Assessment objectives

To provide policy-relevant analysis and guidance to governments and intergovernmental organizations, decision-support material to the commercial sector (energy service companies, investors and others), and analysis relevant to academic institutions.

Major transformations are required if future energy systems are to be affordable, safe, secure and environmentally sound. The Global Energy Assessment (GEA) goals address the following challenges:

• Providing clean and affordable energy services for all;
• Increasing energy security for all nations, regions and communities;
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels;
• Reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution from fuel combustion and its adverse impacts on human health; and
• Reducing the adverse and ancillary risks associated with energy systems.

Mandate for the assessment

Global concerns have steadily increased about climate change, energy security and energy poverty. Decision makers do not have access to reliable, comprehensive and integrated information on these major energy issues. While other authoritative publications on different aspects of energy are available, they have not adequately addressed energy challenges in an integrated manner. Given the inter-linkages between energy and many major economic, commercial and social activities, a lack of integrated and comprehensive decision-support material on energy increases the likelihood of sub-optimal policy and investment choices that will increase the exposure of critical social and economic development activities to the impacts of among others: energy supply disruptions; continuing energy disparities and poverty; worsening of environmental and human health; and insufficient technological development.

Given this need, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nationsl Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the World Energy Council (WEC), identified the need for more integrated analysis that could account for the full range of activities, opportunities and threats linked with energy systems, including region-specific challenges. Thus, this integrative approach represents a critical and unique element of the Global Energy Assessment, that provides the stronger interdisciplinary policy orientation required for better decision making and capacity-building.

This approach allows the GEA to provide a basis for policy formulation that recognizes the main issues and competing requirements across all areas of economic and social development, environmental protection an security; with a sufficient level of regional focus and detail to provide relevant support for a wide range of decision-makers.

Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment

http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/researchPrograms/Energy/GEA_KF.pdf

URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted

http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/researchPrograms/Energy/GEA_KF.pdf

System(s) assessed

• Forest and woodland
• Cultivated/Agricultural land
• Urban

Species groups assessed

Provisioning

• Food
• Water
• Timber/fibres
• Energy/fuel

Regulating

• Air quality
• Climate regulation
• Waste treatment
• Erosion prevention

Supporting Services/Functions

• Primary production

Cultural Services

• Recreation and tourism

Drivers of change in systems and services

Yes

Impacts of change in services on human well-being

Yes

Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed

Yes

Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment

Yes

Year assessment started

2007

Year assessment finished

2012

If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish

Periodicity of assessment

One off

Website(s)

Assessment Website: www.globalenergyassessment.org

Online Pathway Scenarios Database: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web-apps/ene/geadb/dsd?Action=htmlpage&page=welcome

Report(s)

The full Global Energy Assessment, including supplementary materials, is available for download from: www.globalenergyassessment.org

Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)

Global Energy Assessment Poster
GEA_Poster.pdf

Journal publications

Training materials

Other documents/outputs

Tools and approaches used in the assessment

• Modelling
• Trade-off analysis
• Geospatial analysis
• Indicators
• Scenarios
• Economic valuation
• Social (non-monetary) valuation

