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:
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