Eklipse plays a key role in enhancing evidence informed decision-making on biodiversity by facilitating structured, transparent and inclusive processes. Its activities have generated measurable impacts on scientific knowledge production, policy development, and the strengthening of the science–policy interface in Europe. This page provides an overview of these contributions and some concrete examples.
Impacts
Eklipse’s impact in Europe
We answered their requests
Scientific Impacts
At Eklipse, we are dedicated to understanding our influence on the scientific community. To achieve this, we use academic metrics to evaluate the relevance and integration of our request processes in scholarly publications.
We invite you to explore some notable examples of how Eklipse outputs have impacted scientific research. For a comprehensive overview of all our scientific contributions, please check out our detailed section on Eklipse’s scientific impact.
- Generation of peer-reviewed research directly from Eklipse requests:
A recent example: “Comparing nature conservation policies using a Bayesian belief network: Modelling sequential effects on adoption, farming practices, and biodiversity”, Biber‐Freudenberger, L., Kamau, J. W., Whitney, C., & Mattsson, B published in Conservation Science and Practice (25 September 2025) as a direct outcome of an Eklipse Business Request
- Stimulating broad academic use and citation of Eklipse reports:
The evidence report on the “Impact evaluation framework for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)” (2017) has been cited by numerous scientific articles (397). The scientific article developed from the report has been cited more than 1525 times.
- Advancing methodological innovation in knowledge synthesis:
Eklipse developed a suite of about 20 knowledge synthesis methods and matches them to each request individually, ensuring rigorous and appropriate evidence synthesis.
- Broadening the scope of what counts as “evidence”:
Eklipse does not limit itself to conventional academic literature, but it also draws on local knowledge, technical knowledge, stakeholder expertise, and other knowledge holders to produce a holistic, context-sensitive synthesis. A good example is the Pollinis request: “What do we currently know about the impacts of pesticide and fertiliser use in farmland on the effectiveness of adjacent pollinator conservation measures such as flower strips and hedgerows, and what additional research is needed?”
Through these efforts, Eklipse ensures that science is not only produced, but also synthesised and packaged in a way that is usable for decision-makers across disciplines and knowledge types.
Policy Impacts
Eklipse focuses on bridging science and policy. By synthesising robust scientific knowledge, Eklipse ensures that decisions o biodiversity and ecosystem services are informed by the best available evidence.
We invite you to explore some significant examples of how Eklipse outputs have impacted policy.
- Influencing policy-relevant frameworks and decisions:
- Impacts of Offshore Wind Farm Expansion:
In October 2025, a significant report titled “Impacts of Offshore Wind Farm Expansion: What Are the Consequences for Achieving Good Environmental Status Across European Marine Waters?” was released. Developed by an interdisciplinary Eklipse Expert Working Group, this report has been commissioned by the Directorate-General for Environment (DG Environment) to enhance the understanding of offshore wind farm impacts. The findings are crucial for supporting the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), particularly concerning monitoring, assessment, avoidance, and mitigation of pressures that could obstruct the achievement of Good Environmental Status in EU marine waters. Additionally, preliminary results have been utilised by the Marine Strategy Coordination Group (MSCG). - Strategic Research Agenda on Biodiversity and Pandemics:This report was prepared by an independent Eklipse Expert Working Group (2022–2023) commissioned by multiple European Commission DGs and partner organisations. It resulted in recommendations to inform a strategic research agenda on biodiversity and pandemics. The report influenced Horizon Call HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01, which encouraged proposals building on Eklipse findings.Two projects were funded under this call:
- Impacts of Offshore Wind Farm Expansion:
Actionable Impacts
Following the conclusion of the original Horizon 2020 project, Eklipse, as a self-sustaining knowledge-brokering mechanism, remains actively engaged in several major EU initiatives, including initiating and co-leading the BioAgora project. We are dedicated to addressing the evolving knowledge needs of the European Commission by supporting evidence-based decision-making and advancing Science–Policy Interfaces (SPI) across Europe.
We are committed to delivering valuable insights that effectively support ongoing EU projects and facilitate informed decision-making. Eklipse goes beyond merely producing knowledge; we enable concrete actions and actively contribute to the further development of Science Policy Interfaces (SPIs) in Europe. For example:
- Science Service for Biodiversity
Eklipse is actively co-developing the EU Science Service for Biodiversity by initiating and co-leading the Horizon Europe BioAgora project. This initiative implements a key action of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which calls for “the establishment of a science-policy mechanism (‘Science Service’) to provide research-based policy options and support the implementation of biodiversity commitments.” Through this work, Eklipse contributes to strengthening Science–Policy Interfaces (SPI) and enhancing evidence-informed decision-making across Europe.
