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Summer season is traditionally a period when researchers from different corners of the globe, being united by a passion for systems analysis, gather at IIASA. This year, the FLAM team has welcomed two brilliant persons with diverse backgrounds – an intern and a guest research assistant – who are eager to contribute their unique perspectives to a shared research topic. We are happy to introduce these dynamic individuals and hear their expectations as they embark on this scientific journey at IIASA with us.

A novel machine learning framework developed by IIASA researchers to estimate global rooftop area growth from 2020 to 2050 can aid in planning sustainable energy systems, urban development, and climate change mitigation, and has potential for significant benefits in emerging economies.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequent displacement of millions of people will have a significant impact on the country’s long-term population structure. Researchers from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, IIASA, and the University of Vienna are forecasting a substantial population decline of 21-31% by 2052.

Global water scarcity, a result of both quantity and quality change, challenges the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. An international team of researchers developed a novel modeling approach to identify cost-effective combinations of water management, promising a substantial reduction in future water scarcity.  

IIASA researchers are part of the ALFAwetlands project, which aims to map wetlands in the European Union and assess restoration measures to provide maximum benefits for climate and biodiversity. The project partners recently gathered for a Midterm Conference to review implementation progress, present and exchange current results, and discuss further plans.

A new publication authored by scientists from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and IIASA with a large European consortium provides vital insights into the current status of biodiversity monitoring in Europe, identifying policy needs, challenges, and future pathways.

A new IIASA study explores waste management systems and reveals that achieving zero waste leakage by 2030 is unlikely, potentially jeopardizing related Sustainable Development Goals. The authors emphasize the need for global cooperation, particularly across four regions, to responsibly manage waste disposal.

IIASA researchers contributed to a new study, analyzing the main narratives in public discussions of climate change on social media.

BRICS countries face common regulatory challenges posed by the increasing dominance of digital platform ecosystems. By fostering dialogue and cooperation between their competition authorities, these nations can aim to develop a unified understanding and symbiotic strategies to tackle these challenges.

Unlock the potential of digital artificial intelligence to address pressing environmental challenges! Traditional approaches to conservation are evolving as AI tools enable precise monitoring, predictive analytics, and optimized resource management. From combating climate change to preserving biodiversity, AI offers scalable solutions that benefit ecosystems and communities alike. Explore how AI is reshaping environmental stewardship for a sustainable future.

Computer games are not only entertaining but can also offer new perspectives, as demonstrated by the game "Climate Survivors". In this game, players combat the consequences of global warming while learning about scientifically grounded facts in an engaging and playful way.

Nadejda Komendantova, the Cooperation and Transformative Governance Research Group leader, and Dmitry Erokhin, a researcher at IIASA, prepared a case study on the application of science, technology and innovation solutions to increase participation in climate change adaptation. In this case study, they discuss best-practice solutions as well as their internal and external validity. The case study served as an input to the 9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals held on May 9-10, 2024, at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

When it comes to practical solutions, finding causal links is one of the holy grails in all disciplines of science. Although Granger-type causality doesn’t prove actual causality, it becomes a powerful tool for analyzing any system once it’s coupled with theoretical reasoning. Recent advances in wavelet analysis as a tool to unravel the patterns and coherence among different phenomena raise the question of whether such coherence can be used to indicate causality.

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.

IIASA experts took part in various discussions and activities organized as part of the UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Conference, seeking to boost climate action and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Global crop modelers and IIASA scientists joined forces to explore the potential impacts of nuclear winter resulting from hypothetical nuclear detonations on food systems and food security.

In May, IIASA Director General John Schellnhuber and Head of Communications and External Relations Barbara Kreissler traveled to Washington DC for a series of meetings with members of the US IIASA Committee and other key stakeholders. The trip aimed to strengthen relationships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

It is our pleasure to announce the appointment of Professor Karen Lips as the new IIASA Deputy Director General effective from 1 July 2024.

The Finance Innovation Festival took place at IIASA on May 23-24. The hybrid event featured 44 speakers in plenary and discussion sessions and attracted 119 participants.

Researchers from the Equity and Justice Research Group, in collaboration with Uni Graz, Umweltbundesamt, MedUni Wien, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam hosted the second stakeholder workshop of the DISCC-AT project on 28 May at IIASA.