could impact its external financial account and particularly its stock market. IIASA researchers analyzed interactions between risk and financial interrelations to provide policy recommendations aimed at lessening or avoiding risk.

Improving descriptions of biodiversity dynamics

Eco-evolutionary models are becoming increasingly important for biodiversity management as they enhance the realism of how underlying processes are represented. IIASA researchers contributed towards improving descriptions of biodiversity dynamics by using newly available data and incorporating evolutionary processes into ecological models.

National Member Organizations

research partner institutions in member countries

peer-reviewed journal articles

citations of IIASA publications according to SCOPUS

Message from the Council Chair and the Director General:

In 2018, IIASA researchers continued to produce world-class research, affirming the institute’s value in terms of producing independent, science-based insights that contribute to the achievement of global societal objectives like those embedded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – especially for the world’s poor and marginalized.