IIASA 2013 News

IIASA's news center provides information on our research and related activities.

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19 December 2013
Investing in cleaner air in India increases people’s wellbeing

While the costs of protecting the environment are often seen as impediments to economic development, a new analysis of different measures to control air pollution in India reveals that the costs of even stringent controls are outweighed by their economic and social benefits.  More

18 December 2013
ERC grant supports international project on fertilizer and environment

Researchers from Austria, Spain, Belgium, and France will explore the worsening environmental problems related to nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon under a new grant from the European Research Council.  More

17 December 2013
New studies map future climate impacts across sectors

A pioneering collaboration within the international scientific community provides comprehensive projections of climate change effects, ranging from risks to crop yields to the spread of malaria.  More

16 December 2013
Global study details the contribution of livestock to land use and greenhouse gas emissions

Minor improvements in feed quality in developing countries could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock products, according to a new study from researchers in Europe, Africa, and Australia.  More

12 December 2013
Reconceptualizing the study of population aging

Age is not just the number of years one has lived, argue IIASA population researchers. A new study from the group provides a set of tools for measuring age in all its dimensions.  More

11 December 2013
Carbon capture technology could be vital for climate targets

The future availability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be pivotal in reaching ambitious climate targets, according to a new comprehensive study of future energy technologies from IIASA, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change, the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum, and researchers worldwide.  More

04 December 2013
Education—not fertility—key for economic development

A new study published in the journal Demography shows that improvements in education levels around the world have been key drivers of economic growth in developing countries that has previously been attributed to declines in fertility rates.  More

03 December 2013
Continuing with pledge pathways to 2030 could push climate goals out of reach

Current pledges for greenhouse gas emission reductions are inadequate and will further increase the challenge to reach internationally agreed climate targets, according to new research from a global consortium of 13 international research teams coordinated by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research (PIK).  More

26 November 2013
Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program opens in Bloemfontein

The Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA-YSSP), co-organized by IIASA, opened yesterday at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa.  More

20 November 2013
Land-use models can make effective REDD policies a reality

Efforts to cut emissions by reducing deforestation and land use change require solid support from integrated land-use models, said participants at the Global Landscapes Forum last weekend in Warsaw.  More

15 November 2013
Cropland Capture game brings citizen science to global food research

IIASA’s GeoWiki project today released a new game, Cropland Capture, which turns global land cover research into an addictive game for computer, tablet, and smartphone users.  More

07 November 2013
Crime associated with higher mortality rates

People with criminal records die younger than those without, shows a comprehensive national study for Norway conducted by researchers at IIASA and Statistics Norway.  More

05 November 2013
UNEP report emphasizes action on climate

Immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is key to limit the risk that global temperature rise will exceed 2° C, according to the 2013 Emissions Gap report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), to which IIASA researchers contributed data and research.  More

04 November 2013
World Bank Report: Cutting pollution could slow Arctic warming

IIASA researchers contributed to a new joint report from the World Bank and the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative, which lays out measures for reducing pollution that could help slow warming in the Arctic, while also improving health worldwide.  More

28 October 2013
Building a framework for sustainability science

A meeting last week in Santa Fe brought together a diverse group of scientists and modelers to discuss both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainability research, and how to move between the two.  More

10 October 2013
The future of water research

IIASA’s Chief Executive Officer and Director Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, outlined the need for new science, new visions, and new partnerships to tackle global water challenges at the Budapest Water Summit.  More

09 October 2013
Setting Post-2015 Development Goals

IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat has been appointed to the Leadership Council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).  More

05 October 2013
IIASA intensifies collaboration with Russian Federation

The newly elected President of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Academician Vladimir Fortov, and an Advisor to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Academician Sergey Glaziev, met with IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat in Moscow to discuss enhanced collaborations with IIASA.  More

03 October 2013
Wealth inequality can promote cooperation

Unequal access to resources can promote cooperation, shows a new study based on evolutionary game theory.  More

01 October 2013
YSSP participant wins IPCC fellowship

2012 YSSP participant Pheakkdey Nguon has won a fellowship from the IPCC to fund his research on REDD+ in Cambodia. He accepted the award yesterday from Prince Albert II of Monaco.  More

30 September 2013
2013 IIASA postdocs selected

IIASA is pleased to announce our newest postdoctoral fellows.  More

27 September 2013
IIASA research provides answers on climate change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change today released the first portion of its 5th Assessment Report. IIASA research focuses on what to do about this major global problem.  More

