Options Magazine, Winter 2023: Zuelclady Araujo Gutierrez’s research supports governments to have better data and tools for their longterm climate change mitigation planning, tailored to the realities of their countries.
© IIASA
Climate change is a global challenge, but Araujo Gutierrez has always been interested in how it manifests differently, depending on the region, the country, or local community, as these require having a global vision while considering specific strategies.
She joined IIASA in 2022 after working as a consultant for various multilateral organizations and governments in Latin America and in her home country, Mexico. Along the way, she realized that there would never be a one-size-fitsall solution. So, she started asking, “How does one translate scientific information in a way that is relevant, relatable, and useful in different contexts for various stakeholders?” At IIASA, she explores how governments can use the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) to analyze landuse demand and implement national policies that will achieve net-zero emission targets by 2050. Her analyses aim to create specialized, tailored approaches that can be used to inform decision-making processes.
“It is vital to be sensitive and flexible when working at the science-policy interface,” she says. “Even if the science is clear, stakeholders have different points of view, resources, needs, and priority areas that ultimately influence their decisions. By listening and addressing local needs and incorporating those into our modeling, we stand a better chance of seeing good policy put into action.”
Araujo Gutierrez hopes to create sustainable support systems for governments to use GLOBIOM to inform national climate policies, especially within Latin America.
By Stephanie Okeyo