6, rue du Général Clergerie Paris Science and precaution A complex connection Claire Weill, Iddri The Hague, May 12, 2004

Precaution in international declarations and conventions Rio declaration, Convention on climate change, Article 3, principles A major political step A clear role of science in raising concerns of human activities in the environment –But also perhaps a misunderstanding on the role of science –Role of “other factors” in collective preferences

The Heidelberg appeal A denial of the role of alert played by scientists and of the non scientific considerations in policy-making  Towards an opposition between “acting science” and “enlightening science”? The reality is of course much more complex

Science in society The demands on scientists are of two kinds –Promotion of innovation –Description of the effects oh human activities on environment and health From “laws of nature” to interaction between man and “the environment” – a major change of perspective

How to progress? Data collection and harmonisation (climate) Access to data of other countries (crisis) Agencies for risk assessment (EU, MS) The case of IPCC : exception or model?

Conclusion Scientists have still to analyze their practices: –Status of research, of potential applications and of public intervention The presentation of expertise to policymakers has to improve Organization of expertise has to take into account the different time horizons and constraints of science and policy