Supporting EU’s biodiversity targets by bridging the science-policy divide

A healthy and biodiverse environment is an essential component of many aspects of life on Earth, including human society, and even the world’s GDP. Restoring natural environments that are out of balance is a task necessary not only for perceived wild areas, like forests and wetlands, but also for urban areas, freshwater ecosystems, and our oceans. Europe’s Earth science and research communities are providing support for the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law’s ambitious targets by providing key information and solution-oriented scientific advice. This event will outline specific areas where these scientists can be of help to policymakers, highlight the advice provided in the EGU Biodiversity Task Force’s response to the Nature Restoration Law, and focus on the benefits of taking a solutions-directed, research-based approach.

The event will create a space for scientists and policymakers interested in the Nature Restoration Law, or other biodiversity-related issues, to come together and discuss options to meet the EU’s overarching goals, overcome current challenges, and ensure that the EU’s biodiversity targets can be effectively implemented.

As a result, this event co-organised by the EGU and European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’, will not only provide an opportunity for scientists and policymakers to discuss the specific issues related to the Nature Restoration Law and biodiversity, but also to assess how greater collaboration between the two communities can be achieved to improve biodiversity and overcome societies’ biggest challenges.

Please register in advance for online attendance here and in-person attendance here.

Agenda

14:00 : Welcome remarks by MEP Jutta Paulus (video-message intervention)
14:10: Opening remarks by Helen Glaves, President, EGU
14:20: Panel discussion with the participation of:

• Grégoire Dubois, Project Leader, Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity, European Commission
• Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Head of Policy and Programme, European Regional Office, IUCN
• Janica Borg, Expert, Biodiversity Strategy, European Environment Agency (EEA)
• Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, Vice President of Government Affairs EMEA, Planet
• EGU Biodiversity Task Force Member – (speaker TBC)

14:55: Reactions by Members of the European Parliament
15:05: Q&A with the audience
15:20: Final remarks by MEP Cesar Luena, followed by Helen Glaves
15:30: Networking coffee for in-person participants

If you would like more information about this event, please contact the EGU Policy Manager Chloe Hill via policy@egu.eu.