A call to action: the role of physics in delivering the global green economy.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “a green economy isdefined as low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive1.” Furthermore, theOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines green growth as“fostering economic growth and development, while ensuring that natural assets continue
to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well-being relies2.”
Nations are collaborating to mitigate the negative impacts of the global climate crisis. As
politicians embrace the notion of a green economy, scientists, engineers, and social
scientists are mobilising to meet the challenge. The evolving concept of a green economy
relies on the commercialisation of breakthrough technologies, which themselves rely on
research and development at a fundamental level. Interdisciplinary collaboration amongscientists is essential in providing the transformative technologies needed to evolve andimplement the green economy, within the timescale required. The ultimate goal offundamental research is to enhance the innovation needed to drive global economic growth
in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way, one that is both economically
successful and globally inclusive.
Physics plays an important part in all our lives and particularly in our understanding of theclimate. Pioneering efforts to reduce energy consumption, diminish pollution, and develop
more efficient processes are currently being researched and developed by teams ofphysicists and colleagues from neighbouring disciplines. For example, innovation inadvanced materials research has reduced the cost of solar electricity 100-fold in the last twodecades3. Ongoing innovations in hydrogen energy storage, generation of electricity,
nuclear power, superconductivity, areas of spintronics, semiconductor devices, andquantum science and technology, are all part of the suite of innovation programs that willplay a key role in expanding future green energy resources.
Fundamentals for future scientific progress
As physicists, we identify three fundamentals for ongoing scientific breakthroughs andinnovations to support the global green economy:
A multidisciplinary approach: achieving significant and sustainable societal change
requires multi-and trans-disciplinary ways of working. For physicists that means
collaborating with engineers, chemists, biologists, social scientists, and medical
researchers, and with economists, lawyers, policy experts and government leaders andofficials. Science and engineering can develop technologies that tackle global challenges
and physicists will partner with other disciplines to underpin our understanding of the

1 https://www.unep.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/regional-initiatives/supporting-resource-efficiency/green-economy
2 http://www.oecd.org/greengrowth/
3 https://www.nrel.gov/news/press/1999/299phys.html

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physical world in support of a green economy, while also advancing structural andbehavioural societal change.
National policies that support scientific mobility: the physical sciences workforce inacademia and industry is multinational, interdisciplinary, and funded throughinternational as well as national systems. Successful international collaboration requires
continued funding of multinational projects and policies that enable the free movementof scientists across national borders.
A diverse and inclusive workforce: a diversity of background, thought, and experienceenriches teams, enhances innovation, and realises more fully the enormous potential of
the global physics community. Physicists must commit to recruiting a diverse student
body and teaching, recognising, and celebrating the importance and value of aninclusive, welcoming, and collaborative approach to the conduct of our sciences.

Call to action
Physicists worldwide will partner with national governments toward combatting thechallenges of climate change and contributing to the global green economy. In doing so, ourapproach will include contributions from government and scientific partners.
Commitments from physics societies: national physical societies and federations, bothindividually and as a collective, will:

Build on the achievements of physics in understanding, tracking, addressing, andalleviating the global climate crisis. We will continue to support international
collaboration, work across scientific and other disciplines, and support trans-disciplinary
projects.
Improve global scientific literacy through physics education; advocate for greater
investment in physics research and innovation; empower our physics communities toengage in policy development; and work with our governments to prioritise physicsbased R&D.
Commit to welcoming minoritized, excluded and marginalised peoples to build careers inphysics and emphasize the importance of diversity and belonging in enhancing
teamwork, maximizing research and innovation, and facilitating international
collaboration.

Request to governments: we ask that governments promote and fund multinational
scientific collaborations and devise national policies that uphold four fundamental scientificfreedoms, as identified by the International Science Council (ISC)4:

Freedom of movement.
Freedom of association.
Freedom of expression and communication.

4 https://council.science/current/news/statement-on-concerns-for-scientific-freedom-around-the-world/

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Freedom of access to data and information.

We recognise that these freedoms require scientists to uphold the foundations of research
integrity: including objectivity, honesty, openness, accountability, fairness, disclosure, andstewardship5. Nonetheless, as the ISC asserts, “the rigorous practice of science is essential
to addressing the global challenges currently facing society. For progress to be equitable andeffective, scientists must have the right to scientific freedom, with due respect andprotection from all states and governments around the world.”6Nov. 17, 2021
Signed by: American Institute of Physics; American Physical Society; Canadian Association ofPhysicists; Chinese Physical Society; French Physical Society; Indian Physics Association;
Institute of Physics for the UK and Ireland; Italian Physical Society; The International Unionof Pure and Applied Physics; The Japan Society of Applied Physics; Netherlands’ PhysicalSociety; Optica (formerly OSA); The Physical Society of Japan.

5 Many of these principles are described in the National Academies Report Fostering Integrity in Research, NAP21896,

National Academies (2017)
6 https://council.science/current/news/statement-on-concerns-for-scientific-freedom-around-the-world/