Difference between revisions of "IMAGE framework"

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{{FrameworkIntroductionTemplate
 
{{FrameworkIntroductionTemplate
|ExternalModel=FUND model; DICE model
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|Overview=Framework overview;
|Description=The Introduction to IMAGE framework consists of a number of pages representing various aspects of the framework.
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|Application=ADVANCE project;
 
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|Model-Database=FUND model; DICE model; ENV-Linkages model;
==Setting the stage==
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|Reference=Zalasiewicz et al., 2010;
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|Description=<h2>Setting the stage</h2>
 
===Background===
 
===Background===
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{{DisplayFigureTemplate|Big Flowchart}}
 
The IMAGE 3.0 framework addresses a set of global environmental issues and sustainability challenges. The most prominent are climate change, land-use change, biodiversity loss, modified nutrient cycles, and water scarcity. These highly complex issues are characterised by long-term dynamics and are either global issues, such as climate change, or manifest in a similar form in many places making them global in character. Typically, these global environmental issues have emerged as human societies have harnessed natural resources to support their development, for instance to provide energy, food, water and shelter.  
 
The IMAGE 3.0 framework addresses a set of global environmental issues and sustainability challenges. The most prominent are climate change, land-use change, biodiversity loss, modified nutrient cycles, and water scarcity. These highly complex issues are characterised by long-term dynamics and are either global issues, such as climate change, or manifest in a similar form in many places making them global in character. Typically, these global environmental issues have emerged as human societies have harnessed natural resources to support their development, for instance to provide energy, food, water and shelter.  
  
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===Integrated environmental assessment===
 
===Integrated environmental assessment===
Integrated assessment models ({{abbrTemplate|IAM}}s) have been developed to describe the key processes in the interaction of human development and the natural environment. IAM methods and tools draw on functional relationships between activities, such as provision of food, water and energy, and the associated impacts. Traditionally, most IAMs focused on climate change and air pollution. More recently, these models have been expanded to assess an increasing number of impacts, such as air and water quality, water scarcity, depletion of non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, phosphorus), and overexploitation of renewable resources (fish stocks, forests). IAMs are designed to provide insight into how driving factors induce a range of impacts, taking into account some of the key feedback and feed-forward mechanisms. To achieve this effectively, IAMs need to be sufficiently detailed to address the problem, yet simple enough to be applicable in assessments, including exploration of uncertainties, and without loss of transparency because of the complex relationships involved (see introduction page [[IMAGE_framework_introduction\Organisational set-up and scientific quality|Organisational set-up and scientific quality).  
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Integrated assessment models ({{abbrTemplate|IAM}}s) have been developed to describe the key processes in the interaction of human development and the natural environment. IAM methods and tools draw on functional relationships between activities, such as provision of food, water and energy, and the associated impacts. Traditionally, most IAMs focused on climate change and air pollution. More recently, these models have been expanded to assess an increasing number of impacts, such as air and water quality, water scarcity, depletion of non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, phosphorus), and overexploitation of renewable resources (fish stocks, forests). IAMs are designed to provide insight into how driving factors induce a range of impacts, taking into account some of the key feedback and feed-forward mechanisms. To achieve this effectively, IAMs need to be sufficiently detailed to address the problem, yet simple enough to be applicable in assessments, including exploration of uncertainties, and without loss of transparency because of the complex relationships involved (see IMAGE framework part: [[IMAGE framework/Organisational set-up and scientific quality|Organisational set-up and scientific quality]]).  
  
 
===Objective and scope of IMAGE===
 
===Objective and scope of IMAGE===
IMAGE is a comprehensive integrated modelling framework of interacting human and natural systems. Its design relies on intermediate complexity modelling, balancing level of detail to capture key processes and behaviour, and allowing for multiple runs to explore aspects of sensitivity and uncertainty of the complex, interlinked systems (see introduction page [[IMAGE_framework_introduction\History of IMAGE|A brief history of IMAGE).  
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IMAGE is a comprehensive integrated modelling framework of interacting human and natural systems. Its design relies on intermediate complexity modelling, balancing level of detail to capture key processes and behaviour, and allowing for multiple runs to explore aspects of sensitivity and uncertainty of the complex, interlinked systems (see IMAGE framework part: [[IMAGE framework/A brief history of IMAGE|A brief history of IMAGE]]).  
  
 
The objectives of IMAGE are as follows:  
 
The objectives of IMAGE are as follows:  
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*How policies and measures prevent unwanted impacts on the global environment and human development.  
 
*How policies and measures prevent unwanted impacts on the global environment and human development.  
  
