A new study reveals that higher rainfall does not necessarily equate to higher groundwater recharge, and that aridity and episodicity play a crucial role in determining groundwater replenishment. The research also finds that some sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing declining groundwater levels due to drying climate trends.
Airships could increase the feasibility of a 100% sustainable world by reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The study proposes using airships to transport cargo and hydrogen, leveraging the jet stream for energy and reducing the need for liquefaction.
Researchers identified social norms and self-efficacy as the primary drivers of population-wide dietary shifts towards sustainable diets. The study found that these factors, particularly in young populations and among females, play a crucial role in shaping behavior influencing diet changes.
The Cerrado, a global biodiversity hotspot, faces significant threats from soybean cultivation. A study suggests expanding the Amazon Soy Moratorium to the Cerrado could prevent 3.6 million hectares of native vegetation conversion between 2020 and 2050. This would require only a 2% reduction in soybean cultivation area nationally.
Researchers from IIASA and colleagues provide a new tool to clearly communicate insights about carbon budgets, making it easier for policymakers to understand changes in the remaining carbon budget. The study defines the size of the remaining carbon budget by five main factors, including warming expected per ton of CO2 emission.
The program has fast-tracked LPG consumer enrolments by about 16 months, with consumption estimates half that of average rural consumers. However, to fully realize health and environmental benefits, incentives are needed for sustained LPG use.
A new study using satellite data reveals large inequalities in progress towards universal access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. The research provides a high-resolution gridded dataset to assess electrification in the region, enabling policymakers to prioritize support for infrastructure expansion and track progress over time.
A new study finds that climate change will lead to a significant increase in global energy demand by 2050, with the largest changes occurring in electricity needed for cooling and the industry and service sectors.
Researchers analyzed bribery in public institutions using evolutionary game theory, finding that socioeconomic role-players are guided by self-interest. Successful anti-corruption measures can lead to a feedback cycle where they undermine their own success, perpetuating corruption.
Researchers say education is primary driver of true demographic dividend, regardless of changing age structures. A new model proposes that a strong demographic dividend can be gained from more working-age individuals who are better educated.
A new study by an international research group has identified the main drivers of global land use projections, revealing that population growth, agricultural efficiency, and consumption changes are key factors. The findings suggest that increasing agricultural productivity, enforcing efficient land use protection, and shifting diets to...
A study by IIASA researchers and colleagues finds that stringent climate policies could negatively impact food security, threatening 130-280 million people with hunger in 2050. However, smart and inclusive policy designs can mitigate these risks at a modest cost of 0-0.46% GDP.
A study by IIASA suggests prioritizing water for the environment can be achieved by shifting crop production to water-abundant regions and tripling international food trade. This approach could help maintain both food security and environmental flow requirements by 2050.
A study proposes a new target for protected areas based on biodiversity outcomes, addressing issues with current targets that focus on quantity rather than quality. The new approach involves systematic monitoring of global sites of biodiversity significance to determine the effectiveness of management practices.
A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people in rural communities are more vulnerable to both hot and cold temperature extremes than those living in urban areas. The disparity was greater for women, older adults, and those with poor public health system coverage.
A study by IIASA estimates large gaps in access to essential space cooling, particularly in India, SE Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Filling this gap would require a 14% increase in global residential electricity consumption.
A new study found that disruptions in women's education in sub-Saharan Africa are partly responsible for the stall in declining fertility rates. The research used detailed data on over two million births and found that cohorts affected by educational discontinuities in the 1980s tend to have higher levels of fertility.
A new IIASA study suggests that it is possible to neutralize the natural gas threat from thawing permafrost in the Arctic by controlling human emissions. The researchers found that reducing man-made methane emissions can outweigh a large Arctic natural emission increase, making it manageable.
A new study by IIASA researchers establishes a causal link between climate change, conflict, and migration. Climate conditions can exacerbate conflicts over scarce resources, particularly in regions with poor governance.
The study developed three water sector development scenarios to compare costs and impacts of achieving SDG6 goals and meeting climate targets. The analysis shows that combining clean water and climate policies can increase implementation costs, but these increases are relatively small compared to the cost for implementing each policy o...
Researchers found that changing agricultural practices and shifting diets away from meat and dairy products could reduce sector emissions by up to 50% by 2050. Dietary changes in overconsuming countries could contribute additional reductions of 23%, with the beef and dairy industries having high greenhouse gas intensities.
A new study finds that 9m elderly men and 14m elderly women in India suffer from disabilities, with diabetes having the highest correlation to disability. The researchers suggest that acting in a timely way to address chronic morbidity can help minimize the burden of disability.
A new report by IIASA researchers reveals that climate change is causing millions of premature deaths globally due to air pollution, with older people in Europe and the East Mediterranean being particularly vulnerable to heatwaves. The study also finds that phasing out coal-use can significantly reduce pollution-related deaths.
A new study using crowdsourced field size data shows that smallholder farms contribute substantially to world food production, making up 40% of the global agricultural area. The research provides a detailed map and estimates of field sizes at the global, continental, and national levels.
A new index, Human Life Indicator (HLI), measures human wellbeing by considering years of life, similar to life expectancy at birth. The HLI can distinguish between populations with varying lifespans and may provide a more accurate assessment of human development than the Human Development Index.
A new study found that meat and dairy products are responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions from EU diets. Reducing consumption of these food groups can help mitigate climate change.
Researchers at IIASA and the Complexity Science Hub found that non-financial firms, such as vehicle manufacturers and energy companies, introduce more systemic risk than the financial sector. Strong regulations are needed for systemically important companies, regardless of their financial status.
The new interactive scenario explorer provides a curated set of 414 climate scenarios developed by over a dozen research teams worldwide. The tool facilitates better understanding of synergies and trade-offs between climate change mitigation and sustainable development, and is freely accessible to the public.
The Extended Continental-scale Hydroeconomic Optimization (ECHO) model integrates hydrological, environmental, economic, and institutional aspects to study continental-scale water management. It considers local constraints and regional policies at multiple spatial scales.
A new study accounts for permafrost carbon release in emission budgets, showing the world may exceed Paris climate targets sooner than thought. Permafrost thaw causes large amounts of previously trapped carbon to be released into the atmosphere, making it a critical factor in estimating emission budgets.
Researchers developed a decision-making framework addressing water scarcity under climate change, explicitly considering uncertainties. The framework provides guidelines for policy options and helps policymakers make informed decisions on investments and interventions.
Almost half of India's districts are not on track to meet the target for newborns and under-five mortality rates by 2030. Despite progress in reducing deaths among children under five and newborns, India still faces significant challenges, including socioeconomic and geographic disparities.
A new IIASA-led research suggests that climate mitigation schemes in agriculture could lead to more widespread hunger and food insecurity than the direct impacts of climate change. The study highlights the need for smarter, inclusive policies that prioritize development goals alongside emissions reduction.
A new study suggests that incorporating regional differences into population projection models in India can significantly impact projected population growth. The research highlights the importance of considering education level, which is associated with lower fertility rates, in determining population projections.
A new study emphasizes the importance of behavioral policies in encouraging the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles, citing consumer preferences and climate policies as key factors. The research suggests that a combination of policies can increase the market share of low-carbon vehicles to over 25% by 2050.
Researchers found that enforcing Brazil's Forest Code will not hinder agricultural growth, but rather require intensification of cattle farming to reduce deforestation. The code aims to protect native vegetation, reducing loss by 53.4 million ha and increasing forest restoration.
A new report by researchers from IIASA, LTU, and RISE finds that large-scale biorefineries will have limited effects on the availability and pricing of wood products and feedstocks. The production of biofuels and chemicals can replace some fossil-based equivalents, leading to increased demand for biomass resources.
The study finds that a radical shift towards renewable energy, energy efficiency, and measures to achieve SDGs is needed. Investments in low carbon energy will likely need to overtake fossil fuel investments as early as 2025.
A new FotoQuest Go app allows citizens to collect pictures and information on land use and land cover in Europe. The app helps monitor changes in the local environment, providing valuable data for researchers. Citizen scientists can earn money by completing quests and contributing to the project's financially supported campaign.
Transforming daily activities like transportation, heating, and device use can limit global warming to 1.5°C. This can be achieved through innovations in energy efficiency and low-carbon development, enabling the meeting of UN Sustainable Development Goals while remaining within the climate target.
A recent study finds that a 2°C global temperature rise could expose nearly half of the world's population to multiple climate change risks, compared to a 1.5°C rise. The areas most at risk are densely populated and located in south Asia alone, with Africa facing greater challenges due to high social inequality.
A new study reveals that India experiences an average of 239,000 excess female child mortality annually, primarily in rural areas with lower education and socioeconomic development. The researchers argue that addressing gender discrimination is crucial to reducing mortality rates among girls under five.
A new study by Wolfgang Lutz and Endale Kebede found that higher levels of education are associated with longer life expectancy, even after adjusting for income. This challenges the traditional view that rising income is the key to a healthier and longer life.
Research by IIASA researcher Narasimha Rao found that Indian diets can be improved to reduce micronutrient deficiencies while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that adopting a diet rich in coarse cereals, legumes, and green leafy vegetables can boost protein intake and reduce deficiencies.
The study explores the feasibility of achieving a 1.5°C warming limit by 2100 using six integrated assessment models. Successful scenarios require rapid shifts away from fossil fuels, lowered energy use, and CO2 removal. Inequities and poor climate policies hinder achievement.
New research reveals that removing fossil fuel subsidies will only slightly slow the growth of CO2 emissions, with smaller effects in developing economies. The largest emissions savings would come from oil and gas exporting countries, but removal could have a detrimental impact on poor households, who may struggle to afford modern fuels.
Researchers argue that current emissions pathways are insufficient, requiring broader scenarios with rapid decarbonization and careful consideration of negative emissions technologies. The new scenarios aim to address potential environmental and social consequences of large-scale carbon removal.
New research suggests that reducing deforestation and increasing soil carbon sequestration in agriculture can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or improving food security. This approach has the potential to bring benefits for climate change mitigation while minimizing trade-offs with food security.
A new study estimates that excess NOx emissions from diesel cars cause approximately 5,000 premature deaths annually in Europe. Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of these deaths, accounting for around 90% of cases.
A new study across Austria, England, and Romania finds that both public and private schemes can improve risk reduction behaviors and reduce losses in future disasters. The study suggests that insurers and governments need to better coordinate their efforts to design efficient, socially just, and politically feasible solutions.