The research focus of IBF is the integrated modeling of natural resources and ecosystems management using IIASA models such as the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) for the development of transformations in food and bio-based sectors that enable satisfying human needs while ensuring the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine environments.
The IBF Group strives to bring about transformations in the use and management of terrestrial, fresh water, and marine ecosystems for “happy people on a healthy planet” by informing national and international policies, and by engaging with businesses and civil society. For this, the group relies on a suite of well-established models, including the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) and the Global Forest Model (G4M), as well as its reputation as a credible partner in concrete policy/regulatory processes.
The group’s key research areas include:
- Land, water, and oceans management focusing on primary producers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and their impact on the environment, including land-based climate change mitigation.
- Bio-based sectors integrating consumers and producers across food, fibre, and fuel supply chains.
- Shocks, adaptation, and resilience within bio-based sectors including weather extremes.
- Food, nutrition, and poverty, as the main social outcomes of land, water, and oceans use.
- Integrated biosphere foresight and solutions developing forward-looking scenarios for the assessment of potential synergies and trade-offs between relevant Sustainable Development Goals at regional and global scales, and exploring national and international options for their achievement to inform policymaking.
Projects
Staff
News
23 March 2026
CHOICE webinar showcases interactive tools bringing food-system models closer to stakeholders
12 January 2026
Trees4Adapt project to address risks from climate change and biodiversity loss through tree-based solutions
10 November 2025
Emissions could peak before 2030 – yet the world is still off track for 1.5°C
Events
Focus
Annual Report 2025: Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program Highlights
08 April 2026
Forest Talks webinar explores integrating Earth observation and national forest inventories across Europe
The most recent edition of the Forest Talks webinar series – jointly hosted by the ForestNavigator project (coordinated by IIASA) together with the ForestPaths and PathFinder projects – brought together researchers, modelers, and national reporting experts to discuss advances in Earth observation (EO) for forest monitoring and greenhouse gas inventory support across Europe.
Publications
van Dijk, M. , Kuiper, M., de Lange, T., Koopman, J.F.L., & van Zeist, W.-J. (2026). Simulation of subnational projections of poverty and income distribution to support climate risk assessments: A case-study for Ethiopia. Climate Services 43 e100668. 10.1016/j.cliser.2026.100668.
Stepanyan, D., Zamani, O. , Heidecke, C., Pelikan, J., Rieger, J., Osterburg, B., & Gocht, A. (2026). Fertilising Climate Policy: The Dual Impact of CBAM on EU Agricultural Emissions and Regional Disparities. Journal of Agricultural Economics 10.1111/1477-9552.70060. (In Press)
Grünig, M., Rammer, W., Baumann, M., Albrich, K., André, F., Derci Augustynczik, A.L., Bohn, F.J., Bouwman, M., Bugmann, H., Collalti, A., Cristal, I., Dalmonech, D., De Caceres, M., De Coligny, F., Dobor, L., Dollinger, C, Forrester, D.I., Garcia-Gonzalo, J., González-Olabarria, J.R., Hiltner, U., Hlásny, T., Honkaniemi, J., Huber, N., Huth, A., Jonard, M., Jönsson, A.M., Lagergren, F., Mina, M., Mohren, F., Moos, C., Morin, X., Muys, B., Nieberg, M., Peltoniemi, M., Reyer, C.P.O., Storms, I., Thom, D., Toïgo, M., & Seidl, R. (2026). Loss of competitive strength in European conifer species under climate change. Communications Earth & Environment 7 (1) e401. 10.1038/s43247-026-03582-0.
De Tomassi, C., Lassaletta, L., Martínez-Cano, V., Escobar Lanzuela, N. , Sanz, M.J., & Batalla, I. (2026). Dietary shifts for climate and Health: Socioeconomic perspectives from Spain. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption 21 e100424. 10.1016/j.clrc.2026.100424.
Gaget, E., Jung, M. , Lewis, M. , Hofhansl, F. , Graham, L., Warren-Thomas, E., & Visconti, P. (2026). Reviewing and benchmarking ecological modelling practices in the context of land use. Ecography 2026 (5) e07745. 10.1002/ecog.07745.
Jia, F.V., Deppermann, A., Balkovič, J. , Araujo Gutierrez, Z. , Gusti, M., Wögerer, M., Nakhavali, M.A. , Barthelmes, A., Palazzo, A. , Frank, S. , Krisztin, T. , Fuss, S., & Havlik, P. (2026). Restoring organic soils under agriculture: cost-effective portfolios in the context of European climate and biodiversity policies. Environmental Research Letters 21 (8) e084016. 10.1088/1748-9326/ae5fae.