The baseline scenario is used to assess the magnitude and relevance of global environmental issues and how they relate to human activities. This is important at the beginning of a policy cycle when an environmental issue arises. The scenario can be used to explore how the future might unfold under business-as-usual, and to assess the costs and foregone opportunities of policy inaction, and to study the impacts on the natural environment of a human development pathway with essentially unaltered practices. To some degree, impacts may be taken into account in an endogenous feedback loop by the integrated assessment procedure. For instance, changes in temperature and precipitation resulting from climate change have an effect on agricultural productivity and water availability. Biophysical feedbacks of this type are part of the IMAGE model, see [[Framework_overview|Components]].
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====Baseline Scenario====
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The baseline scenario is used to assess the magnitude and relevance of global environmental issues and how they relate to human activities. This is important at the beginning of a policy cycle when an environmental issue arises. The scenario can be used to explore how the future might unfold under business-as-usual, and to assess the costs and foregone opportunities of policy inaction, and to study the impacts on the natural environment of a human development pathway with essentially unaltered practices. To some degree, impacts may be taken into account in an endogenous feedback loop by the integrated assessment procedure. For instance, changes in temperature and precipitation resulting from climate change have an effect on agricultural productivity and water availability. Biophysical feedbacks of this type are part of the IMAGE model, see [[Framework_overview|framework components]].
  
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====Alternative scenarios====
 
Often, alternative scenarios explore possible solutions to a problem, such as climate change, by assuming societal and policy responses to the impacts projected under baseline conditions. To this end, alternative cases are developed and implemented in model compatible terms to test how the outcomes change. They also reveal synergies and trade-offs between policy issues. For example, with increasing crop yields, less land is required to grow a given amount of crops, and thus loss of natural areas is reduced to the benefit of ecosystems rich in biodiversity. Carbon emissions from land use are also reduced when less land is converted to agriculture, but fertiliser application may increase to sustain the higher yields with emissions to air, groundwater and surface water as a consequence. Furthermore, higher yields may contribute to lower food prices and thus to reducing undernourishment and hunger to the benefit of human health.
 
Often, alternative scenarios explore possible solutions to a problem, such as climate change, by assuming societal and policy responses to the impacts projected under baseline conditions. To this end, alternative cases are developed and implemented in model compatible terms to test how the outcomes change. They also reveal synergies and trade-offs between policy issues. For example, with increasing crop yields, less land is required to grow a given amount of crops, and thus loss of natural areas is reduced to the benefit of ecosystems rich in biodiversity. Carbon emissions from land use are also reduced when less land is converted to agriculture, but fertiliser application may increase to sustain the higher yields with emissions to air, groundwater and surface water as a consequence. Furthermore, higher yields may contribute to lower food prices and thus to reducing undernourishment and hunger to the benefit of human health.
  
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Various types of IAMs have been developed, evolving from different classes of models with a specific disciplinary focus and point of entry. These are discussed briefly in order to identify the position of IMAGE in relation to other IAM models. The common feature of all IAM models is that they all describe a combination of the Human and Earth systems to gain better understanding global environmental problems.  
 
Various types of IAMs have been developed, evolving from different classes of models with a specific disciplinary focus and point of entry. These are discussed briefly in order to identify the position of IMAGE in relation to other IAM models. The common feature of all IAM models is that they all describe a combination of the Human and Earth systems to gain better understanding global environmental problems.  
  
As indicated above, a key trade-off in IAMs is detail versus simplification. Sufficient detail is required to include all relevant processes in both the Human and the Earth system according to state-of-the-art knowledge. Simplicity is needed to ensure sufficient transparency in complex model systems, and to explore uncertainties. For instance, a crop growth model with data input on observed, local climate, soil layers and crop variety parameters may perform well at field scale. However, such a model is less suitable for use in an IAM that requires more generic crop growth representation operating as part of a global scale system. Another limitation to the level of detail captured in IAMs is the lack of consistent and complete datasets with global coverage.
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IMAGE is part of the [[IAMC]], the Integrated Assessment Model Consortium. The [http://themasites.pbl.nl/models/advance/index.php/ADVANCE_wiki IAMC models] website offers an overview of a number of IAMs and their model properties. See the [http://themasites.pbl.nl/models/advance/index.php/Reference_card_-_IMAGE Reference card]] page and the [http://themasites.pbl.nl/models/advance/index.php/Special:RunQuery/Models-AttributesForm Model comparison] page.
While models are developed for different purposes, and thus have limited overlap in scope and detail, in practice many hybrid models are in use. As illustrated in Figure below, IAM models are between models with a primary focus on the Earth system (Earth System Models) and models that focus on the Human system such as pure economic models.
 
{{DisplayFigureLeftOptimalTemplate|Figure1 IFI}}
 
Within the IAM group clearly different model groups exists, and IMAGE is characterised by relatively detailed biophysical processes and a wide range of environmental indicators. IMAGE 3.0 also includes an economic model to represent the agricultural system, and a process model to describe the energy system, but has less detail on economics and policy instruments than other energy models. In terms of application, many models are designed and used for climate policy analysis, such as [[FUND]] and [[DICE]], while other models address a broader range of issues. IMAGE was originally designed to assess the global effect of greenhouse gas emissions and now covers a broad range of environmental and sustainability issues.  
 
