Dear EGU Expert,

The year is coming to a close but there are still a few more science for policy opportunities that you can squeeze into your calendar before we start looking towards 2022! This month’s EGU science for policy newsletter will focus on some quick #scipol activities that you can engage with in between your holiday celebrations as well as some you can apply for now and then pick up in 2022! It also highlights yet more biodiversity-related initiatives including a reminder about the Open Call for the EGU’s Biodiversity Task Force which closes on 17 December 2021.

If you have a science-policy idea or activity that you would like the EGU to engage with in 2022, please don’t hesitate to let me know via policy@egu.eu or @Chl0e_Hill.

Wishing you a happy and relaxing festive holiday,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager

The Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) was established by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in late 2020. The KCBD primarily aims to support the implementation of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by working with researchers to identify, filter, and structure relevant information, making it accessible to policymakers. This week, they launched their long-awaited Biodiversity Tools including the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker, EU Biodiversity Strategy Dashboard, EU research project-policy link explorer, and the Biodiversity Information System for Europe.

Look out for more information about the KCBD and how you can engage with it in the EGU’s GeoPolicy Blog next year! Or better yet, apply to join the EGU’s Biodiversity Task Force to find ways to engage with it from a different angle!

Last month, the EGU launched the Biodiversity Task Force that will lead the Union’s biodiversity initiatives and allow EGU to contribute to the EU’s upcoming biodiversity policies and activities!

Starting in 2022, this Task Force of 8-10 experts will oversee EGU’s biodiversity-related activities and contribute to specific EU policy activities. It is hoped that this Task Force will not only support EGU activities but also provide individuals within the group with the opportunity to gain experience working at the science-policy interface, gain new insights, and expand their network. The deadline to apply is midnight on Friday 17 December 2021.

You can read more about the Task Force and how to apply here.

Eklipse, an organisation that aims to help governments, institutions, businesses, and NGOs make better-informed decisions on biodiversity, currently has an open call for knowledge from those with expertise in biodiversity and pandemics. This call aims to explore the amount of knowledge existing in the area of biodiversity and pandemics, find the main knowledge holders, and refine the current evidence needs.

You can contribute with your expertise via social media using the hashtag #BiodiversityPandemics, through the Eklipse Survey, or by sending an email to emb@eklipse.eu. The deadline for feedback is 14 January 2022.

If you’re already involved with science for policy and would like to learn more about how to get others engaged, you should consider applying for the Training-of-Trainers Workshop. Created and hosted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, this workshop aims to increase the evidence-for-policy capacity among researchers in EU countries. Throughout the 4-day workshop, participants will be equipped to deliver a 2-day training course to other researchers in Europe. Apply here before 20 February 2022.

Understanding science-policy ecosystems across Europe

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has been conducting research on the science for policy ecosystems of EU Member States across Europe. Their survey on “Qualities of Science for Policy Ecosystems” is collecting impressions on the strengths and weaknesses of national organisations in bridging science and policymaking. The survey takes 5-7 minutes to answer and consists of 20 short statements. You can have your say here until the end of January 2022.

Scientists in Support for an Ambitious EU Nature Restoration Law

The European Commission is currently working on a new nature restoration law with legally binding targets as part of the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The European chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration has published a declaration for a more ambitious EU Nature Restoration Law. 30 European Expert Networks and Associations and more than 1300 Scientists have signed the Declaration, which remains open for co-signing. You can read more about the declaration here.