The „2020 Virtual Forum on Earth System Governance“ took place from 15 to 18 September 2020. This three-day conference, hosted virtually by the University of Utrecht and the Earth System Governance network, aimed to stimulate academic debate and discussion in the field of Earth System Governance and at the same time to identify approaches that will take research into implementation. Several DIE researchers contributed to sessions in their respective research areas. One of these was the Semi-Plenary I: „Global Regimes of Knowing: Science Policy for Earth System Governance“ – hosted by DIE and Klimalog and moderated by Steffen Bauer. The event explored the serious differences between science systems globally, as well as the policy advisory platforms from the scientific community, which were addressed in a keynote address by Anna-Katharina Hornidge. Representatives from UN Environment, Jared Bosire, and the University of Brasilia, Cristina Yumi Aoki Inoue, reflected on these challenges with a special focus on how to address them from the different sectors.