This perspective presents
guidelines, developed through a collaborative process informed by a scoping literature review and expert
consultation with modelers and social scientists, for integrating GESI into large-scale energy and transport
systems modeling processes, particularly in low- and lower middle-income countries. By addressing key
challenges—such as data disaggregation, the limits of current model architectures, and the complexities
of quantifying social factors—we outline steps to incorporate GESI considerations throughout every stage
of the modeling life cycle. While developed with energy and transport systems in mind, the principles of these
guidelines are broadly applicable to other infrastructure modeling domains. Ultimately, this work demonstrates how inclusive modeling practices can produce more equitable, context-sensitive results, and foster
sustainable development outcomes.