The Spanish government has officially approved the creation of a new scientific panel designed to provide independent, multidisciplinary analysis to inform public decision-making on climate change. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities alongside the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, aims to integrate expert knowledge into the heart of government policy.
According to official statements, the new working group will be responsible for issuing reports based on scientific evidence, developing response protocols, and outlining future scenarios related to the climate emergency. Beyond routine policy guidance, the panel is tasked with providing specialized advice to assist the government during crises and emergency situations. The selection process for the scientific staff who will populate the panel’s functional structure is scheduled to take place over the summer, with the team expected to be fully operational by the autumn.
The governance structure of the panel will operate on two distinct levels. An organizational and technical committee will oversee the project, coordinate the expert selection process, and manage requests for reports. Simultaneously, a scientific council will be responsible for conducting research and providing specialized advice. This council will consist of ten researchers of recognized standing, drawing from a diverse array of fields including climate science, ecology, geography, water resources, sustainable agriculture, health, the marine environment, engineering for the ecological transition, environmental law, environmental sociology, and behavioral sciences.
The establishment of this panel fulfills the primary objective of the State Pact on the Climate Emergency, which was originally introduced by the government in September 2025. The final proposal was the result of an extensive participatory process that incorporated nearly 4,000 contributions from approximately 1,300 stakeholders. The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities emphasized that the group’s work will be essential for strengthening the integration of expert knowledge into public decision-making processes.
Other responsibilities include drawing up response protocols and answering queries to guide public policies both in normal circumstances and during "crises and emergencies". It will also carry out foresight exercises to anticipate future scenarios arising from the climate emergency.
