Comparing Integrated Assessment Models

The following chart is adapted from H. Dowlatabadi, Integrated Assessment Models of Climate Change: An Incomplete Overview, IIASA, 1994.

A Brief Characterization of Integrated Assessment Models
Model Name Optimization/ Simulation Spatial Character Temporal Character Decision Variables Comments
Cost Effectiveness Framing

DGEM Simulation US with a Rest Of World sector 1985-2050/ 1 yr steps abatement Inter-temporal general equilibrium model of economy with 35 production sectors, 5 energy supply sectors, & 672 households.^15-17
Edmonds Reilly Barns Simulation 9 world regions 1975-2095/ 15 yr steps abatement Regional energy economies that trade fossil fuels.^{18, 19}
Gemini Simulation US 1990-2030/ 5 yr steps abatement Inter-temporal general equilibrium of energy markets with 19 economic activity sectors.
Global 2100 Optimization 5 world regions 1990-2100/ 10 yr steps abatement Five regional energy economies with inter-regional trade in oil.²⁰
Markal Optimization US 1990-2030/ 5 yr steps abatement Liner programming model, rich in end-use and supply technologies.
OECD - Green Simulation 8 world regions 1985-2020/ 5yr steps abatement Inter-temporal general equilibrium with 8 production sectors, 4 consumption categories.
Cost - Impact Framing

Hammitt et al. Optimization Global and 2 region models 2 periods with 10 year time interval abatement & temperature change A two-stage decision model with resolution of uncertainty at second decision point.²¹
IMAGE Simulation Impacts for The Netherlands 1900-2100/ 0.5 yr steps abatement & physical impacts Emissions from Edmonds Reilly, followed by biogeochemistry, climate, sea level and impact modules.⁸
MBIS Simulation Mackenzie Basin, Canada 1970-2050/ 10 yr steps abatement & impacts Detailed regional impacts market and non-market impacts estimated.

(continued) A Brief Characterization of Integrated Assessment Models
Model Name Optimization /Simulation Spatial Character Temporal Character Decision Variables Comments
Cost - Benefit Framing

CETA Optimization Global/ 2 region 2200/ 10 yr steps abatement Costs and precursors based on the Global 2100 model. Benefits based on DICE.
DICE Optimization Global 1965-2105/ 10 yr steps abatement Full integration of economic activities and impacts of climate change.^{22, 23}
ICAM-1 & ICAM-2 Simulation Global/ 2 region, 7 region 1975-2100/ 5/25 yr steps abatement, adaptation, geo-eng. Probabilistic formulation, integration of economy and damages, market and non-market damages ecosystem impacts, sea level rise and its impacts.^{24, 25}
PAGE Simulation Global/ 2 region 1990-2100/ 5-25 yr steps abatement, adaptation. Probabilistic, Multi-attribute Utility functions to display subjectivity.¹²
TARGETS Simulation Global/ 2 region 1900-2100, 1 yr steps abatement, adaptation A model of global change & sustainable development, incorporating ozone depletion, soil erosion, emissions of hazardous material.²⁶
AIM Simulation Pacific Rim/ 3500 countries 1990-2100/ 5 yr steps abatement and R&D subsidies A detailed model of climate change impacts incorporating watersheds and other physical systems.
IMAGE 2.1 Simulation Global / 13 regions 2100/ 1 yr steps abatement in energy & agricultural sectors A detailed model of the globe with endogenous climate, agriculture, and ecosystem responses.²⁷
MERGE 2.0 Optimization Global / 5 regions 1990-2250/ 10 & 25 yr steps abatement A decision-analytic framework with detail in electricity and other energy technologies.²⁸
ProCAM/ miniCAM Simulation Global/ 11,16 regions 1990-2200/ 1, 5, 15 yr steps abatement, adaptation, geo-eng. The ProCAM model has detailed economic activity, agriculture, ecology, and hydrology modules. MiniCAM is a reduced form version.
PEF Simulation Global/ 12 regions 1990-2100/ 5 yr steps abatement, adaptation A decision-analytic framework evaluating the outcome of different branches of decision trees.

