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.

Economic Frontiers © Jon Anders Wiken | Dreamstime.com

The S3 Group have two overarching research objectives. First, to understand the evolution of behaviors and lifestyles around energy services and assess their environmental impacts; and second, to identify and understand policy interventions that can change behaviors and lifestyles to minimize environmental impacts. The group’s research binds together work on three domains that are critical for a transformation toward sustainable societies, namely buildings, mobility, and consumer goods, which are connected through changes in infrastructures and lifestyles. S3 aims to establish and lead a research community on demand-side transitions and to innovate conceptual frameworks for demand-side model comparisons.

Themes

Scenario Services and Scientific Software

Access to Energy Services

Finance

Models, tools, datasets

gas pipeline

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

Photo 134399877 © Designer491 | Dreamstime.com

ENGAGE Scenario Explorer

Photo 258300272 © Paradee Paradee | Dreamstime.com

NGFS-IIASA Scenario Explorer

IPCC

AR6 Scenario Explorer and Database

Projects

Beige and colored pawns grouped together

Exploring National and Global Actions to reduce Greenhouse gas Emissions (ENGAGE)

Grossglockner Austria

Next generation of AdVanced InteGrated Assessment modelling to support climaTE policy making (NAVIGATE)

urban greenery

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

Sustainable development goals

Sustainable development pathways achieving Human well-being while safeguarding the climate And Planet Earth (SHAPE)

Staff

Fabio Sferra profile picture

Fabio Sferra

Researcher (IACC, S3)

Jarmo Kikstra profile picture

Jarmo Kikstra

Research Scholar (IACC, S3, TISS)

Shonali Pachauri profile picture

Shonali Pachauri

Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (TISS); Principal Research Scholar (S3, IACC)

Heidelinde Trimmel profile picture

Heidelinde Trimmel

Research Scholar (S3)

News

Technology and sustainable energy concept showing windmills and graphs on a computer screen

12 August 2024

Balancing technology and governance are key to achieving climate goals

Despite advancements in clean energy, global CO2 emissions continue to rise. IIASA researchers contributed to a new international study that underscores the importance of integrating technological advancements with robust institutional capacities to formulate effective climate policies.
Man installing solar panels on the roof of a house

21 June 2024

Supporting the right small changes can have big impacts

Small changes in our everyday actions can trigger significant, rapid societal shifts especially when it comes to climate action. A new IIASA-led study highlights the importance of analyzing these dynamics with a comprehensive framework to harness their full potential for reducing carbon emissions.
Aerial photograph of newly planted trees next to a forest

05 June 2024

The 2024 State of CDR Report: Scaling up CO2 removal to meet Paris Targets

The 2024 State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report finds that around 7–9 billion tonnes of CO2 per year will need to be removed by mid-century from the atmosphere if the world is to meet the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target. The authors stress that reducing emissions is the primary way to achieve net-zero, but Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) has a critical role to play.

Events

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.

Transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, analog to digitalization, concept illustrated in origami paper folding

14 June 2024

Expert workshop on digitalization narratives and climate change mitigation

Charlie Wilson and Elena Verdolini share insights and experiences from an expert workshop on the impacts of digitalization on energy, materials, the economy, markets, lifestyles, and society, and how these impacts directly or indirectly affect greenhouse gas emissions.