CLIMA - Modelling developments linked to the implementation of mid-century strategies

Different modelling developments linked to the implementation of mid-century strategies occurring at EU, China and Mexican level were reported.

date: 14/10/2019

Researchers at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre are working on improving the global, multi-region, multi-sector Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model JRC-GEM-E3. In their July 2019 article in Energy Economics, they integrate the abatement of non-CO₂ emissions (methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases) into the JRC-GEM-E3 through technology-specific end-of-pipe abatement options. The integration preserves much of the bottom-up information, and hence better captures the costs of non-CO₂ abatement options. Specifically, the new approach better captures the non-linearities of different abatement options/technologies. The application further shows the importance of modelling non-CO₂ emissions explicitly.
The Integrated Policy Assessment Model for China (IPAC) developed by the Chinese Energy Research Institute and used as one of the key tool to evaluate energy and climate change policies in China was recently applied to draft the Guidance on High Quality Growth of Energy, which is expected to be announced by the Chinese government in the coming months.
New quantitative analysis from WRI Mexico identified low-cost policy options (including policies, measures and technologies) for achieving Mexico’s long-term climate goals alongside long-term social benefits. The researchers used the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) developed by Energy Policy Solutions LLC. It is an open-source, peer-reviewed tool available for Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, and the USA. The EPS model estimates the application of different policies that affect energy use and emissions in various sectors of the economy, and includes different policy mechanisms such as carbon tax, fuel economy standards for vehicles, reducing methane industrial leakages, and accelerated technological advances. It is a computer simulated non-equilibrium model, which allows for stock carry-over between periods and gradual changes in parameters without the need to recalculate general parameters for specific sectors. The model is particularly useful for estimating progressive improvements in efficiency.