Overview

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is Europe's premier geosciences union with about 17,000 members who span many key scientific areas that can enhance the policy-making process. These topics include, but are not limited to, natural hazards, energy resources, climate change, soil science, and raw-material sourcing.

The EGU engages with science for policy activities on a European scale. ‘Policy’ is defined as a plan of action developed to assist in achieving a desired outcome. Unions, governments, organisations and companies all create policies to help them achieve certain goals. ‘Science for policy’ involves applying scientific knowledge to the decision-making process to strengthen the resulting policies. This website section provides a summary of the EGU policy resources available. It aims to encourage stronger science-policy partnerships, inform geoscientists about relevant policy opportunities and highlight policy-relevant research to both the public and policymakers.

The EGU has a range of resources to inform scientists about the world of science for policy.

• EGU database of expertise: The EGU’s database of expertise allows its members to be updated with the current opportunities to share their scientific knowledge. Please register if you have an interest in policy and want to participate more in the science policy process.
• Policy basics: This selection of texts explains key policy concepts and how scientists can effectively communicate their research to strengthen the policy process.
• EU policy news: This section highlights recent EU policy news and opportunities that are relevant to geoscientists.
• Getting involved: Visit this webpage if you would like to learn more about how scientists can participate in European science for policy activities.
• Resources: This page highlights a range of information available online intended for scientists interested in policy and the organisations involved in the policymaking process. The resources provide information for scientists at all stages of their academic career.
• Science policy column on GeoLog: A regular science policy column (GeoPolicy) established on the EGU blog aims to provide information about European policy and how scientists can contribute to policy processes. Run by the EGU Science Policy Officer, the column features guest authors from both academia and policy.

The EGU is currently developing its activities to engage with and aid policy workers. We have an extensive network of scientific expertise from the Earth, space and planetary sciences.

• For an overview of the policy-related issues that the EGU researches please read our “What the EGU can do for policy” factsheet (PDF, 109.2 KB) .
• Science-policy publications highlight EGU documents that are likely to be of political interest. This includes publications on overarching issues such as the EU’s research framework programmes and factsheets that give specific information on geoscientific areas of political-relevance (such as air pollution, climate, natural hazards and energy resources).
• The EGU's policy-related papers section highlights articles published in the EGU's open access journals that have outcomes which could be of interest to policymakers.

If you require more information on any EGU science-policy issues please contact: