IMAGE framework: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Oostenrijr (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
Oostenrijr (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
===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 framework | 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 framework | 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_introduction/A_brief_history_of_IMAGE|A brief history of IMAGE]]). | ||
The objectives of IMAGE are as follows: | The objectives of IMAGE are as follows: | ||
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
Another limitation to the level of detail captured in IAMs is the lack of consistent and complete datasets with global coverage. | Another limitation to the level of detail captured in IAMs is the lack of consistent and complete datasets with global coverage. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
{{DisplayFigureLeftOptimalTemplate|Figure1 IMAGE framework | {{DisplayFigureLeftOptimalTemplate|Figure1 IMAGE framework}} | ||
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 08:40, 23 September 2015
| Projects/Applications |
| Models/Databases |
| Relevant overviews |
| References |