Banerjee, R., Y. Cong, D. Gielen, G. Jannuzzi, F. Maréchal, A. T. McKane, M. A. Rosen, D. van Es and E. Worrell, 2012: Chapter 8 - Energy End Use: Industry. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 513-574.
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Benson, S. M., K. Bennaceur, P. Cook, J. Davison, H. de Coninck, K. Farhat, A. Ramirez, D. Simbeck, T. Surles, P. Verma and I. Wright, 2012: Chapter 13 - Carbon Capture and Storage. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 993-1068.
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Bouille, D. H., H. Altomonte, D. F. Barnes, T. Dafrallah, H. Gao, H. Pistonesi, R. M. Shrestha and E. Visagie, 2012: Chapter 23 - Policies for Energy Access. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1603-1664.
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Cherp, A., A. Adenikinju, A. Goldthau, F. Hernandez, L. Hughes, J. Jansen, J. Jewell, M. Olshanskaya, R. Soares de Oliveira, B. Sovacool and S. Vakulenko, 2012: Chapter 5 - Energy and Security. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 325-384.
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Coelho, S. T., O. Agbenyega, A. Agostini, K.-H. Erb, H. Haberl, M. Hoogwijk, R. Lal, O. Lucon, O. Masera and J. R. Moreira, 2012: Chapter 20 - Land and Water: Linkages to Bioenergy. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1459-1526.
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Emberson, L., K. He, J. Rockström, M. Amann, J. Barron, R. Corell, S. Feresu, R. Haeuber, K. Hicks, F. X. Johnson, A. Karlqvist, Z. Klimont, I. Mylvakanam, W. W. Song, H. Vallack and Z. Qiang, 2012: Chapter 3 - Energy and Environment. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 191-254.
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GEA, 2012: Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria.
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Grubler, A., F. Aguayo, K. Gallagher, M. Hekkert, K. Jiang, L. Mytelka, L. Neij, G. Nemet and C. Wilson, 2012: Chapter 24 - Policies for the Energy Technology Innovation System (ETIS). In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1665-1744.
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Grubler, A., T. B. Johansson, L. Mundaca, N. Nakicenovic, S. Pachauri, K. Riahi, H.-H. Rogner and L. Strupeit, 2012: Chapter 1 - Energy Primer. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 99-150.
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Grubler, A., X. Bai, T. Buettner, S. Dhakal, D. J. Fisk, T. Ichinose, J. E. Keirstead, G. Sammer, D. Satterthwaite, N. B. Schulz, N. Shah, J. Steinberger and H. Weisz, 2012: Chapter 18 - Urban Energy Systems. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1307-1400.
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Jaccard, M., L. Agbenmabiese, C. Azar, A. de Oliveira, C. Fischer, B. Fisher, A. Hughes, M. Ohadi, Y. Kenji and X. Zhang, 2012: Chapter 22 - Policies for Energy System Transformations: Objectives and Instruments. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1549-1602.
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Kahn Ribeiro, S., M. J. Figueroa, F. Creutzig, C. Dubeux, J. Hupe and S. Kobayashi, 2012: Chapter 9 - Energy End-Use: Transport. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 575-648.
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Karekezi, S., S. McDade, B. Boardman and J. Kimani, 2012: Chapter 2 - Energy, Poverty and Development. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 151-190.
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Larson, E. D., Z. Li and R. H. Williams, 2012: Chapter 12 - Fossil Energy. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 901-992.
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Mytelka, L., F. Aguayo, G. Boyle, S. Breukers, G. de Scheemaker, I. Abdel Gelil, R. Kemp, J. Monkelbaan, C. Rossini, J. Watson and R. Wolson, 2012: Chapter 25 - Policies for Capacity Development. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1745-1802.
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Pachauri, S., A. Brew-Hammond, D. F. Barnes, D. H. Bouille, S. Gitonga, V. Modi, G. Prasad, A. Rath and H. Zerrifi, 2012: Chapter 19 - Energy Access for Development. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1401-1458.
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Patwardhan, A., I. Azevedo, T. Foran, M. Patankar, A. Rao, R. Raven, C. Samaras, A. Smith, G. Verbong and R. Walawalkar, 2012: Chapter 16 - Transitions in Energy Systems. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1173-1202.
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Riahi, K., F. Dentener, D. Gielen, A. Grubler, J. Jewell, Z. Klimont, V. Krey, D. McCollum, S. Pachauri, S. Rao, B. van Ruijven, D. P. van Vuuren and C. Wilson, 2012: Chapter 17 - Energy Pathways for Sustainable Development. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1203-1306.
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Rogner, H.-H., R. F. Aguilera, R. Bertani, S. C. Bhattacharya, M. B. Dusseault, L. Gagnon, H. Haberl, M. Hoogwijk, A. Johnson, M. L. Rogner, H. Wagner and V. Yakushev, 2012: Chapter 7 - Energy Resources and Potentials. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 423-512.
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Roy, J., A.-M. Dowd, A. Muller, S. Pal and N. Prata, 2012: Chapter 21 - Lifestyles, Well-Being and Energy. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1527-1548.
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Schock, R. N., R. Sims, S. Bull, H. Larsen, V. Likhachev, K. Nagano, H. Nilsson, S. Vuori, K. Yeager and L. Zhou, 2012: Chapter 15 - Energy Supply Systems. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1131-1172.
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Smith, K. R., K. Balakrishnan, C. Butler, Z. Chafe, I. Fairlie, P. Kinney, T. Kjellstrom, D. L. Mauzerall, T. McKone, A. McMichael and M. Scheider, 2012: Chapter 4 - Energy and Health. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 255-324.
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Turkenburg, W. C., D. J. Arent, R. Bertani, A. Faaij, M. Hand, W. Krewitt, E. D. Larson, J. Lund, M. Mehos, T. Merrigan, C. Mitchell, J. R. Moreira, W. Sinke, V. Sonntag-O’Brien, B. Thresher, W. van Sark, E. Usher and E. Usher, 2012: Chapter 11 - Renewable Energy. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 761-900.
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Ürge-Vorsatz, D., N. Eyre, P. Graham, D. Harvey, E. Hertwich, Y. Jiang, C. Kornevall, M. Majumdar, J. E. McMahon, S. Mirasgedis, S. Murakami and A. Novikova, 2012: Chapter 10 - Energy End-Use: Building. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 649-760.
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von Hippel, F., M. Bunn, A. Diakov, M. Ding, R. Goldston, T. Katsuta, M. V. Ramana, T. Suzuki and Y. Suyuan, 2012: Chapter 14 - Nuclear Energy. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 1069-1130.
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Yeager, K., F. Dayo, B. Fisher, R. Fouquet, A. Gilau and H.-H. Rogner, 2012: Chapter 6 - Energy and Economy. In Global Energy Assessment - Toward a Sustainable Future, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria, pp. 385-422.
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Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component

Key stakeholder groups engaged

Austrian Development Agency Climateworks Foundation Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit First Solar Inc. Global Environment Facility Global Environment and Technology Foundation Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis Petrobras Research Council of Norway Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning/ Swedish Energy Agency United Nations Development Programme United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Foundation United Nations Industrial Development Organisation United States Department of Energy United States Environmental Protection Agency World Bank/ESMAP World Energy Council

The number of people directly involved in the assessment process

100-1000

Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge

• Scientific information only
• Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)

Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment

Assessment reports peer reviewed

Yes

Accessibility of data used in assessment

GEA Pathways Scenarios Database (Chapter 17, Riahi et al, 2012): http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web-apps/ene/geadb/dsd?Action=htmlpage&page=welcome

Urban Energy System Database (Chapter 18, Grubler et al., 2012): http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/researchPrograms/Energy/KM18_City_energy_DB.xls

Policies for the Energy Technology Information System Case Studies (Chapter 24, Grubler et al., 2012): http://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/research/researchPrograms/TransitionstoNewTechnologies/CaseStudy_home.en.html

Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions

The Global Energy Assessment laid the foundations for the three objectives set out in the UN Secretary General's Sustainable Energy for All Initiative. (http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/)

Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment

No

Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews

Capacity building needs identified during the assessment

Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity

Network and sharing experiences, Sharing of data/repatriation of data, Workshops, Developing/promoting and providing access to support tools, Communication and awareness raising

How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders

Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment

How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders