1st Equinox Summit, 21/22 March, 2023 in Brussels: major milestone in accelerating the transfer from climate knowledge to policy and action with the support of more than 12 European countries

On invitation by the State Secretary for Recovery and Scientific Research, Thomas Dermine, and the Belgian Minister for Climate and Sustainable Development, Zakia Khattabi, the first European Climate Change Science Summit – Equinox Summit – took place on 21-22 March, 2023. It was held in the Egmont Palace in Brussels in the presence of European ministerial colleagues.

The Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) Synthesis Report released based on scientific research and expertise that we are in a decade where our future is in a critical balance. Last year Europe experienced severe and unprecedented heat extremes. The year prior, floods devastated areas of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Such extremes are only projected to increase.

At this pivotal moment, the European climate research JPI Climate, with the support of the MAGICA project, organised a high level gathering with leading European actors in climate science, policy and implementation. The aim of the Summit was to take stock and recall the wealth of climate knowledge available. As well, to discuss on what is next for Europe in terms of accelerating the transfer of knowledge into action.

On day one, key note speeches and panel discussions included the participation of co-leaders of the three IPCC working groups, Valérie Masson-Delmotte, Hans-Otto Pörtner and Jim Skea. Furthermore, it included the participation of high level representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA), Copernicus, the European Commission, the Joint Research Center, partners from the Joint Programming Initiatives (JPIs), the European Environment Agency (EEA), national and European Climate Councils, as well as representatives from Climate KIC.  Relevant interventions were also given by the Global Carbon Project and by the co-President of the Club of Rome, Sandrine Dixson-Declève.

The high level session on day two, gathered 12 European Research, Climate and Environment Ministries, they were represented by Ministers, State Secretaries and by mandated senior officials.

Together they expressed their strong support to use the next 12 months to establish a process to determine how to accelerate the transfer of knowledge from science and innovation to climate policy and actions.

The supporters of the statement (see here) requested to JPI Climate to explore further the modalities of such a process towards the 2024 spring Equinox with aim to reconvene under the Belgian Presidency for the launch of this new mechanism.

On the panel (from right to left): Deputy Director General DG Climate Action – Clara de la Torre, Brussels-Capital Region State Secretary for Research Barbara Trachte, Belgian Minister for Climate and Environment Zakia Khattabi, Belgian State Secretary for Science Policy Thomas Dermine, Belgian candidate for IPCC Chair Jean-Pascal van Ypersele

In the encouraging key note speech from the European Commission given by Clara de la Torre, Deputy Director General DG Climate Action, she recognised the role of science before the final session statement.

“As users of policy-relevant scientific knowledge, DG CLIMA acknowledges that the scientific community is at the source of producing the indispensable evidence base, solutions and services needed to navigate the transition to climate neutrality and resilience”

By supporting this statement, the 12 countries emphasized the need to ensure that the users are frequently provided with this scientific evidence base. With the political support JPI Climate is now putting the bits together and looks forward to the next Equinox Summit under the Belgian Presidency of the European Council.

From upper left side: Stephen Plummer – ESA, Frank McGovern – JPI Climate, Jim Skea – IPCC WG3, Hans-Otto Pörtner IPCC WG2, Valérie Masson-Delmotte  – IPCC WG1, Piotr Szymanski – JRC, Giulia Galluccio – JPI Climate, Kirsten Dunlop – Climate KIC, Surraj Dessai –  Imperial College, Jaroslav Miller – Czech Deputy Minister, Samantha Burgess – Copernicus, Valerie Trouet – Belgian Climate Center, Pierre Friedlingstein – Global Carbon Project, María J. Sanz – JPI Climate TAB