The provision of adequate energy services is a precondition for socioeconomic development and human wellbeing, both in developing and industrialized countries. At the same time, impacts of energy production, transport, processing and end use, most notably the emissions of atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases, damage health, environment and property and raise the risks of irreversible climate change.
Fundamental transformational changes are required in energy systems, and these need to be integrated with strategies for other adaptations to climate change and globalization. These changes need strong public and private support, and will require new governance models oriented toward clean delivery of energy services in a more sustainable world.
IIASA’s new 2011-2020 Strategic Plan has formalized cooperation among its research programs to develop new integrated approaches that use a holistic system’s perspective on how to initiate strategies for a fundamental transition toward a more sustainable use of natural and economic resources.
Research concentrates on the development of new methodologies and pioneers their application to understand salient linkages among different temporal, spatial, and institutional dimensions of transformational change. Specific focus is given to systems approaches for:
More information about current research in IIASA's Energy and Climate Change global problem area can be accessed by clicking the links below and on the right:
The strategic goal of the Transition to New Technologies (TNT) Program is to further the understanding of the patterns, drivers, constraints and impacts of technological change, particularly in the areas that are key for framing global sustainability conditions (such as climate change) and to disseminate policy-relevant research findings through high-level global forums and participation in major international scientific assessments. More
The Global Energy Assessment (GEA), launched in 2012, defines a new global energy policy agenda – one that transforms the way society thinks about, uses, and delivers energy. Involving specialists from a range of disciplines, industry groups, and policy areas, GEA research aims to facilitate equitable and sustainable energy services for all, in particular the two billion people who currently lack access to clean, modern energy. More
Models and Tools
innovative energy technologies
New Scenarios
International Assessments
Renewable Energy: Green Jobs
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
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Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313