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Joint Research Center (JRC)
GAINS

Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS)-Model

Climate and air qualityAir Pollutionclimate changeemissionsair pollutant emissions

Quality & Transparency

Quality

Model uncertainties

Models are by definition affected by uncertainties (in input data, input parameters, scenario definitions, etc.). Have the model uncertainties been quantified? Are uncertainties accounted for in your simulations?

yes
Uncertainty is in GAINS handled through: - The use of alternative activity data scenarios reflecting a range of macroeconomic, energy and agricultural sector developments - Extension of sector/technology model resolution to reflect policy relevant implications of e.g., scale, urban/rural differences, etc. on emission factors and costs - Consideration of a wealth of country-specific factors and circumstances in the derivation of emission factors, cost parameters, and emission control strategies.

    Sensitivity analysis

    Sensitivity analysis helps identifying the uncertain inputs mostly responsible for the uncertainty in the model responses. Has the model undergone sensitivity analysis?

    yes
    Sensitivity analyses are frequently performed on GAINS model results on a case-by-case basis, e.g., by the use of alternative activity data scenarios or by using ranges for emission factors and costs in simulations.

      Have model results been published in peer-reviewed articles?

      yes
      GAINS model results have been presented in numerous peer-reviewed publications.

      Has the model formally undergone scientific review by a panel of international experts?

      Please note that this does not refer to the cases when model results were validated by stakeholders.

      yes
      GAINS has been evaluated by an external expert panel on a few occasions as part of regular IIASA program reviews.

      Model validation

      Has model validation been done? Have model predictions been confronted with observed data (ex-post)?

      yes
      Modelled ambient PM concentrations at (urban or rural) background level have been validated against observations, see Kiesewetter et al (2015a,b) and Amann et al., 2020. GAINS bottom-up emission inventory for global methane emissions evaluated against top-down atmospheric measurements of CH4 concentration, see Höglund-Isaksson et al. (2020); Saunois et al. (2020).

        Transparency

        To what extent do input data come from publicly available sources?

        This may include sources accessible upon subscription and/or payment

        Entirely based on publicly available sources

        Is the full model database as such available to external users?

        Whether or not it implies a specific procedure or a fee

        yes
        The GAINS database is publicly available and can be accessed through the GAINS website. The information supplied on the GAINS website or parts thereof may be freely used for non-commercial and educational purposes. Data from this site is for informational purposes only, and may only be used as input to other models with explicit permission of IIASA. Information from this site may be reproduced with proper acknowledgment to IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria.

        Have model results been presented in publicly available reports?

        Note this excludes IA reports.

        yes
        Several policy related reports are available from IIASA website and the EU websites.

        Have output datasets been made publicly available?

        Note this could also imply a specific procedure or a fee.

        no
        Simulation mode results can be produced within the public model framework. Optimization mode results have been made available through peer-reviewed publications.

          Is there any user friendly interface presenting model results that is accessible to the public?

          For instance: Dashboard, interactive interfaces...

          yes

          Has the model been documented in a publicly available dedicated report or a manual?

          Note this excludes IA reports.

          yes

          Is there a dedicated public website where information about the model is provided?

          yes

            Is the model code open-source?

            no

            Can the code be accessed upon request?

            yes