The AXIS research projects have gone beyond previous research in a number of ways: To date the impacts on sectors or compartment of the earth system has largely been described without a wider consideration of interaction between sectors. Some of the AXIS project have deepened the understanding about what impacts of a changing climate are to be expected within different impact sectors or categories in the future. Secondly, within AXIS not only the bio-physical impacts but also the socio-economic impacts of climate change have been studied, going beyond previous research in which oft either bio-physical systems or the economic impacts are studies in isolation. Thirdly, the current knowledge about the consequences of various emission futures, as a consequence of political and societal decisions were used in an integrative way to analyse different policy options for managing the transformation to sustainability. AXIS projects were conducted in close interaction with relevant stakeholder groups. They analysed impacts of the societal decisions on other UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) other than No. 13 on “climate action”.
Overall, the results of the AXIS research programme have led to better knowledge and tools for decisions necessary to make European society compatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement.