New Science Impact Strategy launched to drive urgent action for nature

JNCC has today launched its new Science Impact Strategy, setting out an ambitious plan to maximise the impact of its scientific work over the next five years.

There is wide recognition that our planet faces a triple crisis: biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. The complex systems that sustain life as we know it, are being pushed towards irreversible change, with unknown consequences for nature and people. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has called for immediate and sustained action, and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services has called for transformative change to avert the worst possible consequences of this crisis.

JNCC must play its part by delivering impact through its science. Working with partners, JNCC aims to deliver the best evidence and advice, informing decision-making in the UK, the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and internationally.

Building on more than three decades of supporting action for nature, we will ensure that JNCC's evidence and advice have the maximum impact that nature and people need.

A rich scientific history, and a step change for the future

JNCC has applied scientific expertise in terrestrial and marine systems, and a strong track record of working at the science–policy interface, bringing evidence and advice to decision-making. As the only statutory authority to all four countries of the UK, JNCC combines this unique position with scientific expertise to safeguard nature on land and at sea. Its status as a Public Sector Research Establishment underlines its important role in the UK's science, research, development and innovation landscape.

JNCC recognises that the scale and urgency of today's environmental challenges demand a step change in how it designs, generates and communicates its evidence. This Science Impact Strategy sets out how JNCC will go even further to turn science into action, working with partners across governments, the CNCBs, civil society, industry and academia.

Purpose of the Strategy

The Science Impact Strategy focuses specifically on increasing the impact of JNCC's scientific activities. It has two core purposes:

1. To provide JNCC colleagues with a framework and guidance for delivering targeted, actionable scientific evidence and advice.
2. To demonstrate to partners how JNCC ensures its science directly supports policy and decision-making, and to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Six Science Principles

Central to the Strategy are six Science Principles that collectively frame how JNCC will deliver science that enables real-world action:

1. Prioritise generation of new evidence that addresses key policy needs.
2. Translate existing evidence into actionable policy advice.
3. Work in partnership to achieve greater impact together. 
4. Integrate natural and social sciences for more effective outcomes. 
5. Strengthen learning and evaluation to increase the impact of our science.
6. Effectively communicate our evidence to drive action. 

To find out more, watch our video (below) and read Delivering Action through Science: JNCC's Science Impact Strategy today.