An Introduction to 'Science Meets Policy'.

Since 1998, a series of  'Science meets Policy' meetings and 'Bridging the Gap' conferences have sought to address the relationship between science and policy in the environmental domain in Europe. These meetings have been driven by the concern that the relationship between science and policy has not always been as effective as it should.

This gap between science and policy can lead to several kinds of problems, including:

• Policies can be developed that are not sufficiently evidence-based.
• Policy processes can fail to address problems being highlighted by science.
• Science can fail to take account of, and respond to, urgent policy needs.
• Science can be conducted in ways that do not produce policy-relevant results.
• Inadequate communication can fail to bridge these worlds of science and policy.

Science meets Policy workshops have focused upon the thematic concordance of European environmental policies and research (both at the EU and national level), and the challenges to optimise the science-policy-dialogue with regard to the EU Framework Programme for research. They have traditionally brought together representatives of the European Commission (DG Environment and DG Research), European Institutions in the area of environment, and countries participating in the development of the ERA.