New Resource: Explore How En-ROADS Compares to Other Models

By Janet Chikofsky
August 14, 2025

We often get asked, “How does En-ROADS compare to other models?” We’re excited to share a new resource we developed to help answer that question: the Model Comparison—Future page.

This new page in the En-ROADS Technical Reference provides side-by-side comparisons of En-ROADS projections with scenarios from well-respected sources like the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), and others.

These comparisons focus on key global indicators such as:

• Energy use
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Carbon dioxide removal
• Temperature

For each output variable under each scenario, statistical error measures are calculated to assess how closely En-ROADS results align with those from other models.

The Model Comparison—Future page offers a one-of-a-kind look at how leading global climate models perform relative to each other. For example, it contrasts the trajectories in model scenarios for coal, oil, and gas demand with what is projected in government plans, as documented in the UN’s Production Gap Report.

Comparisons to Historical Data

We’ve also moved our Model Comparison—History page into the En-ROADS Technical Reference. This section shows how En-ROADS performs when tested against real-world data. By comparing En-ROADS outputs—like historical energy demand, CO₂ concentrations, and temperature change—with observed records, you can see how the model replicates past trends. This helps build confidence in the model’s structure and behavior.

Why These Comparisons Matter

These resources are an important part of our commitment to transparency and ongoing learning. They show that En-ROADS reliably captures the complex dynamics of energy, land, forest, and climate systems in a way that aligns with widely accepted scientific models while maintaining its unique strengths. That balance makes En-ROADS a valuable tool for policymakers, educators, and facilitators who want to explore climate solutions quickly and with confidence.

Explore the new sections here:

• 🔮 Model Comparison—Future
• 🕰️ Model Comparison—History