ECE’s overarching vision is to provide evidence-based, scientific roadmaps for feasible systems transformations that simultaneously meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ambitious climate change mitigation targets.

Emphasis is placed specifically on local policy decisions and actions required in the short term to put the world on track to achieve long-term targets while assuring human health, wellbeing, and the reduction of social inequalities in a socially and economically sustainable manner. The program’s systems analytical tools enable it to act as an objective scientific broker in support of sustainable transformational processes. ECE combines the research portfolios of the former Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases, Energy, and Transitions to New Technologies programs.

The ECE program is organized in five Research Groups which encompass different thematic areas of research:

ECE Research Groups

 ID 14056366 © Mikhail Dudarev | Dreamstime.com

Integrated Assessment and Climate Change (IACC)

The IACC Group leads the development of tools for a new generation of “coupled” global transformation pathways that are able to represent bottom-up local constraints and opportunities at the national and sub-national scale, which is a major focus of the ECE Program.

impacts

Integrated Climate Impacts (ICI)

The ICI group focuses on advancing the understanding of physical climate impacts and risks in a scenario context, and their societal and economic consequences.

Photo 202479727 / Climate © Yana Bardichevska | Dreamstime.com

Pollution Management (PM)

The PM Group focusses on solving immediate and near-term environmental (health and ecosystems impacts from pollution), climate (non-CO2 greenhouse gases), and social (widening inequality gaps) problems in a cost-effective way, providing support to policymaking at local and regional scales.

© Jon Anders Wiken | Dreamstime.com

Sustainable Service Systems (S3)

The S3 Group focuses on demand-side systems as entry points for sustainable transformations. The group analyses demand for energy and materials through the lens of service provision of mobility, shelter, and consumer goods, as well as how lifestyle changes can contribute to consumption reduction.

Photo 22027252 © Deniscristo | Dreamstime.com

Transformative Institutional and Social Solutions (TISS)

The TISS Group explores innovative solutions to environmental issues that integrate social, institutional, and governance drivers with technological and economic considerations, with an emphasis on improving conditions for the most deprived and marginalized in society.

Themes

Nutrient cycling

Non-CO2 greenhouse gas sources

ECE Nexus

Just and Feasible Transitions

Scenario Services and Scientific Software

Access to Energy Services

Heterogeneities and Inequalities

Finance

Modeling for National Transformations

Materials

Extreme Weather and Climate Dynamics

Models, tools, datasets

gas pipeline

Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact (MESSAGEix)

India Forest

The NExus Solutions Tool (NEST)

IPCC

AR6 Scenario Explorer and Database

Air Pollution in India

Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS)

Projects

RESCUE

Response of the Earth System to overshoot, Climate neUtrality and negative Emissions (RESCUE)

urban greenery

Energy Demand changes Induced by Technological and Social innovations (EDITS)

Staff

No image available

Mia Werning

Researcher (IACC, ICI)

Alessio Mastrucci profile picture

Alessio Mastrucci

Research Scholar (S3, TISS)

Paul Kishimoto profile picture

Paul Kishimoto

Research Scholar (IACC, S3)

Keywan Riahi profile picture

Keywan Riahi

Program Director and Principal Research Scholar (ECE); Principal Research Scholar (IACC, PM, S3, TISS); Principal Research Scholar (ICI)

News

Flood in Europe

23 September 2024

Mapping socioeconomic vulnerabilities across the EU to inform European climate risk assessment

In a new addition to the Atlas of Demography – an interactive tool by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) – IIASA researchers (as part of the SPARCCLE project) have released an in-depth analysis of regional variations in socioeconomic vulnerability across the EU, highlighting how demographic, health, and socioeconomic factors shape the capacity of populations to withstand climate extremes.
Green future concept showing different hands holding planet Earth

12 September 2024

Urgent action needed to ensure a safe and just planet for all

IIASA researchers contributed to a new study showing that to sustain even a basic standard of living for everyone, we need to dramatically change our economic systems and technologies. The research highlights the need to fairly manage, use, and share critical resources to ensure both people and the planet can thrive.
Nitrogen

16 August 2024

Nitrogen interventions as a key to better health and robust ecosystems

Food and energy production have caused substantial nitrogen pollution, harming air and water quality and posing risks to the climate and ecosystems. A new study shows how nitrogen interventions can reduce pollution, improving health, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Focus

Icons depicting environmental cooperation, collaboration for a sustainable environmental future superimposed on picture showing hands typing on a laptop

25 September 2024

How policymakers make informed decisions for climate action

Have you ever wondered how policymakers make informed decisions for climate action? "That’s an easy one," you might say. "With science of course!" But even for scientists, understanding the world's climate is complex, and forecasting potential future developments is even more so. IIASA 2024 Science Communication Intern, Moritz Boeswirth explored this topic.

CircEUlar Project at the Vienna Climate Summit

25 July 2024

Exploring circularity through science and art: CircEUlar project at the Vienna Climate Summit

The first Vienna Climate Biennale took place from April to July. CircEUlar was one of the scientific partners of the Biennale, contributing insights on the potential of circular economy strategies to combat climate change. Project coordinators Marina Jovanovic and Volker Krey reflect on the 100-day festival and the unique collaboration between science and art.

Publications