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The objective of the WAT Group is to provide the scientific foundation needed for addressing the quest for water security across scales and to help bridge science-policy-practice gaps related to water management by leading global efforts on integrated assessment of water resources and exploring transformation pathways towards a water secure future.
Water plays a central role in all human activities and needs to be managed efficiently and sustainably. The WAT Group pushes the boundary of transdisciplinary water science enabled by the institute’s recognized expertise in systems science approaches, to provide the scientific knowledge needed to address the quest for water security. The group aims to lead global efforts on integrated assessment of water supply and demand and identify solutions options that improve water scarcity, ameliorate water quality, and enhance resilience to extreme events, while at the same time engaging with key stakeholders at different levels to translate science into policy.
The group’s research has informed the development of various widely used models, which will continually be refined and extended to enable application and analysis at policy-relevant spatial scales. The group contributes to several IIASA research themes including biodiversity and ecosystem services, production and consumption, technology and innovation, and governance and institutions, by providing the water resources research expertise required for the development of a systemic approach to resolving sustainability issues.
Models, tools, datasets
Community Water Model (CWatM)
Global Hydro-economic Model (ECHO)
Global Agro-Ecological Zones (GAEZ)
Water Quality Modeling (WQM)
Projects
Sustainable water quality management supporting Uganda’s development ambitions (SWAQ-Uganda)
Advancing WFaS East Africa: Scaling out resilient water and agricultural systems (scaleWAYS)
SOS Water- Establishing a Safe Operating Space (SOS) for the global water resources system (SOS Water)
The World Bank ECA Regional Water Security Initiative: Development of an Assessment and Preparation of Diagnostic Reports
Staff
Emilio Politti
Research Scholar (WAT)
Angela Ghilascu
Program and Project Officer (WAT)
Carla Catania
Researcher (WAT)
Samantha Knights
Program Assistant (WAT)
News
12 December 2024
Charting the course for water security in Europe and Central Asia
IIASA researchers contributed to a new World Bank report titled, A Blueprint for Resilience: Charting the Course for Water Security in Europe and Central Asia. This comprehensive publication provides a methodological framework, in-depth analysis, and actionable recommendations to strengthen water security in countries and regions, and build resilience in the face of climate change, rising water demands, and growing geopolitical tensions.
19 November 2024
IIASA researchers recognized on Clarivate’s 2024 Highly Cited Researchers™ List
The 2024 Highly Cited Researchers™ list by Clarivate celebrates individuals whose research has had a profound and wide-reaching impact. IIASA is proud to have its Director General, Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, as well as 10 additional exceptional researchers associated with the Institute recognized for their contributions in various fields.
22 July 2024
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) visits IIASA
On 22 July, 2024, a high-level delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), led by Professor Tran Tuan Anh, visited IIASA to meet with Director General John Schellnhuber and IIASA researchers to discuss ongoing research projects and opportunities.
Events
Virtual (via Zoom)
Water Resources Modeling Summer School: CWatM Level A1
Helsinki and Espoo, Finland
IIASA at Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress 2024
Focus
17 July 2024
Biodiversity lessons from nature
IIASA researchers Silvia Artuso and Juliette Martin reflect on a recent workshop presented at the Institute as part of the IIASA School Engagement Initiative, during which they introduced students to systems analysis and took them on an adventure to explore the amazing biodiversity of Laxenburg park.
27 June 2024
Supporting sustainable agriculture
The soil beneath our feet holds vital information for understanding agriculture, climate, and environmental sustainability. IIASA provides user friendly tools to support decision makers in developing national, regional, and global strategies for food security and the environment.
Publications
Seijger, C., Urfels, A., Christoforidou, M., Hellegers, P., Borghuis, G., Langan, S. , & van Halsema, G. (2025). More food, but less land and water for nature: Why agricultural productivity gains did not materialize. Agricultural Water Management 307 e109229. 10.1016/j.agwat.2024.109229. Myburgh, S., Kosatica, E., Pfister, S., Kissinger, M., Fridman, D. , & Koellner, T. (2024). An integrated biophysical-ecological assessment of embedded virtual water flows linked to Israel's consumption of agricultural crops. Science of the Total Environment 955 e177195. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177195. Willaarts, B. , Campo, P., Magnuszewski, P., Odume, N., Clifford-Holmes, J., Palmer, T., Murata, C., Barreteau, O., Bonte, N., Guillermit, J., Dione, B., Diouf, S., & Lo, H.M. (2024). SDG pathfinding methodological framework: Participatory Approach to Localise the Sustainable Development Agenda. Belmont Forum Project Report “SDG Pathfinding: Co-creating pathways to sustainable development in Africa”. IIASA , Laxenburg, Austria. Fischer, G., Reeler, J., Tramberend, S. , & van Velthuizen, H. (2024). Sustainable Aviation Biofuels for South America: A systems analysis investigation into opportunities for current and future sustainable biofuel feedstock product. IIASA Report. Laxenburg, Austria: IIASA Davies, T., Loghmani, T., & Fath, B. (2024). “Solutions” are not the answer. Frontiers in Sustainability 5 10.3389/frsus.2024.1509972.