IIASA is proud to announce the launch of its Flagship Report, "Systems Analysis for Sustainable Wellbeing. 50 Years of IIASA Research, 40 Years After the Brundtland Commission, Contributing to the Post-2030 Global Agenda” on Wednesday, 13 September 2023 at an official UN event in the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly and the Sustainable Development Goals mid-term review.
Boreal forests often bring to mind a winter wonderland: spruce and pine forests as far as the eye can see, fluffy snow dotted with reindeer beneath a nighttime sky brightened by the aurora borealis. Climate change threatens this fragile, pristine habitat that spans 8 countries in the far north. Now boreal forests are associated not just with snowy landscapes, they are becoming synonymous with raging wildfires and massive plumes of smoke, such as those found currently in Canada.
Mitigating the threats posed by climate change in this unique ecosystem and discussing the most recent boreal-related research is the focus of the International Boreal Forest Association conference. Organized in large part by IIASA’s own Florian Kraxner, IBFRA 2023 was held in Helsinki, Finland, where researchers from around the globe gathered to discuss recent findings, foster new connections, and contribute to a plan of attack to save boreal forests as we know them.
Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land, according to new research.
Climate change and increases in drought and rainstorms pose serious challenges to water management, not only in terms of the quantity of water, but also its quality. However, according to the most recent IPCC report, our current understanding of this issue is inadequate. To fill this gap, an international group of scientists has brought together a large body of research on water quality in rivers worldwide.
Africa has great potential for the implementation of hydropower, but there are political and environmental concerns that planners must consider if they want to ensure a more reliable power supply for their citizens. IIASA researcher Giacomo Falchetta delved into this issue in an article recently published on The Conversation.
MultiFutures (MULTIFUTURES)
Long-term spillover impacts of financial markets on the environment (PVARGLOBIOM)
New research by an international team challenges the common narrative linking climate change to migration. The findings emphasize the importance of human development factors over climate considerations and reveal the complexity of migration patterns often obscured by national averages.
Carl Schleussner
Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (ICI)
A team of researchers from IIASA’s Systemic Risk and Resilience (Advancing Systems Analysis Program) is primed to present their work at the highly anticipated 7th "Adaptation Futures" conference at the Palais des congrès de Montréal in Canada this October. Adaptation Futures is the premier international conference devoted entirely to climate change adaptation. It brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, industry representatives, and communicators to present their work in adaptation, learn from others, and establish networks. The conference provides a vibrant platform for IIASA researchers to spotlight their cutting-edge work on managing systemic risks and increasing resilience against climate impacts.
Policy Brief #39, September 2023. The strong support for nature-based solutions voiced by the European Commission will require urgent policy reforms if Member States are to fulfil the United Nation’s ambition of tripling investments in nature by 2030 to meet climate and biodiversity targets.
Johanna San Pedro is the latest addition to the Agriculture, Forestry, and Ecosystem Services Research Group at IIASA. We wanted to take this opportunity to share her journey before IIASA, her passions, and what makes her a unique addition to the FLAM team.
Policy Brief #38, September 2023. The European Commission is investing considerably in nature-based solutions to position Europe as a leader for ‘innovation with nature’. While ambition is growing, implementation remains problematic.
IIASA is co-convening a session during the ninth Science Summit around the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) that will take place on 12-29 September 2023, focusing on "Developing Equitable Partnerships for Open Science and Innovation in the era of AI".
In addition, IIASA research scholar Dilek Fraisl will participate as a speaker in another session, titled “Citizen Science for Digital Health and AI Research”.
IIASA researchers will present their work at the “Lower Austria Research Festival 2023 - Forschungsfest Niederösterreich”, organized by the Section of Science and Research of the Province of Lower Austria.
An Austrian choreographer, an American playwright, and a Dutch composer have collaborated with scientists to shed light on various dimensions of the ecological crisis in artistic ways. On 6 October 2023 at 20:00 CET, they will present some of their work in an engaging program titled “What We Want” at the MuTh, one of Vienna’s well-known concert halls.
Every summer, IIASA turns into a buzzing hub of knowledge seekers, and this year is no different! The AFE FLAM team welcomed three interns and three YSSP fellows this summer and we took a moment to chat with Rasheed, Adrian, Laura, and Lawrence about their experiences and goals.
The International Boreal Forest Research Association will bring together researchers, managers, policymakers, and members from civil society for its bi-annual conference, focusing on the changing boreal biome. It will be hosted by The Natural Resources Institute of Finland from 28 - 31 August 2023 in Helsinki, Finland.
Bas van Ruijven will represent the ENGAGE consortium at the upcoming European Climate and Energy Modelling Platform (ECEMP). His keynote will cover the Feasible scenarios to increase climate ambition.
IIASA Flagship Report launch is co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Austria and South Africa to the UN and supported by the Department of Science and Technology of South Africa. This official UN event illuminated essential facets of this landmark publication, which has received a foreword contribution from Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria.