The journey to net zero and the Sustainable Development Goals is complex. The Editors of the open access Springer book Aligning the Energy Transition with the Sustainable Development Goals discuss how energy system models developed by the Energy Technology Systems Analysis Program (ETSAP) under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), provide a powerful tool to guide the energy transition in the context of the SDGs imperatives.
- How can energy system models accelerate progress on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)?
The MARKAL and TIMES models developed by ETSAP help chart least-cost pathways and test what it required to reach net zero across all the sectors of the economy and society. By simulating different policy choices, they show what mix of technologies, behaviour changes and investments can deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy while maintaining energy security and ensuring universal energy access. Of course, the energy transition is rarely smooth. While these models show technically feasible and cost-effective pathways, real-world barriers—such as rising energy prices, financing gaps, infrastructure bottlenecks, and uneven social impacts—can slow progress.
- Do these models look beyond energy and climate?
Yes. They capture how energy choices interact with with land, agriculture, water, air pollution (impacting health), agriculture, materials, and employment. This makes them powerful tools for seeing synergies and trade-offs across the SDGs, - such as competition between bioenergy crops and food production or between water needs of power generation and other uses, linkage with social vulnerability and poverty reduction, etc. However, not all social and environmental dimensions are easy to represent in numbers. Complex issues like fairness, inequality, or land-use dynamics, remain difficult to fully capture in energy system model frameworks.
- How do energy systems models support policy-making for the SDGs?
They provide a robust scientific evidence base for decision-makers—in local municipalities, national governments and international agencies— to align climate, energy, and development strategies. Because these models are tailored to local or national contexts, they provide insights to policymakers regarding what is achievable and where the risks lie. For example, cities in Northern Sweden have used them to plan sustainable urban transitions, Ireland and the Province of Quebec in Canada have drawn on them to shape climate and energy policies, France has relied on them for long-term energy planning, and Algeria has used them to assess strategies for diversifying its energy mix. Of course, the insights are only valuable if they feed into real decision-making. Technical modelling results need to be translated into clear, actionable messages so that policymakers can act on them—especially when competing priorities are at stake.
- What’s new about MARKAL–TIMES models that makes it relevant for today’s SDG challenges?
Recent advances that are particularly relevant to the SDGs include faster computing methods (enabling deeper exploration of uncertainty), better representation of variable renewable energy, coupling and soft-linking with other sectoral models (including economic models, agricultural models and power systems models), and increased focus on the behavioural and societal dimensions of energy demand and supply. These improvements enable a stronger focus on SDGs relating to economic growth, innovation, sustainable cities and responsible consumption.
Maryse Labriet, Eneris Consultants, Madrid, Spain
Brian Ó Gallachóir, MaREI Centre, Sustainability Institute, University College Cork, Ireland
Kari Espegren, Energy Systems Analysis Institute for Energy Technology, Kjeller, Norway
George Giannakidis, MRC Energy Consultants & Advisors Greece, Marousi, Attiki, Greece