24 September 2013
Horizons for Social Sciences and Humanities

Recent interdisciplinary research from IIASA was presented at a Lithuanian EU Presidency’s Conference. The event, Horizons for Social Sciences and Humanities, concluded with a call for better integration and implementation of social sciences and humanities into science and research policies.  More

23 September 2013
Before the storm

September, 2013: When disaster hits, the way people respond is a matter of life and death—and that response depends strongly on how prepared people are. New IIASA research highlights the role of education in surviving hurricanes.  More

18 September 2013
Vietnam joins IIASA

Vietnam will join IIASA on 1 November 2013, bringing membership in the Institute to 21 National Member Organizations.  More

17 September 2013
Environmental complexity promotes biodiversity

A new study published in the journal American Naturalist helps explain how spatial variation in natural environments helps spur evolution and give rise to biodiversity.  More

16 September 2013
Earth League scientists issue stark statement on climate

Researchers say that we are on track to see climate warming of 4 degrees over pre-industrial times, if action is not taken soon.  More

10 September 2013
Gas flaring and household stoves speed Arctic thaw

Gas flaring by the oil industry and smoke from residential burning contributes more black carbon pollution to Arctic than previously thought—potentially speeding the melting of Arctic sea ice and contributing to the fast rate of warming in the region.  More

02 September 2013
IIASA updates comprehensive energy and emission database

IIASA’s newly updated Energy and Carbon Emissions Inventory Database (ECDB) brings a comprehensive view of the world’s carbon emissions and energy use.  More

02 September 2013
New Ideas for a Fair globalization

High level speakers discussed the role of politics in globalization at the European Forum Alpbach, and added their support to a new global think tank launched by the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the European Forum Alpbach.  More

31 August 2013
New Global Think Tank launched

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the European Forum Alpbach have today launched a new Global Think Tank to address the issues caused by the ongoing global transformation and aid in the creation of sustainable development paths.  More

30 August 2013
Young scientists complete summer program

IIASA bids farewell to 2013 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) participants, who completed their three-month research program yesterday.  More

28 August 2013
Water and the Future of Humanity

A new book released this week, Water and the Future of Humanity, provides a much-needed comprehensive view on how people access and use water, food, energy, and other goods and services, and what changes are needed in this complex system.  More

26 August 2013
Alpbach session addresses stagnation of green growth

IIASA experts participated in panels at the European Forum Alpbach today focusing on the complex issues around green growth and global development.  More

21 August 2013
How personality affects fertility

A new study from IIASA population researchers finds a link between men’s and women’s personalities and the likelihood that they will have children.  More

14 August 2013
Do weather extremes accelerate climate change?

A new overview study published in Nature investigates the impacts of meteorological extreme events on the carbon cycles of land ecosystems: a self-reinforcing effect in the wake of climate change cannot be ruled out.  More

05 August 2013
Cars and planes dominate the climate impact from travel

The wealthiest top 10% of the German population is responsible for almost 20% of the total climate impact of travel, finds a new study by researchers from CICERO and IIASA . Yet two-thirds of climate impact comes from the broad middle classes.  More

31 July 2013
Citizen scientists rival experts in analyzing land-cover data

Data gathered and analyzed by non-experts can rival the quality of data from experts, shows a new IIASA study of crowdsourced data from its Geo-Wiki project.  More

29 July 2013
Apply now for the Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program

The Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA-YSSP) invites applications from advanced PhD students from southern Africa and all of IIASA’s NMO countries. Deadline has been extended to 16 September.  More

23 July 2013
New Flood Resilience project in cooperation with Zurich and Wharton

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Zurich Insurance Group have established a collaboration alliance to launch a new project on Community flood resilience.  More

18 July 2013
PNAS: Evolutionary changes could aid fisheries

Sustainable fishing practices could lead to larger fishing yields in the long run, according to a new study that models in detail how ecology and evolution affect the economics of fishing.  More

16 July 2013
New study addresses trade-offs between food security and climate change mitigation

Improving agricultural productivity could help cut greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, shows new IIASA research. But sustainable farming methods are key.  More

15 July 2013
IIASA establishes new cooperation with WIIW

IIASA and the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW) have formed a new partnership for research and education.  More

09 July 2013
Russian Petroleum leaders visit IIASA

On 9 July, a delegation of leaders from the Russian oil and gas industry visited IIASA to learn about the Institute’s research and discuss potential cooperation.  More

