Webinar Report: Rapid and Living Evidence Synthesis for Environmental Action: Best Practices and Next Steps

The report examines how different approaches to evidence synthesis can support decision making on pressing environmental challenges, drawing on perspectives from researchers, research organisations and policy experts, with examples from health, climate and biodiversity.

A key message is that different evidence synthesis methods serve different purposes. Their selection should take into account the question being addressed, the needs of evidence users, and the balance between timeliness, comprehensiveness and methodological rigour. Rapid and living evidence synthesis can help provide timely evidence for pressing environmental issues, while also requiring consideration of methodological trade-offs and the alignment of evidence supply with policy needs.

The report also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in evidence synthesis, highlighting its potential to support different stages of the process alongside the need for responsible use and human oversight. It concludes with key takeaways for research funding and performing organisations, decision makers and other stakeholders, while identifying areas for further methodological and conceptual work.