IMAGE framework summary/Description: Difference between revisions
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===Human activities in relation to environmental change: the energy and land use system === | ===Human activities in relation to environmental change: the energy and land use system === | ||
Two key areas of human activity play a key role in many environmental and sustainable development issues: | Two key areas of human activity play a key role in many environmental and sustainable development issues: | ||
# energy use and supply ([[Energy supply and demand]]) | |||
# food consumption and supply ([[Agriculture and land use]]). | |||
Hence, in the IMAGE model, these human activities are the centers of attention. | |||
====Energy supply and demand==== | ====Energy supply and demand==== | ||
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====Emissions==== | ====Emissions==== | ||
Emissions are described in IMAGE as a function of activity levels in the energy system, in industry, in agriculture, and of the assumed abatement actions ([[Emissions]]). The model describes the emissions of all major greenhouse gases, and many air pollutants (calibrated to current international emission inventories). In some cases, the calculation of emissions is done using detailed process representation (e.g. emissions from cultivated land and land-cover change) but, in most cases, exogenous emission factors are used. The development of emission factors over time has been estimated based on relevant hypothesis, sometimes assuming constant emission factors, but often assuming that emission factors decrease over time along with economic development (consistent with the so-called environmental Kuznets curve). Emissions factors of greenhouse gases reflect estimates per region, sector and gas from the FAIR model ([[Climate policy]]). | Emissions are described in IMAGE as a function of activity levels in the energy system, in industry, in agriculture, and of the assumed abatement actions ([[Emissions]]). The model describes the emissions of all major greenhouse gases, and many air pollutants (calibrated to current international emission inventories). In some cases, the calculation of emissions is done using detailed process representation (e.g. emissions from cultivated land and land-cover change) but, in most cases, exogenous emission factors are used. The development of emission factors over time has been estimated based on relevant hypothesis, sometimes assuming constant emission factors, but often assuming that emission factors decrease over time along with economic development (consistent with the so-called environmental Kuznets curve). Emissions factors of greenhouse gases reflect estimates per region, sector and gas from the [[FAIR model]] ([[Climate policy]]). | ||
In the Rio+20 baseline, increasing energy and agricultural production levels lead to an increase of associated greenhouse gas emissions. For air pollutants, the emission trends are more diverse: a decrease is projected in high-income countries, as emission factors drop faster than activity levels increase). In most developing country regions, however, increasing energy production is projected to be associated with more air pollution. The model can also be used to design scenarios that are consistent with different climate targets. For reaching the 2oC target, global [[GHG]] emissions would need to be reduced by around 50% in 2050. | In the Rio+20 baseline, increasing energy and agricultural production levels lead to an increase of associated greenhouse gas emissions. For air pollutants, the emission trends are more diverse: a decrease is projected in high-income countries, as emission factors drop faster than activity levels increase). In most developing country regions, however, increasing energy production is projected to be associated with more air pollution. The model can also be used to design scenarios that are consistent with different climate targets. For reaching the 2oC target, global [[GHG]] emissions would need to be reduced by around 50% in 2050. | ||
Revision as of 13:06, 11 December 2013
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