Dear EGU Expert,

This month’s Science for Policy Newsletter has plenty of policy news and opportunities for scientists to engage with! Learn more about the EU Nature Restoration Law and why EGU supports it, apply to work on #Science4Policy with the EGU Natural Hazard Division, and have your say on upcoming EU legislations. This month, the EGU External Events Calendar also includes a number of exciting #Science4Policy events that may be of interest to geoscientists and the #GeoPolicy blog has a list of #SciPol summer reading recommendations.

If you have any further questions or comments about the policy opportunities that exist for scientists in Europe, don’t hesitate to get in touch via policy@egu.eu or on the EGU’s new official Twitter Account @EGU_Policy.

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager

The European Union’s proposed Nature Restoration Law aims to restore ecosystems, habitats, and species across the EU’s land and sea areas. The proposed legislation comes at a critical moment when, despite EU and international efforts, biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems continue at an alarming rate with up to 81% of habitats at the EU level in poor condition.

With political discussion around the Nature Restoration Law intensifying, many scientific organisations are stepping up to highlight the scientific evidence on the potential benefits that the legislation could have if effectively implemented. Today, the EGU published a news item in support of the Nature Restoration Law encompassing all critical ecosystems that you can read here.

EGU’s Division on Natural Hazards currently has an open call for a Policy Officer within their division structure. This voluntary position will help promote evidence-involved policymaking and support members of the Division to engage with policymaking processes. The selected scientist will work with those in the Natural Hazards Division as well as with the EGU Science for Policy Working Group who will support this new position.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter that outlines your motivation and relevant experience or interest in policy to Heidi Kreibich, the Natural Hazards Division president (nh@egu.eu), by midnight on 25 June 2023.

The EGU has a regularly updated External Science for Policy Events Calendar that lists upcoming policy-related events that might be of interest to geoscientists who are interested in engaging more with policymaking. These events can introduce you to the science-policy interface or a particular policy area, help you to gain a better understanding of the needs of policymakers, provide inspiration for future research, connect you with potential collaboration partners outside of academia, and allow you to promote your work and expertise! If you’re hosting your own policy-related event, you can also submit it to be considered and added to this list of events.

Last month’s #GeoPolicy blog post outlines several insightful and inspirational books that focus on the science-policy interface. Each recommendation provides a different perspective and approach that will not only provide an excellent summer-time read but also help you to create greater policy impact going forward!

The European Commission’s 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. Both individuals and organisations that are listed on the EU’s Transparency Register can engage in this feedback mechanism!

EU Climate Target for 2040
The European Commission is currently in the process of establishing Europe’s climate targets for 2040. While Europe already has Climate Targets for both 2030 and 2050, it is currently in the process of establishing firm targets for 2040. As these targets will influence sectors throughout the EU, it’s vital that the target is created to send a clear signal to stakeholders going forward and set certainty and predictability for political choices. The Commission is currently asking for input and feedback on this call to support the creation of the targets and put the EU on a path toward climate neutrality by 2050. You can participate in this process and Submit your input and feedback here until midnight on 23 June 2023.

Feedback: European Critical Raw Materials Act
The European Critical Raw Materials Act aims to equip the EU with the tools to ensure the EU’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw material. Before the proposed legislation is given to the European Parliament and Council, the European Commission has opened the initiative to get feedback on the Act that will feed into the legislative debate. You can read the proposed European Critical Raw Materials Act and provide your feedback here until midnight on 30 June 2023.

Enhancing the European Administrative Space (ComPAct)
Ensuring that public administrations in EU Member States have the skills and knowledge that they need is an essential component in effectively addressing current and future challenges. This Consultation is collecting evidence on how these vital administrative bodies can be better supported to translate EU policies into relevant and effective actions at all levels of government in all Member States. This includes the ability of these governing bodies to access the best available scientific evidence. You can submit both your opinion and evidence on this issue here until midnight on 12 July 2023.

Industrial carbon management – carbon capture, utilisation, and storage deployment
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage plays an important role in achieving carbon neutrality in the EU by 2050. This call for feedback will provide the European Commission with information on the role that these technologies can play in decarbonising the EU economy by 2030, 2040, and 2050, respectively; and the measures needed to optimise their potential. You can provide your input and expertise on this initiative here until midnight on 31 August 2023.