Dear EGU Expert,

EGU’s December science for policy newsletter highlights the EGU’s festive science for policy “happy hour”, a reading recommendation, and upcoming EU consultations likely to be of interest to geoscientists. We hope you like this new look for the EGU’s monthly database of expertise email. If you’d like to provide feedback or have any questions about EGU’s science-policy activities, please get in touch via policy@egu.eu or @Chl0e_Hill.

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Officer

EU Commission consultations provide the public with an opportunity to contribute to the EU policymaking process by providing feedback on Commission initiatives as they take shape or are being evaluated. People with expert knowledge in relevant areas are particularly encouraged to respond to the relatively short questionnaire and attach relevant documents.

EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition: air, water & soil

As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has announced its aim to move towards a zero-pollution system. This consultation aims to gather information and opinions on how the EU Action Plan “Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for Air, Water, and Soil” can most effectively prevent, remedy, monitor, and report pollution to secure clean air, water, and soil across Europe.

The feedback period closes on 10 February 2021 at midnight CET.

Respond here!

Ocean observation: sharing responsibility

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) has improved the EU’s ocean observation capacity. However, more work is still needed to rationalise these observations and define priorities. This consultation aims to gather information and opinions about key ocean-observation challenges, including instrument design, monitoring campaigns, and measurement analysis.

The feedback period closes on 19 February 2021 at midnight CET.

Contribute here!

Don’t miss EGU’s festive science for policy happy hour!

On Thursday 17 December from 17:00 to 18:00 CET, the EGU will host a festive science for policy “happy hour”! This networking event will provide you with an opportunity to virtually mingle with people working at the science-policy interface as well as others who may be interested in doing so. Participants will talk about topics that are of interest to both geoscientists and policymakers over a Glühwein, warm tea, eggnog – or any other kind of festive beverage you enjoy!

Register here!

Free online European Science Diplomacy course

S4D4C is offering a free online European Science Diplomacy course with eight different modules that outline what science diplomacy is, who is involved, what it looks like in practice, and hands-on case studies. The structured modules allow you to progress through the course at your own pace, and you earn a certificate at the end.

Sign up here!

New: JRC Science for Policy Handbook

The Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s in-house science and knowledge service, aims to bring evidence into the EU policymaking process. To support this, the JRC recently published a “Science for Policy Handbook” that provides advice for scientists and scientific organisations interested in bringing their research to the attention of policymakers and focuses on how to achieve the greatest policy impact. The free handbook provides information useful for anyone involved in European-based policy or hoping to engage more with policy in the future.

Download this free resource here!