Table 1.

Main climate change scenario families as defined in the SRES (Special Report on Emissions Scenarios) report by the IPCC

Scenario	Description
A1	Rapid economic growth, global population 9 billion in 2050 then a gradual decline, quick spread of new technologies, convergent world in terms of income and life between regions. Extensive social and cultural interaction.
A2	A world of independently operating, self-reliant nations, continuous growth of the global population, regionally oriented economic development, slower and more fragmented spread of technological changes.
B1	Rapid economic growth (similar to A1), but more rapid changes to a service and information economy, population growth similar to A1, reduction in material intensity and introduction of more resource efficient or even clean technologies, worldwide emphasis on economic, social and environmental stability.
B2	Continuously increasing population although slower than in the A2 scenario, emphasis on local development and stability, intermediate levels of economic development. Slower and more fragmented technological change compared to A1 and B1 scenario.