Future Earth research for global sustainability: The governance structure mechanisms Rik Leemans & Peter Liss Transition Team Members photos:

1.Introduction 2.The Stakeholders 3.The governance structure 4.Next steps Future Earth: Research for global sustainability 2 1.Introduction

The background documents 3 Report will be made available on Friday

4 High-impact science magazines follow Future Earth challenges and developments closely and with very high expectations!

Outcomes of Rio+20 “The Future We want” and implications for Future Earth Engaging major groups and other stakeholders “48. We recognize the important contribution of the scientific and technological community to sustainable development. We are committed to working with and fostering collaboration among the academic, scientific and technological community, in particular in developing countries, to close the technological gap between developing and developed countries, and strengthen the science-policy interface, as well as to foster international research collaboration on sustainable development.” [This is implicit support to Future Earth] 5

Conceptual framework for Future Earth Global sustainability within Earth system boundaries Cross-scale interactions from local to regional and global scales

Principles for Future Earth’s implementation 1.Science collaboration: Future Earth must provide a platform for collaboration between scientists across all disciplines. It must build upon earlier accomplishments of the Global Environmental Change programmes and all the underpinning disciplinary knowledge. 2.Engagement with various users: Future Earth must serve as a contact point between scientists and science users. Engaging users in research processes is critical in order to enhance the importance, legitimacy, relevance and applicability of the research. 3.Relevance to global environmental and societal challenges: Future Earth should support the delivery of science- derived solutions that address global environmental and societal challenges, and should be designed to broaden global change science to promote a transition to sustainability. 7

Guiding principles for Future Earth’s design o Sound scientific basis : Future Earth aims to strengthen our understanding of the Earth system, and provide solid science for a transition towards a sustainable society. o Co-design with stakeholders : Future Earth aims to better connect knowledge and action by producing science that society needs to engage in action, and that can better inform decisions towards global sustainability. o International reach : Future Earth will have a global and regional focus. o Responsiveness and innovative : The governance structure should serve the initiative and provide an adequate framework for implementation. o Diversity : Future Earth must give special attention to disciplinary, geographical and gender balance, and ensure that its activities reflect a diversity of viewpoints. o Sustainable implementation : Environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of Future Earth should be minimized. 8

A system to be phased in as from January 2013 and be fully operational by May 2014

1.Introduction 2.The Stakeholders 3.The governance structure 4.Funding structure 5.Next steps Future Earth: Research for global sustainability 10

Without understanding the social and political dynamics, aspirations, beliefs and values, and their impact on our own behavior, we only describe the world’s physical, biological and chemical phenomena, observe and document their changes, and apply technology to secure access to resources but would ultimately fail to ensure sustainability. Transdisciplinary research can contribute to solutions for a sustainable world. There is no other viable way forward. The sustainability challenges must be met and the Earth system science community will have an important role. Lessons learned from integrated ESSP science

So who are the stakeholders? 12 Research Science-Policy Interfaces Funders Governments Development organisations Business and Industries Civil Society (NGOs etc.) Media

Slide from G. Klepper’s presentation at Planet Under Pressure Co-design and co-production of knowledge requires the involvement of researchers and stakeholders during the entire research process.

1.Introduction 2.The Stakeholders 3.The governance structure 4.Next steps Future Earth: Research for global sustainability 14

A 10-year initiative by a new international Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability Future Earth: research for global sustainability 15 WMO is an observer

A growing, multi-stakeholder partnership Established Future Earth Will promote and support the further development of Future Earth By building and maintaining the enabling conditions for Future Earth to operate successfully

Executive Secretariat Governing Council Science Committee Engagement Committee o The overarching decision-making body, providing strategic guidance on and oversight of Future Earth’s operations and resource mobilisation o To comprise scientists from different fields, policymakers, business, industry and other stakeholders from different parts of the world o Will be appointed by the Alliance o Between now and May 2014 the Alliance will function as an interim Governing Council

They must work closely together Executive Secretariat Governing Council Science Committee Engagement Committee The Engagement Committee: o To guide and oversee the implementation of credible processes of co-design, co- production & co-dissemination of research o To include voices from business, civil society and government (i.e. all stakeholders) o Will be established by late 2013 and appointed by the Alliance The Science Committee: o To provide scientific guidance, propose new projects and priority issues, and secure the highest quality research o To represent the full spectrum of scientific fields, as well as scientists from other sectors o Will be established early 2013; appointed by ICSU/ISSC on behalf of the Alliance

o To implement the strategies and activities approved by the Governing Council, carrying out the day-to-day functions of Future Earth o To act as an integrator and facilitator, also coordinating access to cross-cutting capabilities o To be established via an open, competitive call that will be issued by the Alliance o An interim Secretariat, bringing together capacities of existing GEC Programme Secretariats will be operational as from early 2013 Executive Secretariat Governing Council Science Committee Engagement Committee

Executive Secretariat Governing Council Science Committee Engagement Committee o A global, integrated knowledge trust o To develop distributed knowledge nodes around existing and new, co- designed projects o Promoting the underpinning science and synthesis

Role of regions in linking across scales, integrating knowledge, catalysing transformative initiatives Future Earth as a globally representative platform But also a globally distributed platform to ensure that research, capabilities and partnerships are developed at the most relevant level(s)

22 Establishing an Institutional design for Future Earth Develop distributed knowledge nodes and regional initiatives to address real-world problems at local and regional scales Co-design with users Steering Committee & Office

1.Introduction 2.The Stakeholders 3.The governance structure 4.Next steps Future Earth: Research for global sustainability 23

The next steps for Future Earth Spring 2012: First Belmont Forum call for integrative research Oct-2012 – Jan-2013: Regional Consultation meetings Nov-2012: GEC-projects Consultation meeting Dec-2012 – Apr-2012: Future Earth presentations (e.g. AGU, EGU, AAAS) Oct-2012: Establishing the Transition Management Project Board Oct-2012 – Apr-2013: The Alliance will function as an interim Governing Council Dec-2012 – Apr-2013: Nomination Governing council members and committee members April-2013: Appointing Governing council members and Science committee members Dec-2013: Appointing Engagement committee members Spring-2013: Competitive Belmont Forum call for funding and hosting executive secretariat April-2014: Future Earth fully operational 24

For more information on Future Earth 25