Science-policy interfacing in support of the Water Framework Directive implementation.
G Vaes1, P Willems, P Swartenbroekx
1HydroScan Ltd, Tiensevest 26/4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. guido.vaes@hydroscan.be
Summary
Bridging the science-policy gap in water management is crucial. The SPI-Water project developed a science-policy interface to improve research dissemination and uptake for the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Resource Management
- Science Policy Interface
Background:
- Water-related research and development (RTD) projects often lack effective communication channels with policymakers and implementers.
- Research scientists may not fully understand the needs of policymakers and water managers, hindering RTD result utilization.
- Existing science-policy links for Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation require investigation and enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bridge the communication gap between water-related research and policy implementation.
- To enhance the use of RTD results in the practical implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
- To develop and implement a functional science-policy interface for water management.
Main Methods:
- Investigating existing science-policy links related to WFD implementation.
- Identifying and analyzing relevant RTD and LIFE projects for WFD implementation.
- Developing and enhancing an information system (Harmoni-CA's WISE RTD Web Portal) for efficient dissemination and retrieval of RTD results.
- Extending science-policy interfacing to non-EU countries, considering their specific needs.
Main Results:
- Established concrete actions to bridge communication gaps between science and policy in water management.
- Enhanced the Harmoni-CA's WISE RTD Web Portal as a user-friendly tool for RTD result accessibility.
- Initiated the extension of science-policy interfacing for WFD topics to non-EU contexts.
Conclusions:
- The SPI-Water project successfully developed a science-policy interface to improve RTD uptake in WFD implementation.
- Effective communication and accessible information systems are vital for translating research into policy action.
- The project's approach offers a model for enhancing science-policy collaboration in water resource management globally.
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