Spain creates scientific panel to guide climate‑change policy

The Spanish cabinet approved the establishment of a new scientific panel to support climate‑change action. The body, overseen by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, will provide independent, multidisciplinary analyses for public‑policy making during both normal conditions and climate‑related emergencies.

The ten‑member scientific council will include experts in climate science, environment, geography, water resources, sustainable agriculture, health, marine science, engineering, environmental law, environmental sociology and behavioural science. It will issue evidence‑based reports, propose response protocols and develop scenario planning for future climate impacts. Governance will involve a technical‑organizational committee and the scientific council, with a summer recruitment drive to select the panel’s staff.

The move follows a record wildfire season in Spain, highlighted by the Avila fire that burned more than 77,000 ha—the largest in the nation’s history—forcing over 63,000 evacuations and incurring firefighting costs estimated at €3.275 billion.