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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and IIASA are jointly hosting an online Expert Workshop on food waste emissions methodologies and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, from 14:00-16:00 CEST.

New research from IIASA and the University of Oxford provides the first quantitative evidence that drought exposure over the last 12 months is associated with increased risk of sexual, emotional, and physical violence among adolescents in Southern Africa. This risk rises substantially during cumulative droughts over two years.  

IIASA researchers present their latest insights on nature-based solutions (NbS) at the World Biodiversity Forum 2026, organized by the University of Zurich in Davos, Switzerland. Their research explores how protection forests can support climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction in a changing world.

Titled “Integrated Systems Analysis of Ecosystems: The Land, Water, Food, and Climate Nexus”, the publication brings together expertise from IIASA and leading Chinese researchers to address the interconnected challenges of ecosystem sustainability, food security, and climate resilience.

A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MoST) and representatives of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Austria visited IIASA at Schloss Laxenburg on 13 May 2026 for discussions on scientific cooperation, science diplomacy, and future collaboration.

Nexus of Sustainability: Understanding of FEWSE Systems II is a 2026 Springer monograph detailing the interdependencies between food, energy, water, society, and the environment (FEWSE). It focuses on risk management, robust modeling, and sustainable development, featuring recent research of the joint research project between IIASA and National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU, Ukraine NMO at IIASA) on “Integrated modeling for robust management of food-energy-water-land use nexus for sustainable development”.

Researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) contributed to the Expert Round Table on Climate Misinformation, organized within the framework of the MIP4Adapt initiative. MIP4Adapt (Mission Implementation Platform) is the central support mechanism for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, aiding regions and local authorities in planning and implementing climate resilience strategies. It provides technical assistance, community building, and funding guidance to Charter signatories. 

IIASA recently welcomed Dame Julie Maxton, Executive Director of the Royal Society, to Laxenburg for a series of discussions focused on global challenges, science diplomacy, and the future of international research cooperation.

Bridging climate science and health modeling

Persistent methane emissions from sectors such as agriculture and growing debates over the credibility of carbon offsets are creating new challenges for governments and companies pursuing net-zero commitments. New research suggests temporary carbon storage may have a scientifically valid role in helping support climate goals, if used in the right way.

Representatives from China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security visited Schloss Laxenburg in May 2026 for discussions on international research collaboration, scientific career development, and talent exchange.

IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber is featured in the new documentary Hirschhausen will zum Papst (Hirschhausen wants to meet the Pope), produced by Germany’s public broadcaster ARD.

A recent Table.Briefings article featuring comments by IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber highlights growing concerns that progress in decarbonizing the global buildings sector remains too slow to achieve international climate goals. The article discusses findings from the new UNEP and Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2025/2026.

In an era of information overload and rapidly evolving media landscapes, science journalism plays a crucial role in helping audiences understand complex global challenges. IIASA is pleased to join ISTA and the Complexity Science Hub for a panel discussion exploring how journalists and communicators can uphold accuracy, context, and trust in science reporting.

Researchers from the Systemic Risk and Resilience (SYRR) Research Group within IIASA’s Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Program will participate in the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (ZCRA) Global Learning Event 2026, taking place from 1–3 June 2026 at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.