Modelling for Sustainable Development: New decisions for a new age
Key Messages
- The decisions of public and private sector actors must incorporate sustainable development considerations. Doing so, however, requires the ability to model these same considerations, as well as the impacts of a particular policy or project.
- The design and choice of these models is crucial, and must involve a holistic approach that brings together the various actors and interests involved.
- These models must also be able to meet decision-maker's needs and inform decisions that contribute to sustainable development.
Our environmental, economic, and social systems are currently facing a host of challenges, which if left unaddressed will have significant implications for the world in which we live. Tackling these challenges will require better-informed decision-making, which in turn requires models that are designed and developed with sustainable development considerations and objectives in mind. To support this need for better-informed decision making, this book brings together the insights and expertise of a dozen expert modellers and policy analysts, who completed this project on modelling for sustainable development in June 2019 using the "Book Sprints" method. It outlines the different modelling approaches available; describes why model design and development matters for sustainable development; and explains how these models can contribute to decision-making processes.
The book is designed for decision-makers, model commissioners, model developers, model users, and students specializing in modelling and/or the different aspects of sustainable development.
The book’s co-authors include:
- Andrea M. Bassi, Senior Affiliate IISD; Founder & CEO, KnowlEdge Srl; Extraordinary Associate Professor, Stellenbosch University
- Liesbeth Casier, Policy Analyst, IISD
- David Laborde, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
- Max Linsen, Consultant, Adaptation to climate change, IISD
- David Manley, Senior Economic Analyst, Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Nicolas Maennling, Senior Economics and Policy Researcher, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
- Howard Mann, Senior International Law Advisor, IISD
- Morten Siersted, Visiting Research Fellow, CDS, University of Bath; Director, FAST Standard Organisation; Founder & Director, F1F9
- Carin Smaller, Senior Policy Advisor & Team Leader, Agriculture and Investment, IISD
- Iain Steel, Independent Consultant
- David Uzsoki, Senior Advisor in Sustainable Finance, IISD
- Johnny West, Director, OpenOil
A webinar about the book was held on October 21, 2019. The video recording is available for viewing below:
You might also be interested in
The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge
Over-exploitation of natural resources harms the health of ecosystems and the livelihoods and wellbeing of people, but there are fair policy options.
IISD Trade and Sustainability Review, Volume 1, Issue 2, March 2021
This second edition of IISD's Trade and Sustainability Review features analytical pieces and commentaries that focus on a series of transitions in the realm of trade and sustainability development.
Compilation of WTO Notifications on Fisheries Subsidies
This compilation brings together all the information related to subsidies to marine wild capture fisheries contained in World Trade Organization (WTO) members' subsidy notifications.
Achieving a Fossil-Free Recovery
This report lays out concrete options for governments to achieve net-zero and sustainable development goals by using recovery spending to support the transition to clean energy and a resilient, fossil-free economy.