30 April 2015: The UNFCCC Secretariat has prepared a note presenting actions it has undertaken to enhance the availability and visibility of scientific information on the Convention’s website. The document (FCCC/SBSTA/2015/INF.1), which draws from information available on the UNFCCC’s website and social media sites, will be considered by the 42nd session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 42), scheduled to take place from 1-11 June in Bonn, Germany.

SBSTA 40 requested the Secretariat to further enhance the availability of scientific information through: social media; the UNFCCC E-Newsletter; the UNFCCC calendar of science events; and integrating web-based scientific information from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other relevant stakeholders. The report prepared by the Secretariat presents a summary of progress made.

Actions undertaken are summarized in the areas of: the science web pages of the UNFCCC website; the UNFCCC Newsroom; UNFCCC social media, including the UNFCCC Adaptation Exchange on Facebook and the UNFCCC Twitter account; and other online information tools, including the UNFCCC E-Newsletter.

The report concludes that, inter alia: despite a relatively low level of visits to the UNFCCC website’s science section, the redesign and updates have increased the number of visitors; the UNFCCC Newsroom includes articles referring to scientific information; and the UNFCCC E-Newsletter includes a new science-specific section. The document identifies as ways to further enhance the availability and visibility of scientific information: “synergizing” and linking with relevant work under UNFCCC agenda items; strengthening the use of social media; and publishing relevant information on the UNFCCC Newsroom webpages. [Publication: Report on the Further Enhancement of the Availability and Visibility of Scientific Information Relevant to the Convention on the UNFCCC Website] [UNFCCC Science Webpages] [UNFCCC Adaptation Exchange Facebook Page]