A new spatial explicit methodology for inputting land use data into BLUESix – an improved integrated assessment model for Brazil based on the original BLUES model

Abstract

The outcomes of the BLUES integrated assessment model have been supporting climate mitigation actions and energy policies in Brazil in the last few years. The current work converted BLUES to a new framework based on the MESSAGEix platform from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): the new BLUESix. At the same time, a new methodology based on a spatially explicit analysis to update land use input data into BLUES was developed and tested. Both efforts were analyzed and presented individually and combined. The conversion process achievements show that the conversion process has been successful, considering that new results do not invalidate the results obtained from the original BLUES model. Several land use methods were proposed. In order to define the most adequate land use input data method, two were selected and simulated in BLUESix. Results indicate that both methods enhanced land use results compared to the original land use input data. Nevertheless, the selected methods did not show significant differences between them. The combination of both endeavors carried out under this thesis provides opportunities for new studies and improvements in the BLUES model and other models based on the MESSAGE platform.