Energy scenarios can considerably influence political decisions. It is therefore of major importance that the results are both comprehensible and verifiable.
However, as calculation models are part of the implementing institutions’ operating capital, they are frequently not disclosed. Also, it is not always clear whether the results are influenced by any provisions by the commissioning institutions. The position paper by the Academies’ Project “Energy Systems of the Future” (ESYS) offers suggestions how transparency can be increased.
It aims both at the commissioning organisations and the scientists creating the scenario studies. In addition, it provides assistance for those who wish to evaluate and use energy scenarios, e.g. journalists, NGOs and the political decision-makers.
acatech/Leopoldina/Akademienunion (Eds.): Consulting with energy scenarios (Series on Science-Based Policy Advice), 2016. ISBN: 978-3-8047-33550-7
