January 2012: The Global Environmental Change (GEC) Research Community is releasing a series of policy briefs for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). The aim of the briefs is to give policy makers in the Rio+20 process access to the latest scientific thinking on sustainable development issues.

The briefs “for a Planet under Pressure” are developed by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environment Change (IHDP), DIVERSITAS, the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP) and the International Council for Science (ICSU).

The briefs form part of the scientific preparations for the conference, “Planet Under Pressure: New Knowledge Towards Solutions,” being held in London, UK, in March 2012. The publications address issues of importance to Rio+20, with a focus on the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD). Each contains a summary of the challenges being discussed and policy recommendations for addressing the challenges.

Five policy briefs are currently available, on: water security; food security; biodiversity and ecosystems; transforming governance and institutions; and interconnected risks and challenges. Four more policy briefs will be published soon, according to ICSU, addressing: energy security; health; well-being; and green economy. ICSU intends to distribute the briefs during the Rio+20 Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings, and draw attention to their key messages. [ICSU News Release]