The effects of global warming and the social transformation towards climate neutrality are an urgent challenge. In the second Austrian Assessment Report on Climate Change (AAR2), around 150 scientists analyse the existing state of knowledge in order to support an evidence-based discussion on options for action and possible trade-offs between different transformation paths. We follow the methods and processes of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to ensure both the scientific quality and social relevance of the report.

In addition to coordinating the AAR2, I lead a team at IIASA that develops interactive web tools and software packages for processing and visualising model-based socio-economic scenarios. This work follows the principles of “Open Science” and improves the transparency, traceability and reproducibility of scientific studies on the reduction of our CO2 emissions and on adaptation options to global warming.

I am convinced that the transformation to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society offers many opportunities to improve our quality of life and strengthen the social balance – both globally and in Austria. It is the responsibility of scientists to accompany the necessary discussion process: on the one hand through scientific studies, but also through active participation in this discussion and by presenting our knowledge in a way that is understandable to the general public.

Daniel Huppmann is a Senior Research Scholar at IIASA (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis) and co-author of the 2018 World Climate Report. As a trained mathematician and economist, Huppmann not only makes important contributions in the field of climate research, but is particularly dedicated to convincingly communicating the sobering findings. By refraining from alarmism, his messages gain particular urgency.