Decoding climate mitigation modeling studies
Computer-based models are valuable tools for investigating scenarios for aligning near-term actions and policies with long-term goals. Nonexperts who contribute to climate mitigation decision-making need to be able to evaluate these models and recognize that there is no “best” model that answers all policy questions. This issue brief provides guidance to nonexperts on what to look for in reading and evaluating studies that model climate mitigation. It describes seven dimensions to consider when reading modeling studies—primary goals, the scope, the modeling framework, scenarios and data inputs, uncertainty, results, and process aspects—and determine if the studies are transparent about the assumptions and key inputs they use.
