For the collection of data a special internet platform and online questionnaire was developed. The online database provides a directory of submitted research programmes and other relevant documents (e.g. national strategies), which can be accessed online at http://www.global-issues-rtd.info

The WBC-INCO.NET deliverable D3.15 is based on information received from correspondents in the WBCs through a web-based online questionnaire, as well as on information gained through desk research carried out by staff of the Centre for Social Innovation Vienna.

Gathering all the information turned out to be a big challenge, which could be accomplished only partially. The general problem is that in the research area of climate change, specific programmes do not exist in the WBCs so far. None of the WBCs has implemented a special national research programme on climate change until now. Further information can be found on http://www.global-issues-rtd.info/programmes/list

However, some WBCs have formulated several governmental climate change strategies, which are often directly linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC. Some of those strategies have already been adopted or are still in preparation. Currently, several RTD projects related to climate change are carried out in the WBCs. However, specific programmes including a coherent set of RTD activities over a wider area of scientific disciplines, clear sources of funding and long-term plans could not be identified in the WBCs.

A positive development in this regard was the establishment of the South East European Climate Change Framework Action Plan for Adaption (SEE/CCFAP-A) platform in cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe in November 2008. SEE/CCFAP-A intends to intensify the cooperation between all participating countries in the development of regional programmes concerning climate change issues. This could also foster the development of national climate change research programmes and strategies.

This study is a pilot case in the development of a common database on national science policies dealing with global issues with “climate change” as a major “global issue” in this case. This first exercise with a manageable number of countries has been very useful, unveiling very valuable insights and potentials for improvement of the approach in the collection of data. This experience is also useful for the other INCO-nets such as SEA-EU-NET and IncoNet EECA. The first draft of the report was available in December 2008 and is updated annually for the duration of the project. The next update will be available in September 2010.

Authors: Miroslav Polzer, Gorazd Weiss.