Zafar Adeel, Director, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)

1. Science-Policy Bridges
Over Troubled Waters

2. The Process
About 100 scientists
and experts
Over 6,000 reports
& publications
3-years of objective
& impartial analysis
Countries represented by IW:Science WG members

3. Key Findings
Scientific engagement in project design needs to be
optimized
Communities of practice offer a bridge to scientific
integration
Scientists should inform choices not advocate
Use of science in successful TDAs is not clear

4. Key Findings
Systems science offers conceptual frameworks
Little attention is paid to integrate social sciences
Adaptive management is invaluable for “wicked” problems
Policymakers reluctant to discuss failures
Targeted research reduces uncertainties

5. Targeted Research Needs
Microplastics in oceans – food streams
Water security - its links to food & energy security
Impact of land-based biofuel production
Changing salinity in oceans
Increase in stored heat

6. Recommendations to GEF
Use of Scientific Evidence Panel in all projects
Include gap analysis and targeted research
Horizon scanning to discover emerging issues
Evaluate impact over longer-term
Examine scientific principles underpinning projects
Increase accessibility of data

7. United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
(UNU-INWEH)
Hamilton, Ontario CANADA
www.inweh.unu.edu
Science-Policy Bridges
Over Troubled Waters
Making Science Deliver Greater Impacts