Dear EGU expert,

I hope that you’re all having a wonderful and relaxing summer! August’s Science for Policy Newsletter highlights a number of European policy updates and some opportunities to provide feedback that will enable you to jump back into science for policy after your summer break!

If you have any questions or comments regarding science for policy in Europe, feel free to get in touch via policy@egu.eu or on Twitter @Chl0e_Hill.

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager

European Commission Consultations allow you to contribute to the EU policymaking process by giving feedback on Commission legislation as it is being drafted or evaluated! Submitting feedback to European Consultations is a relatively straightforward process but the Good Lobby has published a toolkit that explains the different types of Consultations and gives you resources that will help guide you through your first submission.

Environmental sustainability – education and training

As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission is making a number of legislative proposals with the aim to reduce emissions and encourage all citizens to work towards a more sustainable Europe. Education and training are key to developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for this transition. This Consultation aims to gather ideas and views from individuals and organisations on education for environmental sustainability.

You can submit your feedback here until midnight CEST on 24 September 2021.

Protecting the marine environment – review of EU rules

The marine environment is subject to multiple and often increasing pressures from human activities. The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive was adopted in 2008 with the aim of supporting healthy, productive and resilient marine ecosystems and a more sustainable use of marine resources and the Commission is in the process of evaluating the Directive’s effectiveness and current relevance. The information collected from the consultation will be summarised by the Commission and, where possible, considered in the updated strategy.

You can submit your feedback here until midnight CEST on 21 October 2021.

Integrated water management – revised lists of surface and groundwater pollutants

A recent ‘fitness check’ (evaluation) found EU water legislation to be broadly fit for purpose. However, improvement was found to be needed on aspects such as investment, implementing rules, integrating water objectives into other policies, chemical pollution, administrative simplification and digitalisation. While there have been a number of experts involved in this process already, this Consultation gives stakeholders who have not yet been involved with the process an opportunity to also provide feedback.

You can submit your feedback here until midnight CEST on 01 November 2021.

Last month, the European Commission adopted the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030, a flagship initiative of the European Green Deal that builds on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The Forest Strategy sets a vision for increasing the quantity and quality of forests in the EU and strengthening their protection, restoration and resilience. Although relatively broad and overarching, this strategy will result in more concrete proposals from the Commission such as an EU Forest Observation, Reporting and Data Collection legislative framework. Keep your eye out for these proposals and give your feedback on them in upcoming Consultations. You can see more details on the Strategy’s Q&A page!

Disastrous floods: how to better estimate risks and reduce impacts?

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has recently published a number of reports that highlight the important role geosciences play in European society. Their most recent report, Disastrous floods: how to better estimate risks and reduce impacts? outlines how we can better estimate the risks associated with floods and develop adequate risk reduction measures. Not only does this report outline the importance of increasing predictive abilities but also the role that cognitive biases play when perceiving risk.

Protecting nature against invasive alien species

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has also recently published Protecting nature against invasive alien species. This report details how animals and plants are introduced and why they represent a threat to native species and ecosystem services in Europe. The report explains how these invasive species cause damage worth billions of euros to the European economy every year and how a new “Invasive Alien Species in Europe” smartphone App can potentially help to collect data on where these species are.