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On October 17, 2024, IIASA hosted a panel discussion to introduce the proposed Howard Raiffa Center for Science Diplomacy. A multidisciplinary panel explored the role IIASA can play in advancing science diplomacy and enhance international cooperation on global policy challenges by bridging the gap between researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders through evidence-based decision-making.

IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program is convening a session at the Science Summit during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) to discuss a new global security framework grounded in a science-informed understanding of both social and biophysical realities.

IIASA, in collaboration with its US partner "Friends of IIASA", is organizing the inaugural workshop for the proposed Raiffa Center for Science Diplomacy. This event will gather international experts to shape the Center's framework and identify key areas where it can make a lasting impact.

Join us for the German "IIASA Day" on 17 September at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) or online to learn more about IIASA, explore systems analysis research in different context, and network with experts. 

Co-organized by IIASA, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Austrian Academy of Sciences, this hybrid event marks the Austrian launch of the Human Development Report 2023-2024 "Breaking the gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world" with a keynote presentation by Pedro Conceicao, Director of the UNDP Human Development Report Office, followed by flash talks and a panel discussion focusing on human agency as a foundation for sustainable development.

Working with IIASA researchers, Ghana pioneered the adoption of a citizen science approach to address the problem of plastic pollution in marine  environments. Further analysis highlighted how a similar citizen science data validation and reporting process can benefit reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in other countries.

IIASA researchers played a central role in the European Commission’s recommendation for the 2040 climate target, from delivering the scientific  foundation and establishing dialogue with the community, to being among the renowned scientists selected as members of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.

IIASA researchers conducted several case studies and published two policy briefs informing policymakers about policy and financing barriers limiting the uptake of nature‑based solutions (NBS) compared to conventional grey infrastructure, as well as possible ways of overcoming them.

A year in the making, the IIASA Flagship Report titled “Systems Analysis for Sustainable Wellbeing. 50 Years of IIASA Research, 40 Years After the Brundtland Commission, Contributing to the Post-2030 Global Agenda” was launched in September 2023 at an official UN event in the  framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

IIASA researchers Dilek Yildiz and Guy Abel highlight the benefits of a new statistical model that combines traditional data sources like the census with real-time Facebook data to estimate EU migrant populations, offering valuable insights for policymakers.

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.

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.

What is the role of research in environmental negotiations? IIASA Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation Research Group Leader, Piero Visconti will be participating in a round table discussion at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, looking at how research can strengthen the role of environmental knowledge in international cooperation for a just and sustainable future. 

H.E. Ambassador Laura Holgate, US Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, met with IIASA Director General John Schellnhuber to discuss advancing collaboration on leveraging systems analysis for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The visit strengthened ties between IIASA and the US, emphasizing a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange for informed decision making.

IIASA researchers are participating in a new project kicking off in Uganda this week, in which IIASA and a number of international partners will work with Ugandan stakeholders to co-develop a national strategy for organic waste management in the country.

Despite advancements in data collection and analysis, bridging the gap between Earth Observation products and policy implementation remains a critical challenge. The upcoming Open-Earth-Monitor Global Workshop 2024 provides an ideal platform to explore the pivotal role of Earth Observation in shaping policies and contribute insights to achieving a sustainable future.

From 6-7 March, the European Union Science Diplomacy Working Group 4 on building capacity for European science diplomacy convened for a two-day co-creation workshop hosted by IIASA and the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna. 

IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program Director, Keywan Riahi, has been re-appointed to the UN Secretary-General's Group of Ten High-level Representatives for the 2024-2025 term.

The macroeconomic agent-based model (MacroABM) developed by IIASA is gaining momentum. Researchers and practitioners working on the model, both from academic and policy institutions, will meet on 18-19 April 2024 in Schloss Laxenburg. This workshop will facilitate exchanges on the model, create a space to get support with practical issues, and share ideas.

Martin Polaschek, Austria's Federal Minister for Education, Science, and Research recently visited IIASA to discuss current research priorities and explore potential opportunities for collaboration between the institute and the Ministry.