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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.

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.

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.

Innovations in technology are emerging at an exponential pace and the diffusion of technology is faster than ever across the world. At the heart of these transformations lies Eurasia, home to over 70% of the world’s population and a highly complex array of diverse geopolitical systems. How can Eurasian nations strategically align themselves to harness the benefits of this rapid technological evolution? And what role will its geopolitics play?

Competition policy is recognizing the challenges of regulating conglomerate ecosystems in the era of digitalization. However, the need to bridge the gap between recognition and policy action remains. To discuss how, Elena Rovenskaya led a thematic session at the UNCTAD eWeek 2023.

We are thrilled to announce an insightful online seminar entitled "Mining Public Perception: Advanced Analytics in Big Data" scheduled for Tuesday, 9 January 2024. This United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) seminar will be hosted under the auspices of the UN Asia and the Pacific Data Integration Community of Practice.

IIASA Interim Deputy Director General for Science, Wolfgang Lutz, will deliver a keynote speech at The Economist's forthcoming Third Demographic Summit on handling the demographic emergency and the role of science, governments, and citizens.

Recording available. The twelfth IIASA Voices webinar focused on the role of different drivers in shaping migration worldwide, with IIASA researchers Raya Muttarak, Jesus Crespo Cuaresma, and Gregor Zens presenting insights from their recent work. The recording of the webinar is now available to watch below.

The need to reduce global emissions by shifting away from fossil fuels is evident in the concluding agreements of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC. But what about addressing current atmospheric emissions? Central Asia, with its diverse nations and ecosystems, offers a distinctive platform for mitigating existing emissions through carbon farming practices and nature-based solutions.

The world has reached a pivotal moment as threats from Earth system tipping points – and progress towards positive tipping points – accelerate. The just released Global Tipping Points Report – the most comprehensive assessment of tipping points ever conducted – highlights that humanity is currently on a disastrous trajectory.

Modern, target-oriented research and quality education, more exchange with international peers and partners, better science-policy interaction, and improved coordination and communication with international and national actors are crucial for ensuring a sustainable future of Ukraine’s forests.

In the age of digitalization, the dominance of digital platform ecosystems (DPEs) extends beyond concentration of product markets, impacting not only economic dynamics but also exerting influence on the broader well-being of individuals including its social and environmental dimensions. As private incentives often supersede social responsibilities even for the most powerful DPEs, competition regulators face the challenge to incorporate a broader concept of wellbeing and sustainability into their activities.

The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance (ZFRA) — a longstanding partnership IIASA is engaged in — has released its second flagship global report, focusing on ways to improve recovery efforts and help communities better prepare for future climate risks.

How to prepare better and react easier to disruptions? A discussion was held at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai on energy security presenting a new perspective, identifying the multiple benefits a demand-side approach can give when society faces wars, disruptions, recessions and alike.

IIASA colleagues will join world leaders and diplomats at the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. IIASA researchers are organizing and/or participating in several side events where they will present the latest research on how to reach ambitious targets on climate.

This round table forum, jointly hosted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), and the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP) with support from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management (BML), will bring together global experts to explore pathways toward catalyzing coordinated and impactful international action to address Ukrainian forest research and education needs and priorities.

Options Magazine, Winter 2023: As cities draw in more and more people, the challenges and opportunities posed by urbanization are ever-increasing. How can we make sure that the cities of tomorrow will serve both people and the planet?