28 October 2015

The case for systems analysis

Options Magazine Winter 2015: The integrated approach of systems analysis allows investigation at the nexus of global challenges, enabling synergies and trade-offs among potential solutions to be considered and implemented.

Source: Options Magazine

Source: Options Magazine

Applied systems analysis takes into account the interconnectedness of multiple development goals. It offers our best chance of overcoming the substantial barriers to sustainability, now and for future generations. Systems analysis is the cornerstone of research at IIASA, and numerous tools developed at the institute use its principles to address a diverse array of complex, global problems.

The IIASA GAINS model, for instance, helps policymakers develop emissions control strategies that simultaneously tackle air pollution and greenhouse gases. GAINS has been used to analyze policy for Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, the Gothenburg Protocol, and the EU Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution.

Options Magazine, Winter 2015


Another example is the IIASA GLOBIOM model, which analyzes competition for land use between agriculture, forestry, and bioenergy and can be used to explore the trade-offs and synergies between these land uses and ecosystem services. By capturing the relationships between agriculture, forestry, population dynamics, ecosystems, technology, and climate, this unique tool allows policymakers to understand and minimize land use and resource competition through more holistic thinking.

In November of this year IIASA will co-host “Systems Analysis 2015,” a major international conference to explore the current state and future directions of systems analysis.

Text by Daisy Brickhill


Print this page

Last edited: 03 December 2015

OPTIONS WINTER 2015

What is Systems Analysis

Related research

SA2015

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313