  
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====Detail versus simplification====
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As indicated above, a key trade-off in IAMs is detail versus simplification. Sufficient detail is required to include all relevant processes in both the Human and the Earth system according to state-of-the-art knowledge. Simplicity is needed to ensure sufficient transparency in complex model systems, and to explore uncertainties. For instance, a crop growth model with data input on observed, local climate, soil layers and crop variety parameters may perform well at field scale. However, such a model is less suitable for use in an IAM that requires more generic crop growth representation operating as part of a global scale system.
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Another limitation to the level of detail captured in IAMs is the lack of consistent and complete datasets with global coverage.
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While models are developed for different purposes, and thus have limited overlap in scope and detail, in practice many hybrid models are in use. As illustrated in the figure below, IAM models are between models with a primary focus on the Earth system (Earth System Models) and models that focus on the Human system such as pure economic models.
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{{DisplayFigureLeftOptimalTemplate|Figure1 IMAGE framework introduction}}
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Within the IAM group clearly different model groups exists, and IMAGE is characterised by relatively detailed biophysical processes and a wide range of environmental indicators. IMAGE 3.0 also includes an economic model to represent the agricultural system, and a process model to describe the energy system, but has less detail on economics and policy instruments than other energy models. In terms of application, many models are designed and used for climate policy analysis, such as [[FUND model|FUND]] and [[DICE model|DICE]], while other models address a broader range of issues. IMAGE was originally designed to assess the global effect of greenhouse gas emissions and now covers a broad range of environmental and sustainability issues.
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====Model history====
 
Another reason for differences between IAM models is their history. Many have evolved from technical process models of energy systems to cover environmental issues, such as air pollution and more frequently also climatic change. Technical process models describe the physical flows of energy from primary resources through conversion processes, and transport and distribution networks to meet specific demands for energy carriers or energy services. The costs associated with the various components are tracked, and relative costs of competing technologies and supply chains determine market share. In fact, one example embedded in the IMAGE framework is the TIMER energy model (Component [[Energy supply and demand]]).
 
Another reason for differences between IAM models is their history. Many have evolved from technical process models of energy systems to cover environmental issues, such as air pollution and more frequently also climatic change. Technical process models describe the physical flows of energy from primary resources through conversion processes, and transport and distribution networks to meet specific demands for energy carriers or energy services. The costs associated with the various components are tracked, and relative costs of competing technologies and supply chains determine market share. In fact, one example embedded in the IMAGE framework is the TIMER energy model (Component [[Energy supply and demand]]).
  
Other IAMs have their roots in economics and have evolved from models assessing the production of economic outputs to contribute to consumer utility by allocating input factors, such as capital, labour and increasingly also energy, materials and natural resources. Substitution between sectors, inputs and commodities produced depends on their relative prices, taking into account policy interventions, such as taxes and subsidies, import regulations and other market and non-market instruments. Economic models include the OECD model ENV-Linkages and the model MAGNET. The latter has been integrated into IMAGE 3.0 (see Component [[Agricultural economy and forestry]]).
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Other IAMs have their roots in economics and have evolved from models assessing the production of economic outputs to contribute to consumer utility by allocating input factors, such as capital, labour and increasingly also energy, materials and natural resources. Substitution between sectors, inputs and commodities produced depends on their relative prices, taking into account policy interventions, such as taxes and subsidies, import regulations and other market and non-market instruments. Economic models include the OECD model [[ENV-Linkages model| ENV-Linkages]] and the model [[MAGNET model]]. The latter has been integrated into IMAGE 3.0 (see Component [[Agricultural economy]]).
  
 
While economic models account for consistency between economic sectors, these models tend to treat the economy in terms of material flows, biochemical, physical and ecological processes in a stylised way, which limits their capacity to capture feedback mechanisms of the natural system.
 
While economic models account for consistency between economic sectors, these models tend to treat the economy in terms of material flows, biochemical, physical and ecological processes in a stylised way, which limits their capacity to capture feedback mechanisms of the natural system.
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====Geographic detail====
  
 
Finally, IAMs can also be distinguished by the level of geographic detail in land-based activities. To address geographical distribution of bio-geochemical and bio-geophysical processes in conjunction with human development, the IMAGE framework has been developed with a high level of geographic detail. IMAGE provides a relatively high level of detail on land-based processes, such as water, carbon and nutrient cycles, and derived indicators for biodiversity loss and flood risks, also in temporal and spatial resolution.
 
Finally, IAMs can also be distinguished by the level of geographic detail in land-based activities. To address geographical distribution of bio-geochemical and bio-geophysical processes in conjunction with human development, the IMAGE framework has been developed with a high level of geographic detail. IMAGE provides a relatively high level of detail on land-based processes, such as water, carbon and nutrient cycles, and derived indicators for biodiversity loss and flood risks, also in temporal and spatial resolution.
 
 
|ComponentCode=IFI
 
|ComponentCode=IFI
|alt=IMAGE framework scheme
 
|link=An overview of the IMAGE framework and its components
 
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 14:09, 11 July 2017