How can we give coherent and useful advice on topics which are hotly contested? Is this even possible, when the controversy is not just over the scientific evidence, but also runs through the overlapping worlds of international politics and diplomacy, civil society, and fundamental ethics?

It turns out the answer is yes. In late 2024, the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission responded to the Commission’s request for science advice on the topic of solar radiation modification. The Advisors were supported by a diverse expert working group, nominated by Europe’s academies and assembled by SAPEA, and worked in parallel with the European Group on Ethics. The resulting Scientific Opinion, Evidence Review Report and ethics statement are already making waves in policy circles and in the international media.

So how did this diverse group of advisors manage to deliver coherent advice on such a divisive topic? What processes did they use to reach consensus? What went well and what was especially challenging? What lessons can be learned? In this session, peek behind the curtain of science advice in the making, and ask your questions to the experts themselves!

Speakers:

• Nebojša Nakićenović, (outgoing) deputy chair of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission
• Nils-Eric Sahlin, European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies
• Aarti Gupta, member of the SAPEA working group on SRM

Hosted by:

• Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission
• European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies

As today’s challenges transcend borders, the debate will discuss how science, policy, and advice can balance the often-conflicting priorities of global, regional, and national perspectives.

As an international institute addressing complex challenges through multilateral collaborations, IIASA frequently navigates the delicate balance between tackling pressing global and regional issues and informing national policies of its member countries. In this debate, experts in systems thinking, policymakers, and scientific advisors will be assigned opposing positions—either advocating for a global/regional approach or a national approach. This structured debate format is designed to spark intense conversations, ensure equal representation of both perspectives, and explore how to effectively reconcile global coordination with national priorities in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

While science and policy solutions must often be tailored to the specific needs and contexts of individual nations, global issues demand coordinated action and multilateral cooperation. Science advice, therefore, must navigate the fine line between offering solutions that can be universally applied and acknowledging the unique political, social, and economic realities faced by different countries and local contexts. This debate centers on whether policies should prioritize national sovereignty, and immediate citizen needs or whether global collaboration and shared responsibility should take precedence in addressing complex, cross-border challenges. This dynamic will raise critical questions about the role of scientific expertise in shaping policy at both the national and global levels.

Speakers:

• Keywan Riahi, IIASA Energy, Climate and Environment Program Director
• Lena Höglund-Isaksson, IIASA Pollution Management Research Group Senior Research Scholar
• Jan Marco Müller, Team Leader Global Approach, Multilateral Dialogue and Science Diplomacy, European Commission
• Professor Gina El-Feky, Acting President, Academy of Scientific Research & Technology and IIASA Council Member
• Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Deputy Chair, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors and IIASA Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar
• Jaakko Kuosmanen, Academy Secretary, Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters

Hosted by:

• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
• Austrian Academy of Sciences
• Finnish Academy of Science and Letters

Despite decades of scientific evidence highlighting the urgent need for socio-economic transformation, policymakers often struggle to integrate scientific insights into actionable policies. The widening gap between scientific warnings and political decision-making underscores the challenges of leveraging scientific advice to drive meaningful change. In an era of deepening environmental and social crises, the role of science in shaping policy is more critical — and contested — than ever.

The session will explore:

• The challenges in translating scientific evidence into policy actions that support sustainable economic and social systems.
• Why, despite growing recognition of planetary crises, resistance to transformative change remains strong.
• How scientists can enhance their influence in policy processes to foster systemic transformation.

Speakers:

• Louise Vet, former director of The Netherlands Institute of Ecology and emeritus professor of ecology at Wageningen University
• Bas Eickhout, Member of the European Parliament
• Moderator: Sabine Froning, EASAC Communications Advisor

Hosted by:

• EASAC
• Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences