Page - 20 - in options, Volume summer 2016

20 options + summer 2016 www.iiasa.ac.at I IASA researchers Ping Yowargana, Markus Amann, and Stefan  Hochrainer‑Stigler work on very different topics —from land use, to air pollution, to natural disasters— but they all have one thing in common: they work at the forefront of the science–policy boundary. Here they share some of what they have learned over the years of working with policymakers. SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TROPICS The IIASA Tropical Futures Initiative (TFI), inspired by the institute’s REDD‑PAC project, addresses tropical deforestation by bridging policy and science to develop sustainable land‑use strategies. Under REDD‑PAC, IIASA researchers trained Brazilian modelers to use the Global  Biosphere Management Model and the government used the results to produce the country’s land‑based climate pledge, which outlines post‑2020 climate  actions. PY I work face to face with both policymakers and local researchers in Indonesia and rather than an interface between science and policy, I  would call it a joint effort. The idea is to build the research capacity of local institutions linked to policymaking; we show them how the tools that have been developed here at IIASA can be useful but also listen to their requirements so that we can use their insights to enrich the models. In my experience, policymakers do see the value in scientific advice; they are often very interested when we show what our models can do. But the questions they have tend to be very specific, they want a number for a certain policy target, for example. Then all we can say is: “We have to see what kind of data you have, then refine the model, then calibrate it, and probably in a couple of years we’ll have something for you.” The way we work in TFI is to collaborate with local institutes that can provide the scientific standards IIASA models require, but focus on the specific issues policymakers need answers  for. That gives countries a chance to build their own capacity in using and refining the models for local use. Both policymakers and scientists need to recognize that they need to make a serious commitment to the process to make it a success. The  biggest problem we have in Indonesia, for instance, is achieving an active collaboration with government representatives. Sometimes this is a struggle, not because of lack of understanding or willingness, but  because of constraints like government budget cycles or lack of research funding. If you can get these things right it can pay off. The work in Brazil produced the ultimate  goal: a strong policy that the government knew it was capable of delivering. “Both policymakers and scientists need to recognize that they need to make a serious commitment” WE FALL DIVIDED Reports on the ground speak of separate camps of  scientists and policymakers as “tectonic plates — huge, rigid, and engaged in a never‑ending clash.” Yet science and policy must work together if we are  to achieve a sustainable future for humanity. How  can we get the very best from science–policy  collaborations?