ISI-MIP is a community-driven modelling effort with the goal of providing cross-sectoral global impact assessments, based on the newly developed climate (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)) and socio-economic (Shared Socio-Economic Pathway (SSP)) scenarios.

Based on common background scenarios (climate and socio-economic), a quantitative estimate of impacts and uncertainties for different sectors and from multiple impact models will be derived. From this, policy-relevant and society-focused metrics will be deducted.

This initiative, coordinated by a team at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research with support from IIASA and backing from the IPCC Working Groups II and III, aims to provide fast-track outcomes for the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Further, it hopes to initiate a longer-term coordinated impact assessment effort driven by the entire impact community.

This ESD special issue is intended to cover research performed within the context of ISI-MIP. Contributing manuscripts may cover modelling studies which use the common ISI-MIP background scenarios to improve our understanding of the impacts and uncertainties associated with projected global change.