UK-Norway Dialogue on the Scientific Community and Climate Change

 

The British Embassy, the University of Oslo Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) and the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters co-hosted the visit of Professor Lord May of Oxford to Oslo on 10-11 March.

Professor Lord May and Norway's Minister of Research and Higher Education, Tora Aasland, held a seminar about how climate science can influence public policy and the public debate about energy and climate change.  Over 100 people attended the event, including professors, students, the NGO community and officials.  

Professor Lord May explained how the UK Committee on Climate Change (an independent body established under the Climate Change Act) advises the UK Government on setting carbon budgets, and to report to Parliament on the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  He also outlined the scientific basis for urgent political action to combat global warming.  

Minister Aasland previewed a new Government White Paper, Climate for Research, which states that public research spending will continue to increase.  Norwegian research policy will be defined by nine research policy goals that will contribute to meeting societal and global challenges like climate change.  The Minister said:

"To an even greater degree, Norwegian research will contribute to Norway’s ability to face significant societal challenges and to the shift to a greener knowledge-based economy. However, research is not merely validated through a perspective of usefulness, research is also about developing ourselves and society."

About Professor Lord May of Oxford

 

• Professor Lord May of Oxford, OM AC Kt FRS, holds a Professorship jointly at Oxford University and Imperial College, London and is a Fellow of Merton College, Oxford.  
• Professor Lord May is currently a member of the Climate Change Committee, an independent body established by the Climate Change Act of 2008 to advise the British Government on emissions targets and energy policy.  
• He is also a Non-Executive Director of the UK Defense Science & Technology Laboratories. From 2000-2005, Professor Lord May served as President of The Royal Society (2000-2005).  
• He is a former Chief Scientific Advisor to the British Government and former Head of the UK Office of Science and Technology (1995-2000).