08 July 2013
European consumption impacts world forests

Agricultural products imported to Europe accounted for more than one-third of global deforestation associated with international agricultural trade, according to a new report prepared by a European consortium including IIASA, and published by the European Commission.  More

08 July 2013
Bioenergy and biofuels don’t have to lead to deforestation

A new IIASA study provides plausible scenarios for simultaneous increasing bioenergy and biofuel production while preserving forests and biodiversity.  More

02 July 2013
PNAS: Identifying climate impact hotspots

One out of ten people on Earth is likely to live in a climate impact hotspot by the end of this century, if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, according to a new study by researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research (PIK), IIASA, and others.  More

01 July 2013
Population changes provide opportunities for development

Current population changes in much of the developed world present an opportunity, not a threat, according to a new report produced by IIASA, which underlies discussions this week at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Beyond 2014 conference.  More

28 June 2013
IIASA welcomes Li Yong as UNIDO Director General

Li Yong, former Vice Minister of Finance for China, was confirmed today as the next Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).  More

25 June 2013
Challenges and opportunities of Eurasian economic integration

The new Eurasian Economic Integration Project will assess the prospects of economic interactions of regional alliances on the Eurasian space.  More

24 June 2013
Assessing the future of water

June 2013: Options Magazine, Summer 2013.Water Futures and Solutions: World Water Scenarios, a new initiative coordinated by IIASA, aims to provide a scientific basis for responding to worldwide water challenges.  More

19 June 2013
IIASA ranks as one of the most influential think tanks in Europe

The International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG) has published the results of the first ranking of the most influential institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy. IIASA has been placed second in the European Category as part of the 2012 Climate Think Tank Ranking.  More

17 June 2013
Wolf Häfele

Many IIASA colleagues will be saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Dr. Wolf Häfele on 5 June 2013, aged 86 years, in Essen, Germany.  More

17 June 2013
The nitrogen quandary

June, 2013: Nitrogen is essential for life on our planet. But using too much of this element leads to air pollution, contaminates drinking water, damages ecosystems, and contributes to global warming—and the problem is getting worse.  More

17 June 2013
Study identifies travel choices for a smaller carbon footprint

Planes, trains, or automobiles: what’s the most climate-friendly way to travel? A new study by researchers from IIASA and CICERO brings better estimates of how much personal travel impacts the climate.  More

11 June 2013
IIASA and BOKU establish new cooperation

IIASA and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) have formed a new partnership for research and education.  More

10 June 2013
PNAS: To cut CO2, account for outsourcing

In order to reach targets for CO2 emissions, China should count CO2 emissions where products are consumed, not simply where they are produced, say IIASA researchers.  More

07 June 2013
IIASA and Laxenburg come together for climate awareness

On 6 June, 2013, the community of Laxenburg, Austria and IIASA hosted an event to share information about Austria’s impact on climate and what people can do in their daily lives to help reduce carbon emissions.  More

05 June 2013
Energy policies to tackle poverty

A new guide released this week provides specific policy suggestions to improve energy access to chronically poor people—people who live in poverty over many years, often their entire lives.  More

03 June 2013
IIASA welcomes young scientists

IIASA researchers and staff welcomed 51 young scientists from 20 countries to the 2013 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP), which began today.  More

28 May 2013
Energy must be fully integrated into the post-2015 development agenda, say Vienna Energy Forum participants

A global transition towards sustainable energy systems is imperative, and the window of opportunity is now, said participants at the Vienna Energy Forum that opened in the Austrian capital today.  More

27 May 2013
Climate impacts conference looks at the big picture

Researchers come together to discuss the global impacts of climate change this week at a conference co-organized by IIASA and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.  More

21 May 2013
Economic losses from disasters costlier than thought

IIASA researchers contributed to a new UN report quantifying the economic losses of natural disasters around the world.  More

20 May 2013
The future of the Arctic

IIASA researchers and Finnish policymakers and scientists met on 16 and 17 May, 2013 to outline a new research agenda addressing the challenges facing the Arctic region.  More

13 May 2013
IIASA experts on German science advisory council

IIASA Council Chair Peter Lemke has been appointed, and Deputy Director Nebojsa Nakicenovic has been re-appointed to the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), an independent scientific advisory board to the German government.  More

08 May 2013
Ukraine visit highlights systems science

A recent visit to Kiev, Ukraine by IIASA Director/CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat highlighted the importance of systems science for policymakers.  More

