I know models are models.
We use a lot of models where I work.
Some we build into our product, others we use to test our product.
But we can’t do any of that until we can demonstrate that they produce results that match what they’re modeling within an appropriate tolerance.
That process is called “Validation”.
The global warming “models” are UNvalidated.
You are right, they won’t be validated until the target date is reached. So they can’t really be models. Perhaps projections, guestimates, etc. would be a better label. Of course, model sounds more elegant, like an architects model which is a miniature of something that can be made real in the same design.