Report on Exploratory Webinar on the Potential of Rapid Evidence Synthesis for Environmental Action

On 26 June 2025, Science Europe and its partner organisations organised a webinar on ‘The Potential of Rapid Evidence Synthesis for Environmental Action.’

The event brought together leading experts in science–policy interfaces, environmental research, and evidence synthesis for a timely discussion on how rapid and living approaches to synthesising scientific evidence can support environmental action and strengthen the science–policy interface.

Speakers explored how rapid evidence synthesis (RES) can help decision makers access usable, actionable, and timely scientific knowledge to inform environmental policies. The discussion addressed lessons learned from other fields where RES has been successfully implemented, the use of artificial intelligence in evidence synthesis, and the prerequisites for deploying such approaches effectively in environmental contexts.

This report summarises the outcomes of these discussions and highlights the potential for research organisations to play a stronger role in connecting science and policy to accelerate action on pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

The insights gathered during the webinar contribute to Science Europe’s broader work to enhance the role of science in addressing societal challenges and to promote sustainability within the research system.

The recording of the webinar is available on Science Europe’s YouTube channel.