The terms “co-creation” and “co-production”, which denote the possibility for laypeople to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives, have been gaining popularity. A new IIASA-led study explored options for empowering citizens as a driver for moving from awareness about the need to transform energy systems to action and participation.
The current state of the world affairs calls for a revival of systems thinking to improve decision-making. Recognizing that the tightening of socio-economic links heightens the need for holistic responses, that disciplinary and sectorial solutions are of limited effectiveness and efficiency, and that big data is not generating integrative perspectives by itself, highlights the need for policymakers to become thoroughly familiar with the promises and pitfalls of systems analysis. Challenges are systemic, dynamic, and interconnected, and systems analysis, coupled with an improved anticipation, provides a coherent methodology and necessary tools to develop new approaches so urgently required for more coherent and effective policy planning.
We are developing and applying a range of methods for integrated multi-attribute evaluation under risk, subject to incomplete or imperfect information, and evaluations of decision situations using imprecise utilities, probabilities, and weights, as well as qualitative estimates between these components derived from sets of weight, utility and probability measures. To avoid some mathematical aggregation problems when handling set membership functions and similar, we use higher-order distributions for better discrimination between the possible outcomes.
This webinar, focusing on transboundary climate risk and adaptation, is organised by Adaptation Without Borders (AWB), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP). It is one of a series convened to support researchers, policymakers and practitioners to further their knowledge and capacity and underpin effective adaptation to climate change.
IIASA Director General and CEO Albert van Jaarsveld will participate in the Second Global Forum of Funders - a platform bringing together together leaders from national research funding agencies, foundations and development aid agencies, as well as eminent individuals across the globe who share a common vision of advancing science for a sustainable future for all.
IIASA Distinguished Visiting Fellow Sir Peter Gluckman will speak at a virtual public lecture offered by IIASA and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Drawing on lessons learned from the pandemic and findings from the IIASA-ISC Consultative Science Platform he will suggest pathways forwards that can enable the transformative changes needed for a safe and healthy planet.
IIASA scientists are contributing to the IPCC Working Group III Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). Author teams will be gathering virtually to work on the final draft taking into account the tens of thousands of comments which were submitted during the second round of reviews from external experts.