A web-based interactive simulation environment for the FeliX Integrated Assessment Model

List of Authors

  1. Nikolaos Dimitrios Tantaroudas ,  
  2. R.Y.W. Tan
    ,  
  3. Ilias Karachalios ,  
  4. Philippos Marntiriosian ,  
  5. Tina Katika
    ,  
  6. Angelos Amditis ,  
  7. Sibel Eker ,  
  8. Christos Makropoulos
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Abstract

Background

Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are essential tools for exploring the interconnections between climate, food, land use, biodiversity, and socioeconomic systems. However, their inherent complexity and dependence on proprietary modelling software have historically restricted their use to specialised research institutions. There is a critical need for accessible tools that mainstream complex IAM results through intuitive interfaces enabling policymakers, educators, and the general public to explore IAM-based scenarios without technical expertise or local software installations.

Methods

This study presents the design, implementation, and validation of a browser-based Interactive Simulation Environment (ISE) for the FeliX (Full of Economic-Environment Linkages and Integration dX/dt) Integrated Assessment Model. The Vensim system dynamics model is compiled to WebAssembly via an SDEverywhere transpilation toolchain, enabling real-time client-side execution. The architecture employs Web Workers for non-blocking computation, a configuration-driven interface using interoperable open-data formats to fully decouple the model from the UI layer, and interactive visualisations built with Chart.js. A three-level validation framework verified numerical fidelity across the transpilation pipeline, and transferability was assessed through a proof-of-concept SIR epidemiological model deployment.

Results

The transpiled WebAssembly model reproduces original Vensim outputs to floating-point precision across all nine thematic output domains (food systems, nutrition, land use, greenhouse gas emissions, fertiliser use, biodiversity, and water resources). The configuration-driven architecture enables deployment with alternative Vensim models without code modifications. The platform supports multi-scenario comparison, scenario import/export, progressive disclosure interfaces, and contextual documentation, all running client-side in standard web browsers.

Conclusions

The FeliX ISE demonstrates the feasibility of compiling complex system dynamics IAMs to WebAssembly for fully browser-based interactive scenario exploration. The modular, configuration-driven architecture ensures transferability to other Vensim-based models. The interface design lowers the expertise threshold for meaningful engagement with integrated assessment science, broadening participation in climate and food system policy analysis.

Plain Language Summary

Climate change, food production, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are deeply interconnected challenges. Scientists use complex computer models called Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to understand how these systems interact and to test the effects of different policies. However, these models typically require specialised software and expert knowledge to operate, making them inaccessible to the people who most need their insights, and in particular, policymakers, educators, and citizens.

This paper describes a free, open-source web tool that runs one of these complex models (called FeliX) directly in any standard web browser, with no installation or special software required. The FeliX model simulates how changes in what people eat, how much food is wasted, and what technologies are adopted ripple through climate, land use, biodiversity, and water systems over time. The tool compiles the entire scientific model into a format (WebAssembly) that runs efficiently inside the browser itself, meaning all computation happens on the user’s own device, and no data is sent to any server.

Users interact with the model through intuitive sliders, switches, and buttons to build “what-if” scenarios, such as for example, asking “What happens to greenhouse gas emissions if the world shifts toward a healthier diet?” or “How does reducing food waste affect biodiversity?” The results are displayed instantly as interactive charts. Users can also compare two different scenarios side by side to see the trade-offs between different policy choices or global behavioural change scenarios. Rigorous validation testing confirms that the web tool produces results identical to the original scientific model, ensuring that the accessibility of the interface does not compromise the accuracy of the underlying system dynamics. By making this powerful scientific tool freely available and easy to use, this study aims to support more informed decision-making about the food and climate challenges that affect everyone.

Corresponding author
Nikolaos Dimitrios Tantaroudas
0000-0001-6727-1014
Grant information

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No [101081617] (project name [CHOICE — Mainstreaming Integrated Assessment Models by embedding behavioural change and actor heterogeneity, and increasing their outreach to citizens, communities and industrial actors]).

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Copyright
© 2026 Nikolaos Dimitrios Tantaroudas (Corresponding Author, Co-Author); R.Y.W. Tan (Co-Author); Ilias Karachalios (Co-Author); Philippos Marntiriosian (Co-Author); Tina Katika (Co-Author); Angelos Amditis (Co-Author); Sibel Eker (Co-Author); Christos Makropoulos (Co-Author) Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Authors & roles

Nikolaos Dimitrios Tantaroudas

Iroon Polytechneiou, Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), Athens, Attica, 15773, Greece

Roles
Corresponding Author, Co-Author, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Funding Acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – Original Draft Preparation
0000-0001-6727-1014

R.Y.W. Tan

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Lower Austria, 2361, Austria

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Software, Validation, Writing – Review & Editing

Ilias Karachalios

National Technical University of Athens, Zografou, Attica, 15772, Greece

Roles
Co-Author, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Project Administration, Resources, Validation, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
0009-0000-8581-8335

Philippos Marntiriosian

National Technical University of Athens, Zografou, Attica, 15772, Greece

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Validation
0009-0004-2597-7579

Tina Katika

Iroon Polytechneiou, Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), Athens, Attica, 15773, Greece

Roles
Co-Author, Funding Acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Supervision, Writing – Review & Editing

Angelos Amditis

Iroon Polytechneiou, Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), Athens, Attica, 15773, Greece

Roles
Co-Author, Funding Acquisition, Methodology, Project Administration, Resources, Supervision, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0002-4089-1990

Sibel Eker

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Lower Austria, 2361, Austria

Roles
Co-Author, Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-2264-132X

Christos Makropoulos

National Technical University of Athens, Zografou, Attica, 15772, Greece

Roles
Co-Author, Funding Acquisition, Project Administration, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Review & Editing
0000-0003-0308-4265

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