1. EASAC – European Science Advisory Council Professor Sir Brian Heap President

2. 2Sunday, 03 November 2013 What is EASAC? Coalition of the National Academies of Science of the member states of the EU National Science Academies: networks of scientific excellence task of science-based policy advice EASAC as an instrument of independent policy advice of EU Science Academies for EU-institutions

3. EASAC Membership 25 National Academies of Science (not Malta, Luxemburg, Cyprus and Romania) Also membership of Norway and Switzerland (as extraordinary Council members) One pan-European Academy of Science (Academia Europaea) and the association of all European Academies (ALLEA) Observer: FEAM (Federation European Academies of Medicine)

4. EASACs Purpose National Academies of Science have to be present in Brussels to fulfil their task of giving science-based policy advice High rate of national policies are attributable to EU initiatives (up to 80% of new legislation of member states stem directly or indirectly from Brussels) Special weight in Brussels of a united voice of the best scientists in Europe

5. EASAC aims to: Deliver scientifically excellent, independent, topical and politically relevant advice for the institutions of the EU Run projects that are initiated both bottom up (initiatives of member academies) and top down (eg requests from EU institutions)

6. EASACs Unique Characteristics Highly efficient network of the best scientists within the EU Political and financial independence of National Academies of Science EU-wide perspective of all reports and recommendations Scientific positions reached consensually

7. Organisational Structure of EASAC Council Bureau Secretariat Steering Panel Biosciences Secretary Biosciences Working Groups Biosciences Steering Panel Energy Secretary Energy Working Groups Energy Steering Panel Environment Secretary Environment Working Groups Environment

8. Recent EASAC Reports Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials on Health (October 2011) Lay Summary Synthetic Biology (February 2011) Synthesis Report: Infectious Diseases (April 2011) Synthetic Biology (December 2010) Groundwater Situation in Southern Europe (June 2010) Climate Change and Infectious Diseases (March 2010) Transforming Europes Electricity Supply (June 2009) Drug-resistant Tubercolosis (March 2009) Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity (February 2009)

9. Current Working Groups Concentrating Solar Power Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Sustainable Biofuels Adaptation to Extreme Weather Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Carbon Capture and Storage

10. Evidence-based policies – do they work? Key objectives Authoritative Repeatable Safe Independent International