How to decide on research policies for the environment? Up-to date scientific and technological research is vital to allow humans to adapt appropriately to our changing global environment, and current rates of environmental degradation and resource depletion. Effective research policies are essential to maintain or improve the standard of life for future populations – in Europe and globally.It is also crucial to establish
the mechanisms by which scientific knowledge is currently used in policy creation – to understand how these might be improved in future. This Thematic Issue aims to increase understanding of the core questions above. It emphasises some of the latest research about identifying appropriate emerging areas of science — vital information for policymakers, scientists, decision makers in industry, funding bodies and the public.
To this end, it presents studies on methods to understand and improve the links between scientific knowledge
and its real-world application in policy, on topic identification for funding and on research impact and dissemination.