Data Synthesis
Reflecting on your own assumptions about data comparability and model integration is essential because these assumptions shape how you interpret differences across studies. The data synthesis tool aims to facilitate transparent and consistent comparison, but its value depends on how consciously users recognise their own analytical choices, and expectations about what counts as “harmonised” or “comparable.”
What you will achieve with this tool?
Create global model-based scenarios that can be more easily compared across multiple studies.
Explore how to take action
Remember, this is an inspiration guide (not a recipe) to help you decide what will be most transformative for your context. Every context is unique!
Which power dynamics might hinder local communities from caring for ecosystems?
The data synthesis tool supports a shared foundation for comparing and connecting global model-based scenarios. By using it, you help strengthen collective understanding of how different models, assumptions, and pathways align, and where they diverge. At the same time, be mindful: synthesis can clarify patterns, but it may also obscure diversity or reinforce prevailing narratives if applied without reflection.
References
•Neumann, C., Alkemade, R., Van Vuuren, D., Burian, A., Aschi, F. and Seppelt, R. 2025. Trade-offs and synergies between climate change mitigation and biodiversity restoration: A meta-analysis of global intervention scenarios [Manuscript submitted for publication].
• Purvis, A. 2025. Bending the curve of biodiversity loss requires a ‘satnav’ for nature. - Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 380: 20230210. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0210 • Van Vuuren, D. P., Zimm, C., Busch, S., Kriegler, E., Leininger, J., Messner, D., Nakicenovic, N., Rockstrom, J., Riahi, K., Sperling, F., Bosetti, V., Cornell, S., Gaffney, O., Lucas, P. L., Popp, A., Ruhe, C., Von Schiller, A., Schmidt, J. O. and Soergel, B. 2022. Defining a sustainable development target space for 2030 and 2050. - One Earth 5: 142–156. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2022.01.003
•IPBES 2019. Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. - IPBES. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.3831673;
• Calvin, K., Dasgupta, D., Krinner, G., Mukherji, A., Péan, C., et al. 2023. IPCC, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland. doi: 10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647
• IPBES 2016. The methodological assessment report on scenarios and models of biodiversity and ecosystem services. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.3235429 • Riahi, K., Van Vuuren, D., Kriegler, E., Calvin, K., Fujimori, S. and Emmerling, J. 2015. Integrated Assessment Modeling of Shared Socio Economic Pathways - Study protocol for IAM runs. url: https://tntcat.iiasa.ac.at/SspWorkDb/download/iam_scenario_doc/SSP_Study_Protocol.pdf
• Popp, A., Calvin, K., Fujimori, S., Havlik, P., Humpenöder, F., Stehfest, E., Bodirsky, B. L., Dietrich, J. P., Doelmann, J. C., Gusti, M., Hasegawa, T., Kyle, P., Obersteiner, M., Tabeau, A., Takahashi, K., Valin, H., Waldhoff, S., Weindl, I., Wise, M., Kriegler, E., Lotze-Campen, H., Fricko, O., Riahi, K. and Vuuren, D. P. V. 2017. Land-use futures in the shared socio-economic pathways. - Global Environmental Change 42: 331–345. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.10.002
• O’Neill, B. C., Tebaldi, C., Van Vuuren, D. P., Eyring, V., Friedlingstein, P., Hurtt, G., Knutti, R., Kriegler, E., Lamarque, J.-F., Lowe, J., Meehl, G. A., Moss, R., Riahi, K. and Sanderson, B. M. 2016. The Scenario Model Intercomparison Project (ScenarioMIP) for CMIP6. - Geosci. Model Dev. 9: 3461–3482. doi: 10.5194/gmd-9-3461-2016