An integrated assessment model for the new energy technologies and food production - an extension of the MARIA model

This paper describes an integrated assessment model for the long term evaluation of policy options. When concerned with global warming issues, the assessment of policy options should deal with the interactions between energy, the economy, the environment and climate changes. We developed an integrated assessment model, named MARIA, involving climate change and its impact on economic activities. This model has been used to evaluate carbon emission mitigation options by employing the Negishi weight technique to generate international trade prices. Here, we extend it to include the effects of land use change and the demand and supply systems. Carbon disposal technologies into the deep ocean and the underground are also taken into account. Although both the parameter assumptions and formulations for the agricultural production and demand systems require further considerations, the model indicates the potential value of biomass energy and land use change profiles and demonstrate the importance of technological progress in food production.