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In 2024, global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C for the first time, signaling that the world is on track to pass this limit within the next decade. In a new commentary, IIASA experts and collaborators argue that this new reality requires a rethink of accountability in climate policy.

IIASA researchers explored why mortality among adults of working age remains high in India alongside rapid economic growth, finding that education – at both individual and community levels – is more strongly associated with lower premature mortality than income or household wealth.

IIASA recently welcomed H.E. Ambassador Eduardo Paes Saboia, Ambassador of Brazil to Austria, for a high-level visit to the Institute’s headquarters in Laxenburg. The visit provided an opportunity for an in-depth exchange on IIASA’s research portfolio and on future avenues for strengthening cooperation between IIASA and Brazilian institutions.

Within the next few decades, intensifying heatwaves could expose a significant share of Europe’s cattle to dangerous levels of heat stress. New research maps where and how millions of animals may be affected by mid-century.

The SPES Explorer – European Pressing Issues Dashboard is a web-based interactive application that visualises how citizens across European countries have perceived their most pressing national problems over time. It combines country-level maps with time-series charts and offers optional breakdowns by age group and gender. Users can explore, compare, and download harmonised indicators derived from Eurobarometer surveys. SPES examines productivity, equity, sustainability, participation and human security. The dashboard documents citizens’ perspectives by showing how people prioritise problems in their countries. It supports scenario building and policy dialogue by revealing shifts in perceived challenges that may motivate, accelerate, or constrain sustainable development pathways.

Cities are expected to track sustainability progress with data that are often incomplete, outdated, or available only at national level. New research led by IIASA in collaboration with UN-Habitat finds that citizen science could address these gaps and support nearly 70% of global sustainability indicators, yet is currently used in only 4% of cases.

This webinar will focus on the Global Tipping Points Report 2025 and feature leading researchers and authors to unpack its insights on topics like coral reefs, governance strategies, and positive tipping points that can make a difference.

In a commentary published by Süddeutsche Zeitung (South German Newspaper), columnist Heribert Prantl reflects on the renewed importance of science diplomacy amid growing geopolitical tensions, highlighting IIASA as a notable exception to the current global trend of disengagement.

China’s rising demand for cooling doesn’t have to drive rising temperatures. A new study shows how rapid shifts to cleaner refrigerants and high-efficiency technologies could cut cooling-related climate impacts to near zero by mid-century.

Sergei Scherbov will present his contribution to the Bulletin of the World Health Organization’s theme issue on Health System Responses to Population Declines, at the launch event on 27 January 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. 

In January, the Laxenburg Education Campus became a gathering place for curious minds, engaged citizens, and local forward-thinkers. In cooperation with IIASA, the Municipality of Laxenburg hosted the opening of the exhibition Climate & Me, welcoming visitors interested in sustainability.

The SIIA framework combines principles from technology assessment ("Technikfolgenabschätzung") with process and systems engineering across all life cycle stages. Its core focus is on the integration of processes, systems, and sectors; the role of storages, batteries, and securities in temporal integration; and the interaction of networks, grids, infrastructure and trade routes for spatial integration.

Participation in leading international scientific conferences is an important element of IIASA’s engagement with the global research community. In December, IIASA researchers participated in the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2025 (AGU25) in New Orleans, one of the world’s largest annual conferences in Earth, climate, and environmental sciences. IIASA researcher Andre Nakhavali shares some reflections and experiences from the event.

IIASA’s EQU Research Group started the new year with the kick-off meeting of the Transform-Labor project led by Julia Beier and Susanne Hanger-Kopp. The project centers heat affected workers in Austria in the development of transformative climate change adaptation options.

IIASA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) Awards in recognition of outstanding research conducted during the program.