Dear EGU Expert,

This month’s EGU Science for Policy Newsletter focuses on EGU policy activities and opportunities as well as some upcoming science for policy events that you may wish to engage with!

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 or on Twitter @Chl0e_Hill.

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager

As regular readers of this Newsletter will already be aware, Biodiversity was approved by the EGU Council as EGU’s 2022-2024 Policy Priority Area. Not only is biodiversity relevant for many EGU divisions but it’s also a key policy area that will require ongoing information and continued scientific support.

Last month, EGU announced the members of EGU’s Biodiversity Task Force who will coordinate EGU’s biodiversity-related activities, support the transfer of biodiversity-related knowledge to policymakers, and promote evidence-informed policy! The selected members include a diverse range of experts from different EGU divisions. As well as diverse scientific backgrounds, the group has a varied skillset with experts in communication, photojournalism, communication, outreach, and policy.

You’ll be able to follow the work of the Task Force through this Newsletter, EGU’s GeoPolicy blog, and on the policy section of the EGU website!

Effectively engaging in policy often requires a customised approach and it can be difficult to know how best to get started. This year, General Assembly participants will have the opportunity to have their policy questions answered by individuals who are working on the interface of science and policy through 30-minute 1-on-1 meetings! These meetings will take place throughout the period of the General Assembly (23-27 May 2022) and can be requested both virtually and in-person.

To set up an appointment, please submit your question(s) or topic that you would talk about here by 16 May 2022 and you will be paired with an expert who is able to discuss them.

The EGU has an External Science for Policy Events Calendar that lists upcoming policy-related events that are likely to be of interest to our members. This can be a useful resource if you’re trying to find events that will introduce you to the science-policy interface or a policy area! You can also add a policy-related event to this calendar if you’d like to share it with a wider audience. A few highlights from this calendar are outlined below.

Environmental History Meets Public Policy
The International Panel on Environmental History & Policy, a global network of interdisciplinary scientists researching the relationship between past societies and their environmental history, is running a series of training science for policy training webinars. from 22 March – 21 June 2022.

These webinars include an introduction into science for policy, Science for Policy Communication, and Science For Policy Ecosystems in the EU and its Member States among others.

Energy efficiency: A science advice perspective
This online event will highlight the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism’s recent policy recommendations and the future of energy efficiency. Hosted on on Monday 28 March 2022, it will bring together scientific experts, policy advisors, and stakeholders.

15th COP to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity recognises that biodiversity is vital for food security, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment. Part two of the 15th COP on Biological Diversity will take place both online and in China from 25 April to 8 May 2022. It may be of interest to scientists working in biodiversity-related areas who are interested in learning about the global biodiversity status, policy challenges, and upcoming focal areas. You can read more about the conference and programme here.