This User Support System (USS) was developed as a tool to let the user explore certain features of the IMAGE 2.2. model, as developed by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. Specifically, it allows the user to explore the implementation of the IPCC-SRES scenarios (A1B, A1T, A1F, A2, B1 and B2) with the IMAGE 2.2 model for the 1995-2100 period. In contrast to the original SRES scenarios, the scenarios on this USS do not focus solely on emissions but also describe the possible environmental impacts of these scenarios.
The scenarios can be visualized, analyzed and compared with the IMAGE 2.2 User Support System (USS). Hence, the user cannot run the IMAGE 2.2 model. Documentation is provided on all the IMAGE submodels, scenario assumptions and indicators.
Navigating through the USS is described in the "How To" section
The scenarios presented in this do not reflect the uncertainties in the climate system. Some of the major uncertainties in the causal chain of climate change center on the climate sensitivity and regional climate-change patterns. The scenarios are based on one value for the climate sensitivity (the median of the IPCC (2001) range), and on one default GCM run (HADCM2). To illustrate uncertainties in climate sensitivity and climate-change patterns, additional runs with changed climate sensitivity for the A1F and B1 scenarios are included (A1F low, A1F high, B1 low, B1 high). These scenarios span the full range of emissions of the SRES scenarios and therefore adequately illustrate the uncertainty of different climate sensitivities.
Note that this is not the most recent version of the IMAGE model. Current analysis is carried out with the help of IMAGE 2.4.(Bouwman et al., 2006). Notable differences with version 2.2, as well as further information on IMAGE 2.4 can be obtained from the IMAGE model website.
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The Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment (IMAGE) is a dynamic integrated assessment modelling framework for global change. The main objectives of IMAGE are to contribute to scientific understanding and support decision-making by quantifying the relative importance of major processes and interactions in the society-biosphere-climate system. To accomplish this, IMAGE provides:
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In the IMAGE 2.2 framework the general equilibrium economy model, WorldScan, and the population model, PHOENIX, feed the basic information on economic and demographic developments for 17 world regions into three linked subsystems:
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Historical data for the 1765-1995 period are used to initialise the carbon cycle and climate system. IMAGE 2.2 simulations cover the 1970-2100 period. Data for 1970-1995 are used to calibrate EIS and TES. Simulations up to the year 2100 are made on the basis of scenario assumptions on, for example, demography, food and energy consumption and technology and trade. Although IMAGE 2.2 is global in application, it performs many of its calculations either on a high-resolution terrestrial 0.5 by 0.5 degree grid (land use and land cover) or for 17 world regions (energy, trade and emissions).
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The IMAGE 2.1 model was published on CD-ROM in 1998 (Leemans et al., 1998); IMAGE 2.1 was documented in several scientific papers. Apart from numerous major and minor modifications, the main new elements of IMAGE 2.2 include the following:
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