Science for policy

GeoPolicy: Science in policymaking: Who is responsible?

Maria Rubal Thomsen April 26, 2019

Great Debate, panel in action. Credit: Chloe Hill

Should scientists actively approach policymakers in order to guide their decision-making processes, or is it the policymakers’ responsibility to seek scientific advice? In the first of the Great Debates at this year’s European Geosciences Union General Assembly in Vienna a mixed panel of policymakers and geoscientists tried to answer who should be responsible for making sure that science was used ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: The importance of scientific foresight

Chloe Hill October 27, 2017

Foresight shows us where we are going. Credit: marfis75 (distributed via Flickr).

Many of the issues that society currently faces are complex and research on just one angle or area does not provide sufficient information to address the problem. These challenges are compounded when more than one region (or even the entire planet) is impacted. Many of the decisions and legislations passed by governments today will go on to impact how these issues either develop or are resolved ye ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: IPCC decides on fresh approach for next major report

Sarah Connors September 27, 2017

Opening session at the 46th IPCC Plenary, Montreal, Canada. Credit: Mike Muzurakis (distributed via IISD/ENB).

This month’s GeoPolicy post is a guest post from Sarah Connors, a Science Officer in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 Technical Support Unit (and former EGU Science Policy Officer). The IPCC is starting its sixth cycle, in which hundreds of scientists take stock of the world’s climate change knowledge by assessing the current scientific literature and then summa ...[Read More]

GeoPolicy: What are European Commission Consultations and how can scientists contribute?

Chloe Hill August 30, 2017

The European Union flag in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Credit: European Parliament (distributed via Flickr).

The European Commission requires both expert advice and an understanding of public opinion to steer policy and draft new EU legislation proposals that will be introduced to both the Council and the EU Parliament to debate. The EU Commission regularly hosts hearings, workshops, expert groups and consultations to gain valuable insights, prompt discussion and help draft policy. These forums may be r ...[Read More]