- EU Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity ticketing system:
Eklipse’s influence on EU policy processes is highlighted in the following acknowledgement by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre:
“We would also like to acknowledge EKLIPSE (https://eklipse.eu/), since this protocol is based to a large extent on the EKLIPSE process.” European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Protocol for handling policy requests received by the EC’s Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity. Version 1, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/9285930
- Platform for Knowledge Needs:
FutureMARES, an EU-funded research project examining the relationships between climate change, marine biodiversity, and ecosystem services, has created a platform that adopts a simplified and adapted version of the Eklipse approach. This platform is oriented at policy makers, managers, practitioners and policy-related stakeholders to request the development of specific knowledge products and expertise on Nature-Based Solutions and sustainable Nature-inclusive Harvesting solutions aligned with global climate and biodiversity policy needs and objectives.
By adapting the Eklipse process, the platform addresses a common gap between science and policy: the mismatch between the supply and demand of policy-relevant research. The co-creation of evidence-informed solutions between decision-makers and project experts within FutureMARES helped bridge the science-policy gap in the project. The platform for knowledge needs also enabled FutureMARES to co-develop end products that could directly contribute to different stages of policy development and implementation, beyond those initially foreseen in the project.
Societal & Media Impacts
Eklipse continuously generates societal and policy impacts through its active involvement in a wide range of international conferences, workshops, and collaborative events. By engaging with research initiatives, policy platforms, and science–policy interface (SPI) actors, Eklipse fosters knowledge exchange, co-development of tools and strategies, and the strengthening of science-informed decision-making across Europe and beyond.
Societal and Policy Engagement
Key examples of these ongoing activities include:
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IPOS: Exchange of best practices through two dedicated meetings.
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Biodiversa+: Organisation of workshops to co-develop a collaboration strategy and joint activities supporting the establishment of the Science Service, including contributions to the update of the Biodiversa+ Stakeholder Engagement Strategy Handbook and the co-development of a stakeholder engagement strategy for the EU Biodiversity Partnership (e.g. 21 March 2025).
- BioAgora, CO-OP4CBD and RESPIN: Workshops to explore collaboration opportunities and initiate joint activities (e.g. 17 June 2024; 22 May 2025).
Project reference: BioAgora – HORIZON-CL6-2021-BIODIV-01-19 (Grant Agreement No. 101059438). -
EcoReady: Exchange on ethical infrastructure development.
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RESTOREID: Collaboration on the development of a Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) on restoration and health.
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EmpowerUs: Exchange on the co-development of Eklipse processes related to empowerment tools.
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F2P (European Commission – REA, DG RTD, DG ENV): Two meetings to explore alignment and potential future collaboration.
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The Montpellier Process: Co-organisation of a session at the SAM Conference (May 2025).
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GSPI: Lecturer at the GSPI summer school.
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EGU Science Policy Office: Monthly meetings to discuss advances and updates related to the science–policy interface.
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INRAE Science Policy Office: Dedicated meeting to exchange experiences, alongside continued interactions at SPI-related events.
Through these sustained engagements, Eklipse strengthens its visibility, relevance, and influence at the science–policy–society interface, contributing to more inclusive, transparent, and impactful environmental governance.
Media and Policy Outreach
Eklipse also achieves significant media and societal impact by actively disseminating its findings to a broad audience and supporting informed public debate:
- Media coverage amplifying Eklipse findings to a broad audience
For example, the report on “Impacts of ElectroMagnetic Radiation (EMR) on wildlife” (2018) generated coverage in international media outlets and public debate, highlighting biodiversity risks associated with modern infrastructure. - Raising the profile of biodiversity and ecosystem-service issues in public discourse
By making evidence accessible, timely and relevant, Eklipse helps shift biodiversity — and the ecosystem-services concept — from niche scientific topics into broader policy and societal awareness, contributing to the environmental agenda across Europe. - Facilitating knowledge dissemination through modern communication channels
Eklipse leverages multiple forms of outreach — including reports, policy briefs, workshops, webinars, and podcast episodes — to reach audiences beyond academia and policy circles.
