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EDITS (short for Energy Demand changes Induced by Technological and Social innovations) is a global network of researchers, scientists, modelers and practitioners, who deepen knowledge and expertise on  solutions and innovations that drastically reduce energy and material demand. As part of their community work, the EDITS network organizes regular public webinars, which are collected on this page.

The Energy Demand changes Induced by Technological and Social innovations (EDITS) network holds its Annual Conference in Lisbon, Portugal between 6 and 10 November 2023 to further the interdisciplinary dialogue in conceptualizing, analyzing, policy making, and modeling of energy demand and its interlinkages to climate change mitigation and the SDGs.

IIASA and RITE co-organized an expert meeting in the framework of the Energy Demand changes Induced by Technological and Social innovations (EDITS) network to further the interdisciplinary dialogue in conceptualizing, analyzing, policy making, and modeling of energy demand and its interlinkages to climate change mitigation and the SDGs.

Energy Demand changes Induced by Technological and Social innovations (EDITS) side-event at COP26 as part of the Japan Pavilion. The event presented the frontiers in energy and material demand knowledge, the role of digitalization, innovation and equity efforts in a deep social, economic and technological transformation of energy demand. We presented recent work from the EDITS network, and discussed how a demand-side transition can contribute to rapid and successful climate change mitigation towards a 1.5°C pathway.  

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.

Ensuring wellbeing and access to essential and social services is why society requires materials and energy. The seminar organized by IIASA and RITE discussed different aspects of technological, social, and infrastructural innovations that can deeply reduce demand for energy and stimulate a just transition to net-zero societies.

Diffusion of novel digital technologies and major social innovation trends are expected to bring about changes on the demand-side that roll-out GX in the entire socio-economy. A comprehensive evaluation of these initiatives is important in presenting the pathway to the Green Transformation of society.  

The EDITS-ARTS Competition called for submissions to imagine "life in 2050 with much less energy" into art, challenging positive-minded people to imagine a low energy future.

Co-organized by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), and Development Alternatives (DA) under the umbrella of EDITS, the event took place on November 10, 2022, as an official side-event of the UNFCCC COP27. The high-level meeting addressed innovations for energy demand reduction, decarbonization of the urban environment and the construction sector, and pathways toward a net-zero society.

We are happy to announce the winner of the EDITS-ARTS Competition. The first prize goes to Futuregram2050, who created a powerful 2-minute video to portray a positive transformative future and has clearly adhered to the three evaluation criteria. The production has a compelling narrative that presents a balance between having access to modern technologies and services, using modern digital solutions, while at the same time also willing to limit their demand.  

Policy Brief #08, December 2009. As up to 20 percent of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions result from deforestation, the reduction of emissions from deforestation and degradation of forests (REDD) is a major theme of the ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC. This briefing looks at the fundamental issues and the challenges involved in current proposals to implement a trading scheme for REDD credits.

A new commentary, published by members of the Energy Demand Changes Induced by Technological and Social Innovations (EDITS) network, coordinated by IIASA, highlights that switching the focus from how energy is supplied to how energy is consumed can be a more effective approach to reducing carbon emissions with the added benefit of improving wellbeing for all.

Following the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum in November 2023, IIASA researcher Benigna Boza-Kiss reflects on the contribution from the IIASA EDITS project team to this conference, which brought together experts from various disciplines to discuss multi-faceted energy demand in cities like Vienna.

As opportunities for foreign investments and international linkages for Central Asia grows, it provides a great window of opportunity for Kazakhstan to scope new means to revive its unused lands. In November, the Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) program showcased its preliminary findings on scaling carbon farming prospects in Kazakhstan in the capital city of Astana.

Impact Sheet #18, January 2021. IIASA models feed into the biofuel policies of international aviation and the EU road transportation sector, helping to steer them towards cleaner feedstocks.

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.

Ahead of the recent International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum, IIASA researchers Benigna Boza-Kiss and Shonali Pachauri explored the often-overlooked role of the building sector in achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Drawing on IIASA research, they highlight the urgent need to transform how buildings are designed, renovated, and used, emphasizing demand-side solutions, policy reform, and systemic change to avoid locking in emissions for decades to come.

IIASA colleagues joined world leaders and diplomats at the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.