A New Initiative on Earth System Research for Global Sustainability

Earth System Visioning Process

2

Function Form Transition

2009 2010 2011

Establishment of Belmont Forum

ICSU

Cape Town Belmont Forum

ICSUISSC

Visioning process: Step 1

3

Function

• 5 Grand Challenges• Natural sciences,

social sciences and humanities

• Disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary

Grand Challenges: overarching goals

A two-fold research challenge:• develop effective response strategies to ongoing global change• deepen our knowledge of the functioning of the Earth system

New ways of doing research• implement a more balanced mix of disciplinary, interdisciplinary,

and transdisciplinary research• actively involve stakeholders and decision-makers• transition from research dominated by natural sciences to

research involving the full range of sciences and humanities

Grand Challenges: Publications

Reid

et a

l. 20

10 S

cien

ce

Visioning process: Step 2

6

Function Form

• Business as usual is not an option

• Need a unified structure

• 5 Grand Challenges• Natural sciences,

social sciences and humanities

• Disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary

Visioning process: Step 3

7

Function Form Transition

• Business as usual is not an option

• Need an overarching structure

• New Joint Integrated Strategy governed under unified framework

• Aiming at strategically integrating GECs, ESSP and other structures

• 5 Grand Challenges• Natural sciences,

social sciences and humanities

• Disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary

Visioning and Belmont Forum: convergence

8

Function Form Transition

2009 2010 2011

Establishment of Belmont

ForumICSU

Cape Town Belmont Forum

ICSUISSC

Initiative goals

• Deliver knowledge to respond to global change– Effectively bridge the science – policy divide at global and

regional scales, enabling science to be more readily applied in service of society.

• Address the grand challenges– Better science (regional, new disciplines, etc.)– Mobilize more research support for existing needs, while also

expanding support for new needs identified in the Grand Challenges.

• Engage a new generation of researchers– Broaden the base of scientists involved in the global change

research network and enable it to better reflect the expertise, priorities and passions of young researchers

Design criteria: building on strenghts1. The Initiative will build on the existing base, not

replace that base or add another program– Existing projects are core elements. – Need to ensure organizational structure can most effectively

deliver on goals

Grand Challenge #1

Grand Challenge #2

IGBP

Diversitas

Initiative on Earth System Research for Global Sustainability

Programs Projects Challenges

Design criteria: co-design2. Partnership between Funders, Scientists, and Users

– Co-design of initiative– Transdisciplinary research

Initiative on Earth System Research for Global

Sustainability

Funders

Scientists Users

Design criteria: regional components3. Built around strong regional components

– Identify and respond to needs at regional and national scales– Regional research is increasingly needed to understand Earth

system– Facilitates involvement of young scientists and builds capacity

Initiative on Earth System Research for Global Sustainability

Global Research

Regional Research

Regional Research

Regional Research

Global Users

Regional Users

Regional Users

Design criteria: engaging decision-makers4. Must facilitate active engagement with decision-

makers

Initiative on Earth System Research for Global Sustainability

Grand Challenge #1

Grand Challenge #2

Projects Challenges

Global Users

Regional Users

Design criteria: network 5. Needs a cutting-edge network structure facilitating

- Knowledge management- Identify network-wide research priorities, ensure the priorities

are addressed and solutions delivered- Adaptability and flexibility as challenges evolve- Bias for innovation to ensure flow of new ideas and talent- Mobilize network to support needs of regional nodes while

mobilizing regional nodes to address global questions- Distributed network management and coordination

Other design criteria

6. Actively engage full range of disciplines7. Actively engage young scientists8. Solid business plan for operating costs and

alignment with research funders on research priorities

Governance

Transition Team (Interim Board)

Expert Group

Expert Group

Staff, consultants

Governance tbd

Programs, Projects, Regional Nodes

Staff

Design Phase (18 mo) Implementation

Alliance

UNESCO, IOCUNEPWMO

…

Elements of the design process• Analysis of existing research• Initiative Design

– Input of expertise about other private sector and public sector research networks

– Consultation with stakeholders– Development of the organizational model and governance

arrangements– Identification of enabling processes (M&E, fundraising,

knowledge management)– Selection of regional nodes– Development of business plan– Approval by sponsors and funders

Initiative timeline

April 2011Transition Team appointed Presentation of the Initiative at Belmont Forum

May 2011First Transition Team meeting

September 2011 ICSU General Assembly decision

March 2012Initiative pre-launch at Planet Under Pressure conference

June 2012 Initiative launch at Rio+20

October 2012 New governing body Outcome of design process

New projects -

Integration of existing projects

Initiative next steps• setting up a Transition Team to start the implementation phase of

the initiative. The Transition Team:– would govern the initiative until a permanent body is appointed; – would be complemented by one or more working groups with specific

design purposes (e.g. integration of existing structures, scientific planning).

• presenting a proposal on the initiative – at the next Belmont Forum meeting (April 2011); – at the WMO Congress (June 2011);– at the IOC Assembly (June 2011);– at the next ICSU General Assembly (September 2011);– at the ISSC Executive Committee (November 2011);– …

• launching the initiative in two stages: – pre-launch at the “Planet under Pressure” Conference (March 2012); – launch at the “Rio+20” UN Conference on Sustainable Development

(June 2012).

The way forward: key messages for GEC• This is a strategic 10-Year Research Initiative• It will build upon existing strengths (the GEC lego blocks)• Messages ICSU will take forward to Belmont and the

Transition Team– At least one GEC representative should be in the Transition

Team– The project work should be ‘protected’– Participation of the GEC community will be critical in

proposing to the Transition Team how to implement integration of research and structures in the Initiative

– To minimize any confusion, ICSU will provide a road map and FAQs, which will be posted on the Visioning web site

• Take home message: the Sustainability Initiative aims to ensure the continued engagement of the scientific community, in all relevant disciplines, and will work to strengthen international science.