07 May 2013
IIASA researcher leads NASA SpaceApps challenge

From 20-21 April, IIASA researchers co-led a challenge at the NASA SpaceApps hackathon to produce a simple, inexpensive soil testing kit to help farmers and researchers around the world.  More

06 May 2013
European Forum Alpbach and IIASA enter strategic partnership

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the European Forum Alpbach have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at fostering sustainable solutions to global problems.  More

03 May 2013
Researchers estimate a cost for universal access to energy

Universal access to modern energy could be achieved with an investment of between 65 and 86 billion dollars a year up until 2030, according to new IIASA research.  More

01 May 2013
Pavel Kabat receives high accolade from Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

IIASA Director and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat has been awarded one of the highest distinctions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for his longstanding contribution to science and the science policy interface, both in the Netherlands and internationally.  More

29 April 2013
Plants moderate climate warming

As temperatures warm, plants release gases that help form clouds and cool the atmosphere, according to research from IIASA and the University of Helsinki.  More

25 April 2013
Mexican IIASA membership negotiations advance

On 10-12 April, IIASA Director and CEO, Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, Deputy Director Nebojsa Nakicenovic and special advisor Mr. Chin Min Lee visited Mexico to discuss potential collaboration opportunities including membership opportunities and re-launching of a postdoctoral fellowship.  More

25 April 2013
Vienna in 2050

In 2050, the Viennese will likely live longer and work longer, according to new findings from the Austrian Future.Monitor project, a population-based effort to project the future development of Austria and Vienna.  More

17 April 2013
China broadens collaboration with IIASA

On 8 April, IIASA Director and CEO, Professor Dr Pavel Kabat, and his special advisor Mr Chin Min Lee travelled to China to have high level meetings to discuss future collaborations with IIASA.  More

17 April 2013
Negative emissions and the carbon cycle

Can humanity switch from emitting massive amounts of climate-warming gases, to instead removing them from the atmosphere? International researchers discussed the potentials and challenges for negative emissions this week at a meeting co-organized by IIASA and the Global Carbon Project.  More

08 April 2013
IIASA research at the European Geophysical Union

From 7 to 12 April, IIASA researchers will present new findings at the European Geophysical Union (EGU) General Assembly meeting.  More

04 April 2013
UN Human Development Report relies on IIASA projections

IIASA population and education projections underlie the United Nations Human Development Report 2013, which shows development gains in the Southern Hemisphere during the last several years.  More

03 April 2013
Keeping soil sustainable

Small amounts of fertilizer can drastically improve crop yields, potentially feeding millions more people in South America and Africa, according to new IIASA research  More

26 March 2013
IIASA advises on post-2015 development goals

From 25-27 March, IIASA researchers joined other academic experts in Bali to advise a high-level panel of international policymakers on the post-2015 development agenda.  More

22 March 2013
World Water Day 2013

22 March 2013 marks World Water Day, and 2013 is the International Year of Water Cooperation. Events and celebrations are taking place across the world.  More

21 March 2013
Global Water at a Crossroads

In honor of World Water Day 2013, IIASA, the NAS, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Office of Science & Technology at the Austrian Embassy presented a public forum "Global Water at a Crossroads" with Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, Director and CEO, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria.  More

18 March 2013
Wolfgang Lutz elected to Leopoldina

IIASA World Population Program Leader Wolfgang Lutz has been elected to the Leopoldina- German National Academy of Sciences.  More

15 March 2013
Young scientists selected for IIASA summer program

IIASA’s Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) has selected their 2013 class. Successful participants will be notified today of their selection to the program, which brings elite PhD students to IIASA for a summer of independent research.  More

14 March 2013
IIASA and CSIRO formalize cooperation

IIASA and the Australian national science organization, CSIRO, have established new areas for research collaboration in the fields of energy, water, and biodiversity and environmental research.  More

14 March 2013
Math for Planet Earth

IIASA is a partner in Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013, an initiative of mathematical sciences organizations around the world designed to showcase the ways in which the mathematical sciences can be useful in tackling our world’s problems.  More

14 March 2013
Connecting Africa to a global data network

March, 2013: A new initiative brings smartphones to African farmers, involving them in data collection for global land-use models and at the same time connecting them to weather and agricultural data that can help improve crop yields.  More

01 March 2013
WBGU comic book on the great transformation

A report by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) has been adapted as a comic for the first time. IIASA Deputy Director Nebojsa Nakicenovic serves on the WBGU and appears in the comic book.  More

