Translating Research Results into Policy Insights to Underpin Climate Action in Ireland

Abstract

This chapter presents innovative processes that have been developed and used to bridge the interface between the research ecosystem and policy-making ecosystem. It focuses on a specific case study, namely how energy systems modelling has been used to inform energy and climate mitigation policies in Ireland. We trace the development of energy systems modelling tools and capacity in Ireland over the past 15 years, and the key role it has played in addressing important policy questions related to delivery of a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We also outline the parallel evolution of novel research communications methods, proactive engagement programmes with policy practitioners and co-production processes. Specific examples of energy and climate mitigation policies are highlighted to demonstrate how the research results have been used together with the communication and engagement methods not only to inform but also to underpin policy developments. The contributions of this work to the SDGs are highlighted, in particular SDG 13 on climate and SDG 7 on energy, but also SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production and SDG 17 on partnerships. We conclude with a proposed seven stage approach, for energy modellers who wish to successfully bridge between the research and policy eco-systems, namely (1) undertake scientifically robust research, making methods and results openly and publicly available (2) frame research questions that respond to specific policy needs, (3) translate research results into policy insights (4) improve communications of research findings including through use of infographics (5) engage actively with policy practitioners and policy makers (6) co-produce policy with policy practitioners and (7) build absorptive capacity in the policy system.