Science policy interface (SPI) emerges when scientific knowledge is effectively incorporated to inform policymaking, enabling environmental policy to act as a catalyst for transformative change. Effective SPI supports informed decision-making, bridges the complex interface of science and policy to strengthen environmental governance and tackle the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
While scientific knowledge is critical, it alone is insufficient to influence policy decisions on a large scale. An effective SPI framework is essential to create cohesive and inclusive environmental policies to achieve meaningful action on a global scale.
UNEP's work in promoting the science-policy interface includes:
- Assist countries with the establishment of inclusive national science-policy interfaces to scale-up public engagement in environmental policymaking. This approach taps into the knowledge and potential of diverse groups, including youth, women and indigenous peoples for effective environmental governance.
- Develop and disseminate toolkits, guidance and knowledge products to assist countries understand and apply relevant scientific knowledge to meet their environmental obligations at all levels. Additionally, the organization supports countries to collect and generate nationally specific scientific information across different environmental domains.
- Share best practices to facilitate the effective integration of science into environmental national strategies and plans, including towards MEAs-related actions such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and chemicals and pollution plans.
- Facilitate multistakeholder engagement through organizing global, regional and national dialogues, trainings and peer learning initiatives, fostering exchanges, raising awareness and promoting mutual solutions on SPI issues across different contexts, promoting North-South and South-South and Triangular cooperation.
Relevant Workshops and meetings
- Consultative Meeting: Science Policy Interfaces and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs): 13 - 14 November 2023, Geneva, Switzerland
- Role of Environmental Law and Governance in Strengthening Science-Policy Interfaces- SPARK webinar series, Tuesday 28 February 2023
- The Emerging Role of Academics and Academies of Science in Strengthening Science - Policy Interfaces- SPARK Webinar series, Tuesday, 23 May 2023
