Environmental science takes an average of seven years to influence international policy, study finds

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-21T14:21:42.450Z • Permanent link

A recent study published by the University of Alicante (UA) and the Mediterranean Center for Environmental Studies (CEAM) has shed light on the slow pace at which environmental science influences international policy. Led by Dr. Sofia Moreno, a renowned expert in environmental policy and governance, the research team analyzed data from over 100 countries to understand the barriers separating scientific knowledge from policy-making. Their findings suggest that environmental science takes an average of seven years to influence international policy, highlighting the need for more effective communication and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders. The study's results are based on data from 2000 to 2020, covering a range of environmental issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The study's lead author, Dr. Moreno, emphasized the importance of understanding the complex factors that influence the pace of policy change. "We found that the slow pace of policy change is often due to the lack of clear communication between scientists and policymakers, as well as the limited availability of data and evidence," she said. "Our study highlights the need for more effective collaboration and knowledge-sharing between these stakeholders to accelerate policy change." The study's findings have significant implications for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders working on environmental issues, highlighting the need for more strategic communication and collaboration.

The research team's study built on existing work on the policy process, drawing on insights from the fields of environmental policy, science studies, and public administration. Their analysis of data from 100 countries covered a range of environmental issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The study's results provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders working on environmental issues, highlighting the need for more effective communication and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders.

The study's findings have significant implications for the Global Knowledge Bases domain, where understanding the pace of policy change is critical for making informed investment decisions and predicting market trends. Companies such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan have already begun to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investment strategies, highlighting the growing importance of ESG considerations in the investment process. Research communities and policymakers are also taking notice, with many calling for more effective communication and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to accelerate policy change.

The study's findings have significant implications for the investment process, where understanding the pace of policy change is critical for making informed investment decisions. For example, companies such as Vestas and Siemens Gamesa, which produce wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies, may benefit from the study's findings, as policymakers increasingly prioritize climate action and renewable energy. The study's results also highlight the need for more effective communication and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to accelerate policy change, which is critical for the success of companies and research communities working on environmental issues.

The study's findings are part of a larger pattern of research on the policy process, which has highlighted the complex factors that influence policy change. Prior studies have shown that policy change is often driven by a range of factors, including public opinion, economic interests, and institutional constraints. The study's findings are also consistent with existing work on the role of science in policy-making, which has highlighted the importance of effective communication and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders. The study's results provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders working on environmental issues, highlighting the need for more effective communication and collaboration between these stakeholders to accelerate policy change.