News | IIASA

23 February 2026

Roadmap for Europe’s biodiversity monitoring system

IIASA contributed to a new European roadmap for biodiversity monitoring through its involvement in the Horizon 2020 project, EuropaBON. The study, proposes a comprehensive roadmap to build a modern, integrated Biodiversity Observation Network (BON) for Europe that could become a global model for biodiversity monitoring in the 21^st century.

Firefighters spray water to wildfire in forest.

18 February 2026

Escalating climate risks demand coordinated action

As Europe faces increasingly severe climate impacts, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is calling on the EU to urgently strengthen its policy framework for effective and coherent adaptation. A new report, with contributions from IIASA researchers, highlights that adaptation and mitigation must advance together to safeguard Europe’s future.

Panta de Sau& x27;s abandoned dock at the Sau reservoir is a consequence of the most severe drought Catalonia has ever seen. AI generated

12 February 2026

Drought Survey in Catalonia Reveals Public Skepticism but Strong Willingness to Engage

How do people respond when the impacts of climate change hit close to home? A new study by IIASA and CMCC from the EU-funded project Adaptation AGORA (A Gathering place to cO-design and co-cReate Adaptation) reveals a striking paradox: while citizens in Catalonia show deep skepticism toward climate adaptation policies, they also demonstrate a “strong willingness to take action themselves”.

People collaborate assembling green world map puzzle on grass.

12 February 2026

Rebuilding trust in global climate mitigation scenarios

A new IIASA-led study examines growing critiques of how global climate mitigation scenarios address equity and justice and identifies key conditions for fair, feasible, and politically credible climate action.

Greenland ice sheet and its edges, melt ponds, snowy mountain peaks cast long shadows in the evening sunlight. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

11 February 2026

Course correction needed quickly to avoid pathway to ‘hothouse Earth’ scenario

Multiple Earth system components appear closer to destabilization than previously believed, putting the planet at increased risk of a “hothouse” trajectory driven by feedback loops that can amplify the consequences of global warming, according to new research.

Crops in Tajikistan. Agriculture in Pamir mountains in Tajikistan

10 February 2026

IIASA–UNCCD Workshop Explores Carbon Farming Opportunities and Constraints in Greater Central Asia

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) convened the virtual workshop “Prospects of Carbon Farming in Greater Central Asia” to examine pathways for implementing carbon farming across the region. The event brought together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange evidence, share experience, and discuss pragmatic approaches to advancing carbon farming and related land-based climate solutions.

Group of farmers walking in corn field examining crops at sunset.

10 February 2026

From practice to policy: why farmer collaboration matters for biodiversity

A new study sheds light on how farmer-led collaboration can help create the conditions to address biodiversity loss in agricultural landscapes. The research looks at “farmer clusters” – groups of farmers working together across landscapes to support biodiversity-sensitive farming – and explores how these collaborative initiatives evolve over time, what shapes their success, and why some mature more effectively than others.

Climate change ecology green energy environment nature news titles

06 February 2026

IIASA researchers among the authors of the climate papers most featured in the media in 2025

Climate change research continued to feature prominently in news and social media feeds throughout 2025. IIASA researchers contributed to seven out of the 25 most mentioned papers in news and social media feeds; one is even the most featured paper ranking at #1 - congratulations to all the authors!

Concept of eco with city, clean energy and nature. paper art style.

04 February 2026

An integrated, society-centered approach to reducing pollution in European cities

End of January saw the launch of the new EU-funded ATMOPOLIS project, an innovative study that integrates environmental and social sciences to understand how air and noise pollution exposure affect citizens across European cities and propose actions to help improve their quality of life. IIASA researchers are leading a work package to develop an integrated decision support tool for cities.