Publications

The statement responds to a proposed U.S. rule that would introduce new restrictions on international research collaboration and increase political oversight of federally funded research. ALLEA warns that the proposal could undermine academic freedom, research integrity, international scientific cooperation, and the global exchange of knowledge.

SAPEA’s publication examines the role of advanced materials in strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy, competitiveness and resilience, and provides an evidence base for policy recommendations on innovation in the field. It highlights the importance of safety, sustainability, transparency and high production standards, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources, resource efficiency and the circular economy in the development, production and deployment of advanced materials.

The EASAC commentary Energy System Integration examines the opportunities and challenges of energy system integration in Europe. It assesses how integration can enhance energy security, lower costs, and support climate objectives, and outlines recommendations for policy-makers.

In this EASAC commentary, Opportunities in Nature Restoration, nature restoration is highlighted as a strategic investment in Europe’s security, prosperity, and ecological stability.

EASAC’s report Meat Alternatives examines how meat substitutes can help reduce the environmental impacts of the food system and promote public health. The publication provides policymakers with a science-based roadmap towards more sustainable protein production and consumption, and presents a comprehensive overview of different options – from plant-based and insect-derived proteins to microbial proteins and cultivated meat.

The risk of wildfires is increasing at an alarming rate in Europe, prompting experts to call for urgent action. The European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) is urging the EU to fundamentally change its wildfire policy: from reactive fire suppression to proactive, risk-based land management. Already today, wildfires burn an average of half a million hectares annually in the EU – nearly twice the size of Luxembourg.

EASAC’s report Changing Wildfires in Europe highlights the complex factors driving the surge in wildfire risk. These include climate change, rural depopulation, and land-use changes. Droughts and declining summer precipitation are predicted to double fire risk by 2100. Meanwhile, the abandonment of farmland and unchecked vegetation growth have created vast areas of highly flammable biomass across Europe.

Growing geopolitical tensions combined with high dependencies on imported fuels, raw materials and technologies, are an increasing threat to European energy security. The weaponising of energy by autocratic regimes through trade disruptions, physical attacks on infrastructure, and growing numbers of cyber-attacks are increasing not only the risk of interruptions to Europe’s energy supplies but also energy prices. High and volatile energy prices are reducing investor confidence, jeopardising the competitiveness of European industries, and driving millions of vulnerable European households into energy poverty. The report emphasises the urgent need to address the growing threats to energy security and explains how this can be done by accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.

Executive Committee of the International Human Rights
Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (IHRN), are concerned about the
serious challenges facing scientists and researchers in the United States. The
IHRN is an alliance of national honorary scientific societies that defends the
fundamental rights and academic freedom of scientists and scholars worldwide.
We also speak out because scientific research is a common good that transcends
borders and political boundaries.

Recent restrictions on science and scholarship by the new U.S. Administration’s executive orders freezing billions in federal research funding and censoring research on topics such as climate change and gender has prompted ALLEA to respond with this statement calling for our members, partners, and like-minded organisations, and urging national governments and international institutions in the U.S., Europe and beyond to remain vigilant and strengthen ongoing efforts to safeguard academic freedom and the autonomy of scientific institutions.