The joint EGU-European Parliament Intergroup virtual event, Integrating science into the EU Green Deal, will be held on 30 September 2020 from 15:00–17:00 CEST. This online gathering will bring geoscientists, policymakers, and industry representatives together to discuss how Earth, planetary, and space science researchers can most effectively support the European Green Deal and ensure that its ambitious biodiversity and zero-pollution targets are reached.

Hosted by Member of Parliament Norbert Lins, the Intergroup’s Vice-Chair, the event will feature two panels of speakers that will include policymakers as well as researchers representing the EGU. The first panel, to be chaired by EGU President Alberto Montanari, will discuss how geoscientists can use their skills, expertise, and discoveries to help preserve and restore Europe’s rich biodiversity. The second panel, which EGU Vice-President Helen Glaves will chair, will highlight ways that Earth, planetary, and space science researchers can help address the serious problem of pollution, which can be hazardous to wildlife, human health, and the environment.

Confirmed speakers include:

Panel 1: Biodiversity

• Norbert Lins: Member of the European Parliament
• Roby Biwer: European Committee of the Regions Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council
• Luc Bas: Director, European Regional Office, International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Iris Moeller: Professor of Geography, Trinity College Dublin

Panel 2: Zero Pollution

• Mohammed Chahim: Member of the European Parliament
• Anna Papagrigoraki: Sustainability Director, Confederation of European Paper Industries
• Erik van Sebille: Associate Professor, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research and Department of Physics, Utrecht University

Please register in advance for this event.

All participants are also welcome to join an hour-long networking happy hour immediately following the event (17:30 – 18:30 CEST). This online session will enable participants to continue the discussions in small breakout groups. To join, you will need to complete an additional registration (please click here to register for the networking happy hour).

Established in 1994, the European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’ brings together Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from all political groups and Parliamentary Committees to find sustainable solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time. This balanced forum of discussion allows MEPs to listen, debate and shape ideas and policies based on contributions from the different stakeholders (relevant experts, NGOs, private sector, researchers and academics) in the presence of the European Commission, EU Presidency and EU Member States.

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is the leading organisation for Earth, planetary and space science research in Europe. With our partner organisations worldwide, we foster fundamental geoscience research, alongside applied research that addresses key societal and environmental challenges. Our vision is to realise a sustainable and just future for humanity and for the planet. Our 20,000 members span many key scientific areas that can enhance the policy-making process including, but not limited to, natural hazards, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, soil science and raw-material sourcing.

• Event registration
• Happy hour registration
• EGU policy pages
• European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’