SDSN Global Climate Hub Workshop: Systematic Review on Integrated Assessment Models for Decarbonization Pathways

On Wednesday, April 5th, SDSN Global Climate Hub (GCH) organized a workshop on "Systematic Review on Integrated Assessment Models for Decarbonization Pathways," moderated by Prof. Jeff Sachs and Prof. Phoebe Koundouri at the "Athena" Research and Innovation Centre.


Established in 2022, GCH is a Thematic Network of SDSN focused on providing science-based recommendations for combating the climate crisis and preventing further deterioration. Launched prior to COP27 at the Academy of Athens, the GCH has already participated in several major events including the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations, COP27, and the 6th G-STIC Conference in Rio de Janeiro, and has previously convened experts for a Post COP27 Workshop on climate neutrality and climate resilience. 


The hybrid workshop aimed to showcase the work that is being done with Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) around the world, to provide the opportunity for IAMs experts to network, and to discuss the potential for integrating efforts toward decarbonization and adaptation pathways. Experts from Technical University of Denmark, The Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium, SDSN Asia, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), Environmental Defence Fund (EDF), National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) presented their work on IAMs and modeling techniques.


The workshop featured prominent scientists from leading institutions on climate research, energy and food systems modeling, and sustainability transition from around the world. The speakers brought to the table a synthesis of IAMs and presented their analyses on leveraging modeling techniques to design and assess sustainable pathways concerning natural and socio-economic outcomes. The presentations spurred fruitful discussion on the way forward for the workings of the Global Climate Hub and paved the way for synergies and collaboration in the months to come.


The workshop concluded to work on the following deliverables:

  1. A review of state-of-the-art IAMS which will identify overlaps, synergies, areas that further work will be needed; and
  2. To lobby for a special IPCC report on the socioeconomics narrative for climate neutrality and resilience scenarios of IPCC, in collaboration with the European Union.


Read a complete summary of the workshop, including participant remarks.


Learn more about SDSN Global Climate Hub activities.