Modelling the Transition to Sustainable Economic Structures – TRANSUST

This new project aims at identifying and building a network of excellence that provides a communication platform for researchers interested in modelling the transition to sustainable economic structures.
Based on the experience with existing models the following issues will be addressed:

• Sharing information about existing models in a peer review. The theoretic frameworks on which the major available models are based are compared. In order to prepare a future modelling framework, the strengths and weaknesses of existing models in addressing issues of sustainability are identified.
• Assessing the comparative advantages of various model designs. Based on a list of policy issues, the ability of the available models to handle these tasks are investigated. Strengths and limitations of available models with regard to specific policy questions thus become visible.
• Identifying research tasks for modelling sustainable economic structures. The reliability and sensitivity of different models with respect to a few crucial features are tested. Among other things, this involves looking at technological change, risk perception and co-benefits. Recent contributions from economic theory, in particular on technological change and capital theory, are analysed for their potential to improve the modelling of the transition to sustainable economic structures.