The PM Group focusses on solving immediate and near-term environmental (health and ecosystems impacts from pollution), climate (non-CO2 greenhouse gases), and social (widening inequality gaps) problems in a cost-effective way, providing support to policymaking at local and regional scales.

The PM Group addresses sustainability challenges in the near and long term through an improved understanding of the multiple benefits of policies and their distribution across society. The group has a strong focus on the development of new approaches for multi-sectoral policy interventions to manage pollution across different media (air, water, and soil) at various scales to address near-term concerns and enable long-term transformations and their public support towards a sustainable future. In particular, the group endeavors to enhance the systems perspective approach to address and explore issues such as the interactions and environmental impacts of pollution; assessment of sources of non-CO2 greenhouse gases; mitigation opportunities; approaches to address nutrient and material cycling; options for more equitable solutions; and improved methods for estimating the health and economic benefits of policy interventions. 

Models, tools, datasets

Air Pollution in India

Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS)

gas pipeline

Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact (MESSAGEix)

Photo 134399877 © Designer491 | Dreamstime.com

ENGAGE Scenario Explorer

Projects

Tanker at sea, aerial view. Large blue and white ship in the bay at sunset

Finding solutions to pollution caused by shipping in Europe (EMERGE)

Photo 260785013 © Mirko Kuzmanovic | Dreamstime.com

Development of a global integrated assessment modeling system for climate-air pollutants management focused on Northeast Asia (GUIDE)

Photo 260785013 © Mirko Kuzmanovic | Dreamstime.com

Development of a collaborative, integrated management framework to improve future air quality in Northeast Asia (AQNEA)

Beige and colored pawns grouped together

Exploring National and Global Actions to reduce Greenhouse gas Emissions (ENGAGE)

Staff

Maximilian Posch profile picture

Maximilian Posch

Guest Research Scholar (PM)

Parul Srivastava profile picture

Parul Srivastava

Research Scholar (PM)

Chris Heyes profile picture

Chris Heyes

Emeritus Research Scholar (PM)

Adriana Gomez Sanabria profile picture

Adriana Gomez Sanabria

Research Scholar (PM)

News

Dreamstime_Co2

08 February 2024

IIASA research informs the European Commission's recommendation for 90% greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2040

The European Commission set an ambitious mid-term target, supported by an extensive Impact Assessment, paving the way to climate neutrality by 2050.
Golden particles awards background

15 November 2023

IIASA researchers again ranked among the world's most cited

IIASA is proud to announce that nine researchers associated with the institute have been recognized in the 2023 Highly Cited Researchers™ list by Clarivate.
solar panels and sunlight

06 November 2023

IIASA analysis underpins the IEA World Energy Outlook, revealing rapid energy transition benefits

IIASA researchers contributed to the latest edition of the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s World Energy Outlook, which shows that there are set to be almost 10 times as many electric cars on the road, renewables are nearing half of the global power mix, and much stronger policies are needed to achieve the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement.

Events

Focus

04 October 2023

ENGAGE Summary for Policymakers

As the world faces the risks of dangerous climate change, policymakers, industry and civil society leaders are counting on Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to inform and guide strategies to deliver on the objectives of the Paris Agreement (PA) and subsequent agreements.
ENGAGE Summary for Policymakers

03 October 2023

Stakeholder engagement in climate change solutions

Policy Brief #42, October 2023. Workshops bringing scientists together with stakeholders from various backgrounds have shown the importance of dialogue for co-designing climate pathways and highlighted the need for physical meetings and capacity building.
policy  brief 42

Publications

Policy applications

22 February 2023

Centre for Integrated Assessment Modelling (CIAM)

Since 1999 IIASA has been hosting the Centre for Integrated Assessment Modelling (CIAM), one of the four centres assigned for the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.
Schloß Laxenburg

22 February 2023

GAINS analyses for the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP15 in Copenhagen

As input to the climate negotiations at COP15 in Copenhagen 2009, IIASA has developed a coherent international comparison of greenhouse gas mitigation efforts among Annex I Parties in 2020. This web site provides interactive access to an on-line calculator, underlying input data, and documentation of the methodology.
Air pollution

22 February 2023

Pollution Management in Developing Countries

There is an urgent need in the developing world for increased support on pollution management in order to respond to the magnitude of the threat to human health and economies. Responding to pollution is a challenge that is solvable in the near term to save lives and unlock economic opportunity through action at the local, national, regional and global levels. The methods developed by the IIASA AIR program offer an integrated perspective on cost-effective policy interventions that improve air quality, reduce negative health impacts, and deliver benefits for a wide range of development goals.
Pollution management