Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface Towards Sustainable

Development

Dr. Gisbert Glaser

International Council for Science (ICSU)

Side Event at 2nd Meeting of Rio 2012 Preparatory Committee

New York, 8 March 2011

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Good Policies/Governanceneed good science

• Policy setting and implementation must be based on the best available knowledge, (natural, social, economic, health, engineering, etc. sciences

• Strengthening the scientific base of environment and sustainable development governance institutions should be one major building block of institutional reform, to be agreed upon by Rio+20.

 

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Existing science-policy interface mechanisms (IEG): Assessment Bodies

Assessment Body• Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

•Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

(IPBES)

Policy Body

•UNFCC

• CBD

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Continuum from observations/research/modelling, through assessments, to science based s.d. policies

Scientific assessments (e.g. IPCC, MEA, IAASTD): • Establish the current knowledge on a given problem and

its future risks; most include assessments of options for action.

• Need to be repeated or updated periodically. (Concerns about time lags)

• Interdisciplinary scientific information• Based on interdisciplinary research and knowledge

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Scientific advisory bodies (e.g. SBSTAs):

• Provide regular scientific and technical advice to COPs of Conventions, multilateral organisations etc.

• Set their agenda with the programme of work decided by the intergovernmental body.

• (Concerns about scientific independence and quality)

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Criteria for best practiceof science-policy interface processes

• scientific independence, excellence and credibility

• policy relevant scientific knowledge and information (interdisciplinary knowledge and information; participatory approach)

• policy coherence across sectors (integrated approach – three pillars and across sectors;)

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Legitimacy in a political contextand mutual trust

• Geographically balanced: representation of the global scientific community.

• Open, inclusive, including also major civil society actors and the private sector (participatory approach)

• Transparency of the process(es).• Good communication by scientists about processes,

strengths and limitations of their work.

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Other science-policy interface Mechanisms

• Chief science advisors

• Science for Policy briefs

• Hearings• Other ?

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Regional S & T Workshops for Rio+20

• giving a voice to scientific communities in 4 developing regions (Asia/Pacific; Africa, LAC, West Asia)

• organised jointly by ICSU and UNESCO (Regional Offices)

• Dialogue sessions with governments; other stakeholders/Major Groups

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Major global “science for policy” events – Rio+20

• International Conference “Planet Under Pressure”, London, March 2012

• International Forum on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, Rio de Janeiro, May/June 2012

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Scientific uncertainty

• Uncertainty will always be a feature of scientific research.

• Used as an excuse for not developing rigorous policies and taking action.

• 1992 Rio: Precautionary principle (Principle no. 15 in Agenda 21).

• Often not well implemented.

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Dealing with uncertainty

• Where gaps exist, present the scope of scientific hypotheses and define the level of uncertainty. Communicate openly.

• Assess the likely consequences of taking no action.

• Diverging views among scientists can be worrying for policy makers.

• Need to weigh few divergent views against international scientific peer-reviewed consensus.

 

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Ways forward• Develop a strategic approach to strengthening science-policy links in

individual organisations (e.g. CSD, UNEP,etc.); for each Convention/multilateral environmental/sustainable development agreement; institutions at the regional and national levels.

• Follow “best practice” to ensure high quality, independent, policy relevant, and “geo-politically” legitimate scientific information and advice.

• Support developing countries to build capacity in science and technology, as well as in science for policy processes.

• Strengthen research and science for sustainable development and on global environmental change.

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Strengthening International Science for the Benefit of Society

“Think piece” prepared for Stakeholder Forum’s SDG2012 programme (February 2011):

Enhancing Science-Policy Links for Global Sustainability

By Gisbert Glaser, PhD, and Peter Bates, PhD, International Council for Science (ICSU)

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Science for policy

Thank you!

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Policy relevance and coherence

• Participatory approach: Consensus process between scientific experts, governmental policy makers and other stakeholders at all stages. Participation of the private sector and major civil society actors is a critical element.

As a first step, needs in terms of scientific information and advice, and key questions, should be identified jointly from a policy perspective.

• Integrated approach: Integrated scientific advice cutting across environmental, economic and equity problems.