EGU SCIENCE FOR POLICY NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2022 ================================================= Dear EGU Expert, February’s EGU Science for Policy Newsletter highlights several initiatives to help EGU members to develop their science for policy skills. Below you’ll read about new resources developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) for scientists and research institutes, links to personal science for policy stories and experiences, and some upcoming European Commission Consultations that you may wish to contribute to! If you have any further questions or comments about the policy opportunities that exist for scientists in Europe, feel free to get in touch via [policy@egu.eu](mailto:policy@egu.eu) or on Twitter [@Chl0e_Hill](https://twitter.com/Chl0e_Hill). Best wishes, Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager EVIDENCE-FOR-POLICY: OPEN CALL FOR JRC’S TRAINING-OF-TRAINERS ------------------------------------------------------------- If you’re already involved with science for policy and would like to learn more about how to get others involved, you may want to consider applying for the Training-of-Trainers Workshop. Created and hosted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, this workshop aims to increase the evidence-for-policy capacity among researchers in EU countries. Throughout the 4-day workshop, participants will be equipped to deliver a 2-day training course to other researchers in Europe. [Apply here](https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/news/call-applications-training-trainers-evidence-policy-course_en) by **20 February 2022**. SCIENCE FOR POLICY COMPETENCE FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCHERS ------------------------------------------------------- The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has recently launched the [Competence Framework ‘Science for Policy’ for researchers](https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/visualisation/competence-framework-%E2%80%98science-policy%E2%80%99-researchers_en). This Framework outlines the different competencies that research organisations need to effectively work at the science-policy interface. It unpacks the collective set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes desired at four different proficiency levels. It’s hoped that organisations can use this framework to see where their strengths and skill gaps are! SCIENCE FOR POLICY STORIES AND EXPERIENCES ------------------------------------------ SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) is part of the European Commission’s [Scientific Advice Mechanism](https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/infographic-how-scientific-advice-mechanism-works_en). It provides independent scientific advice to Commissioners to support their decision-making while strengthening connections between Europe’s academies and stimulating debate in Europe about the role of evidence in policymaking. SAPEA’s [news page](https://www.sapea.info/news/) not only presents recent EU policy news updates and reports on science advice, but also gives personal insights and inspiration to others who are hoping to get involved in policy in the future. You’ll find both written interviews and [entertaining podcasts](https://www.sapea.info/podcast/) with a diverse array of experts who you can listen to on the go! HAVE YOUR SAY: EU CONSULTATIONS & CALLS FOR EVIDENCE ---------------------------------------------------- European Commission Consultations and Calls for Evidence provide individuals and organisations with an opportunity to contribute to the EU policymaking process by providing feedback on Commission initiatives as they take shape or are being evaluated. If it’s your first time submitting feedback to a European Consultation or Call for Evidence, there are some useful online resources to support you. The [Good Lobby’s Consultation Toolkit](https://www.thegoodlobby.eu/tool/how-to-submit-feedback-to-an-eu-public-consultation/) is one example that gives a detailed explanation about how you can effectively engage with the different types of Consultations and calls. Below are some open initiatives that may be of interest! ### Call for evidence: Updating the international ocean governance agenda Transformative action is needed to ensure effective and integrated ocean governance that can address challenges such as unsustainable use, climate-change-driven ecosystem disruption, pollution, and severe biodiversity loss. This initiative aims to strengthen adaptive management for more resilient ocean governance, support transdisciplinary research and knowledge-policy interfaces, and promote ocean solutions to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity across relevant legal and institutional frameworks. You can provide [information and evidence to support this initiative here](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13219-Setting-the-course-for-a-sustainable-blue-planet-an-update-of-the-international-ocean-governance-agenda_en) until **midnight CET on 15 February 2022**. ### Final Call: new rules to prevent methane leakage in the energy sector Addressing methane emissions is a critical step in addressing our overall emissions and slowing climate change. The EU Commission is currently developing an EU strategy to prevent methane leaks in the energy sector. This will include binding rules on monitoring, reporting, and verification as well as support for the EU’s greater climate ambition for 2030 and its 2050 climate neutrality objective. A Consultation has already been undertaken and the proposal consequently adjusted. However, the Commission is requesting [final feedback on their proposal here](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12581-Climate-change-new-rules-to-prevent-methane-leakage-in-the-energy-sector_en) before they present it to the European Parliament and Council. All feedback must be submitted by **midnight CET on 06 April 2022**. ### Consultation: Revision of REACH Regulation to help achieve a toxic-free environment As part of the European Green Deal, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability aims to better protect people and the environment against hazardous chemicals and to encourage innovation to develop safe and sustainable alternatives. The Consultation aims to collect feedback on revising the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals in the EU to help achieve these goals. You can [contribute to this Consultation and help to further develop the strategy here](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12959-Chemicals-legislation-revision-of-REACH-Regulation-to-help-achieve-a-toxic-free-environment_en) by **midnight CET on 15 April 2022**.