At the 2nd Annual Meeting of the LCS-RNet, members of the Network gathered in Berlin, Germany on  20-21 September 2010 to discuss topics connected to the transition to low carbon societies. During the Meeting, whose synthesis report is now available at the LCS-RNet web site, participants discussed the state of the art of each country and possible plans and actions for a low carbon future. The technological innovations had an important role in the discussions as well as the engagement of stakeholders, governments and citizens. A special session of the meeting was dedicated to the role of the science in order to pint out how economics and social science could advance a LCS.

The major findings of the Meeting could be highlighted in ten key point included in the Synthesis Report and that are the followings (the full version of the list is in the Meeting’s Synthesis Report, pdf):

1. Using the significant progress that has been made in LCS research and policy design,it is time to craft measures for implementation.
2. All stakeholders need to be made aware that short-term costs are countered by longerterm benefits.
3. Inter-linkages among society’s components must be understood in the effort to devise feasible and effective policy.
4. Technologies and R&D alone cannot attain LCS.
5. Modelling implications and limitations must be correctly understood.
6. Multi-level governance in a multi-level world is necessary for promoting LCS.
7. International cooperation is central to the LCS transition.
8. Mobilising private sector investment in a desirable direction is a key to achieving LCS.
9. Civil society participation is crucial to mobilising acceptance for LCS actions.
10. ‘Science in transition’ can forge inter-linkages among issues, and more importantly,can be an agent of change.

For further information:

• The LCS-RNet web site.
• Low carbon society in Italy
• LCS-RNet, the International Network for a low carbon society
• Transition path towards low carbon societies. LCS-RNet side event at Cop15

Picture by pcesarperez