The Real Zero Hub is a new initiative within the Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) program at IIASA.

Key focus areas include:

  • Exploring scientifically grounded pathways that limit exceedance of 1.5°C
  • Capturing real world innovation in climate scenarios
  • Advancing near- and mid-term climate damages assessment
  • Developing national and regional science-based roadmaps embedded in diverse contextual realities

The Real Zero Hub brings together experts both within IIASA and globally to collaborate on generating rigorous science to underpin collaborative near-term systems transformation.

Get in Touch

For partnership enquiries, media, or to learn more about our research program, contact:

  • Hub Director: Shanta Barley
  • Co-Principal Investigators: Keywan Riahi and Setu Pelz

Projects

Exploring Real Zero

Exploring Real Zero is the flagship research project of the Real Zero Hub, co-led with the University of Leeds. It is split into four workstreams.

  • Definition - convening a community-led definition of a real zero approach and establishing scientifically grounded principles for pathways that minimise exceedance of 1.5°C. 
  • Pathways - developing real zero scenarios that capture real-world innovation, coordinated with leading integrated assessment modelling teams. 
  • Damages - advancing assessment of climate damages together with the University of Leeds and community partners, delivering near-term impact projections and counterfactual analysis to evaluate the cost of delay. 
  • Roadmaps - translating real zero principles into science-based national and corporate roadmaps, with select country studies and engagement with key standards bodies. 

Project duration 2026-2028.

Publications

Reports & Briefs

Publications

Reports & Briefs