Communicating scientific uncertainty in advice provision to decision makers: Review of approaches and recommendations for UK Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies.

Description

Project Aims - It is essential for decision makers (e.g. regulatory authorities, government ministers) to be aware of sources of uncertainty in any advice provided to them in order to ensure an informed and legally compliant determination is made and that relevant policy is achieved. However, knowledge that an impact is uncertain is of little benefit to a decision maker without the level of uncertainty and the potential consequences of this uncertainty being clearly communicated and understood. The aim of this project is to review current approaches used across a variety of disciplines that communicate/ present scientific uncertainty and its possible consequences to decision makers. The review should not limit itself to approaches/ tools used within the UK, but should ensure it considers the appropriateness of any potential frameworks/ approaches/ tools etc to the UK regulatory framework. The focus of this project for the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) , is in advice provision to regulatory authorities in a marine nature conservation context, but depending on the outcome of the review the recommendations may be applicable to non-marine disciplines. The project will review current approaches/ tools, consider stakeholder views and provide recommendations for the SNCBs to consider in their work going forward.

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