Johannes Bednar

Research Scholar

Exploratory Modeling of Human-natural Systems Research Group

Advancing Systems Analysis Program

Biography

Johannes Bednar is a research scholar in the Exploratory Modeling of Human-natural Systems Research Group of the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program. He recently defended his DPhil in Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford, UK.

His research focuses on the intersection of modeling and governance in the context of climate overshoot and net-negative emissions. He has made significant contributions to the academic and policy discourse through publications in leading journals as well as policy reports on carbon dioxide removal, focusing on the development of innovative governance approaches and advancing our understanding of the feasibility of net-negative emissions.

With master's degrees in physics and European studies, Bednar brings a diverse skill set to his research. In addition to his academic pursuits, he has practical experience as a project manager at a leading Austrian energy utility firm. He has also worked as a software engineer specializing in energy portfolio optimization with a focus on utilizing stochastic linear optimization techniques.

Last update: 27 MAR 2026

Publications

Bednar, J., Macinante, J., Baklanov, A. , Hall, J., Wagner, F. , Ghaleigh, N.S., & Obersteiner, M. (2024). Beyond emissions trading to a negative carbon economy: a proposed carbon removal obligation and its implementation. Climate Policy 24 (4) 501-514. 10.1080/14693062.2023.2276858.

Bednar, J., Höglund, R., Möllersten, K., Obersteiner, M., & Eve, T. (2023). Role of removals in contributing to the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. Swedish Energy Agency

Bednar, J., Baklanov, A. , & Macinante, J. (2023). The Carbon Removal Obligation: Updated analytical model and scenario analysis. IIASA Working Paper. Laxenburg, Austria: WP-23-001

Khabarov, N. , Bednar, J., Smirnov, A. , & Obersteiner, M. (2022). Social Cost of Carbon: Systems Analysis Perspective & Relevance to Policy Targets. In: Systems Analysis for Reducing Footprints and Enhancing Resilience, 16-17 November, 2022, Vienna, Austria.

Bednar, J., Obersteiner, M. , Baklanov, A. , Thomson, M., Wagner, F. , Geden, O., Allen, M., & Hall, J.W. (2021). Operationalizing the net-negative carbon economy. Nature 596 377-383. 10.1038/s41586-021-03723-9.