A Brief Characterization of Integrated Assessment Models
Model Name	Optimization/ Simulation	Spatial Character	Temporal Character	Decision Variables	Comments
Cost Effectiveness Framing
DGEM	Simulation	US with a Rest Of World sector	1985-2050/ 1 yr steps	abatement	Inter-temporal general equilibrium model of economy with 35 production sectors, 5 energy supply sectors, & 672 households.^15-17
Edmonds Reilly Barns	Simulation	9 world regions	1975-2095/ 15 yr steps	abatement	Regional energy economies that trade fossil fuels.^{18, 19}
Gemini	Simulation	US	1990-2030/ 5 yr steps	abatement	Inter-temporal general equilibrium of energy markets with 19 economic activity sectors.
Global 2100	Optimization	5 world regions	1990-2100/ 10 yr steps	abatement	Five regional energy economies with inter-regional trade in oil.²⁰
Markal	Optimization	US	1990-2030/ 5 yr steps	abatement	Liner programming model, rich in end-use and supply technologies.
OECD - Green	Simulation	8 world regions	1985-2020/ 5yr steps	abatement	Inter-temporal general equilibrium with 8 production sectors, 4 consumption categories.
Cost - Impact Framing
Hammitt et al.	Optimization	Global and 2 region models	2 periods with 10 year time interval	abatement & temperature change	A two-stage decision model with resolution of uncertainty at second decision point.²¹
IMAGE	Simulation	Impacts for The Netherlands	1900-2100/ 0.5 yr steps	abatement & physical impacts	Emissions from Edmonds Reilly, followed by biogeochemistry, climate, sea level and impact modules.⁸
MBIS	Simulation	Mackenzie Basin, Canada	1970-2050/ 10 yr steps	abatement & impacts	Detailed regional impacts market and non-market impacts estimated.

(continued) A Brief Characterization of Integrated Assessment Models
Model Name	Optimization /Simulation	Spatial Character	Temporal Character	Decision Variables	Comments
Cost - Benefit Framing
CETA	Optimization	Global/ 2 region	2200/ 10 yr steps	abatement	Costs and precursors based on the Global 2100 model. Benefits based on DICE.
DICE	Optimization	Global	1965-2105/ 10 yr steps	abatement	Full integration of economic activities and impacts of climate change.^{22, 23}
ICAM-1 & ICAM-2	Simulation	Global/ 2 region, 7 region	1975-2100/ 5/25 yr steps	abatement, adaptation, geo-eng.	Probabilistic formulation, integration of economy and damages, market and non-market damages ecosystem impacts, sea level rise and its impacts.^{24, 25}
PAGE	Simulation	Global/ 2 region	1990-2100/ 5-25 yr steps	abatement, adaptation.	Probabilistic, Multi-attribute Utility functions to display subjectivity.¹²
TARGETS	Simulation	Global/ 2 region	1900-2100, 1 yr steps	abatement, adaptation	A model of global change & sustainable development, incorporating ozone depletion, soil erosion, emissions of hazardous material.²⁶
AIM	Simulation	Pacific Rim/ 3500 countries	1990-2100/ 5 yr steps	abatement and R&D subsidies	A detailed model of climate change impacts incorporating watersheds and other physical systems.
IMAGE 2.1	Simulation	Global / 13 regions	2100/ 1 yr steps	abatement in energy & agricultural sectors	A detailed model of the globe with endogenous climate, agriculture, and ecosystem responses.²⁷
MERGE 2.0	Optimization	Global / 5 regions	1990-2250/ 10 & 25 yr steps	abatement	A decision-analytic framework with detail in electricity and other energy technologies.²⁸
ProCAM/ miniCAM	Simulation	Global/ 11,16 regions	1990-2200/ 1, 5, 15 yr steps	abatement, adaptation, geo-eng.	The ProCAM model has detailed economic activity, agriculture, ecology, and hydrology modules. MiniCAM is a reduced form version.
PEF	Simulation	Global/ 12 regions	1990-2100/ 5 yr steps	abatement, adaptation	A decision-analytic framework evaluating the outcome of different branches of decision trees.

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