28 February 2013
IIASA consultations with US Governmental Agencies

On 19 – 21 February, IIASA Director and CEO, Professor Dr. Pavel Kabattravelledto Washington DC, to hold discussions with US and international stakeholders andhighlightIIASA's new flagship project on World Water Futures.  More

26 February 2013
Singapore: Population under pressure

February, 2013: A trip to Singapore by IIASA Population Program Leader Wolfgang Lutz has stirred up debate and discussion in the tiny island country, which faces rising immigration and falling fertility rates.  More

25 February 2013
UN sustainable energy initiative could help limit climate change

The UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, if successful, could make a significant contribution to the efforts to limit climate change to target levels, according to a new analysis from IIASA and ETH Zurich.  More

18 February 2013
Smarter use of nutrients will help clean up the planet, say scientists

IIASA researchers contributed to a new report that highlights the problems of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and proposes global solutions to help balance food production with pollution from fertilizers.  More

13 February 2013
IIASA population researchers in Singapore

This February, IIASA World Population Program Leader Wolfgang Lutz takes his research to Singapore—sharing new insights on population issues in Singapore, Asia, and the world.  More

13 February 2013
IIASA discusses collaboration with OPEC

On 13 February, IIASA Director and CEO Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat and his special advisor Mr Chin-Min Lee met with Abdalla S. El-Badri, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), at OPEC’s headquarters in Vienna.  More

11 February 2013
EU Member Countries’ Ambassadors visit IIASA

European Union Heads of Mission accredited to the United Nations and Ambassador Mara Marinaki, Managing Director, Global and Multilateral Issues Department, European External Action Service, visited IIASA today to discuss European and international policies and to learn about IIASA’s policy-relevant research in climate, energy, food, water, and the environment.  More

06 February 2013
Education: Preparation for the unexpected

February, 2013: Education is the single most important socioeconomic factor affecting people’s vulnerability to natural disasters, both regionally and globally, according to new IIASA research.  More

04 February 2013
World Water Scenarios Initiative launches at IIASA

Today, senior representatives from government and non-government organizations, business and academia gathered at IIASA in Laxenburg, Austria to discuss the launch of a new initiative to assess the current and future states of water resources around the world and the options that we have for managing water-related challenges.  More

01 February 2013
IIASA progresses negotiations about membership with Vietnam and Italy

Representatives from Vietnam and Italy have been involved in recent discussions on collaborating further with IIASA.  More

30 January 2013
World Water Scenarios Initiative Launched

On 4-5 February, a launch meeting for the Water Futures: World Water Scenarios Initiative will take place at IIASA in Laxenburg, Austria. The Launch Report is now available.  More

29 January 2013
Nakicenovic speaks at Vienna R20 Conference

On 1 February IIASA Deputy Director Nebojsa Nakicenovic will speak at the Vienna R20 Conference about decarbonization strategies for sustainable energy systems.  More

28 January 2013
Seeing the ocean for the fish

January, 2013: A new study from IIASA researchers and international collaborators provides an innovative tool for fisheries managers and researchers trying to sustainably manage commercial fish stocks.  More

16 January 2013
Updated estimate shows less land for biofuel

Less land may be available for growing biofuels than previously thought, according to a new study of land availability published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. Citizen scientists were major contributors to the report.  More

15 January 2013
Young scientist awards sponsor further research

Three participants from the 2012 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) have been selected for this year’s Mikhalevich and Peccei awards. The winning research projects provide new insights into greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires and biofuel chemistry.  More

15 January 2013
Black carbon larger cause of climate change than previously assessed

Black carbon is the second largest man-made contributor to global warming and its influence on climate has been greatly underestimated, according to the first quantitative and comprehensive analysis of this issue.  More

14 January 2013
Major air pollutant on the decline

Human emissions of sulfur dioxide have declined globally since 2006, according to new IIASA research evaluating developments in the last decade.  More

08 January 2013
PNAS: Shareholder responsibility could spur shift to sustainable energy

Allowing shareholders to be held liable for the damages that companies cause to the environment and people could help transform the world’s energy system towards sustainability, according to new research published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).  More

03 January 2013
Nature: Political action the biggest swing factor in meeting climate targets

The most important factor affecting the likelihood of limiting climate change to internationally agreed targets is when people start to do something about it, according new research from IIASA, ETH Zurich, and other institutions.  More



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Last edited: 14 March 2016

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International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
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