Innovative approaches to integrated global change modelling

Integrated models are important tools to investigate the interactions between planetary processes and the growing impacts of human populations - in short: global change. Current models still have significant shortcomings, notably in their representation of socio-economic processes and the feedbacks between these and the environmental system. They are also often not designed with sufficient transparency to enable participation of interested parties or effective communication with stakeholders and policy makers. These deficiencies are discussed and possible directions for improvement are identified. This Thematic Issue provides a collection of papers that offer a number of innovative ideas for remedying these shortcomings using novel methods and approaches. Highlights¿ Integrated Assessment Models (IAM) are important tools to investigate global change. ¿ Current IAMs are limited in dealing jointly with social and environmental systems. ¿ Limits are, also, in facilitating participation and communication with stakeholders. ¿ Solutions can be found in innovative integrated systems sciences. ¿ Focus should be moved from an assumed equilibrium to the exploration of dynamics.