Backcasting is a method for relating future visions, such as scenarios, with present day issues and policy-making agendas. It usually starts with defining a desirable future and then works backwards to identify events and decisions that will connect the future vision to the present. The purpose of backcasting is to identify areas of action to support certain scenarios or to suppress unwanted consequences. Backcasting also aims to determine several pathways for reaching desirable futures and avoiding undesirable futures and to provide transparent evidence for reflected and responsible decision-making.
EPRS, 2015. Towards Scientific Foresight in the European Parliament
Dammers, E. et al. 2013. Scenario’s maken voor milieu, natuur en ruimte - een handreiking. Den Haag.