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3 Day Capacity Building event held in Sofia, Bulgaria as part of the Danube Water Balance Project

The 2025 IIASA Annual Report showcases how international scientific collaboration, systems analysis, and science diplomacy are helping to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to demographic shifts and sustainable development.

Working with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, India, and the World Bank, researchers from the IIASA Pollution Management Research Group helped develop a forward-looking clean air strategy for the Uttar Pradesh state of India, based on air quality levels, trends, and prominent pollution sources.

In 2024, IIASA expanded its global partnerships to drive collaborative research and policy innovation in sustainability, climate action, and systems science through new agreements, joint initiatives, and high-level engagements. 

In 2024, IIASA strengthened its position as a trusted science diplomacy actor by deepening engagement with international institutions and supporting evidence-based policy dialogue across global platforms.  

As part of its mission, IIASA aims to provide scientific guidance to policymakers by finding solutions to global problems through applied systems analysis. Through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, the Institute delivers independent, science-based insights into critical policy issues, supporting evidence-informed decision-making on challenges such as climate change, energy security, and sustainable development. 

Air pollution has become the leading health risk in Nepal, contributing to around 26,000 premature deaths each year. IIASA researchers provided scientific tools and analysis for a new World Bank report presenting the country’s first comprehensive clean air plan to address the problem.

IIASA has released its second Gender Equality Report, outlining the progress made in 2024 toward fostering a more equitable and inclusive workplace.   

The Strategic Initiatives Program plays an important role in advancing initiatives through strong engagement with the Institute’s member organizations while delivering groundbreaking research. In 2024, the program launched a Call for Expressions of Interest, informed by insights from the Member Organizations Engagement Workshop held in October 2023. Following rigorous evaluation, two initiatives were selected for funding: Biodiversity and Land-use Objectives for Optimal Management (bloom) and Wildfires and Climate Change in the Boreal Zone (Fire&Ice).

In 2024, the Population and Just Societies Program focused on addressing the questions surrounding the concepts of justice, inclusion, and human wellbeing across diverse social and demographic contexts. 

As the climate clock ticks, the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program continued to examine the intricate links between climate, energy, and institutional resilience. 

In 2024, the Economic Frontiers Program explored the shifting dynamics between demography, health, and sustainability. 

As global challenges grow increasingly interconnected and uncertain, the Advancing Systems Analysis Program provides decision-makers with the tools and insights needed to respond effectively. 

Over the past year, the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program has made significant strides in advancing our understanding of the complex relationships between ecosystems, land use, and climate. 

Northern peatlands could seriously complicate efforts to cool the planet, especially after a temporary overshoot of the 1.5°C global warming limit, according to new IIASA-led research.

Earth’s carbon-climate system may be more fragile than widely thought, according to a new IIASA-led study that looks at the planet’s response to human pressures from a planetary perspective.

Why does soil health monitoring matter? What are some of the latest tools scientists are developing to make it easier? And what ambitions do policymakers have for monitoring frameworks of the future? Sign up for this free webinar to join leading experts to discuss these topics and learn more about the future of soil science.