Select committee: Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 21
Sixth Report - The UK and the Arctic Environment
Published 13 Oct 2023
Paragraph 159
Environmental Audit Committee All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
More interdisciplinary research on the Arctic is needed to bring together the physical consequences of climate change with its impacts on communities in the region. Such research can provide a more holistic view of the changes occurring in the Arctic so that better informed decisions can be made. The Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme highlights the positive impact that UK cross- disciplinary work can have. But to consolidate and build on its position as a world leader in Arctic research, the UK must significantly expand its interdisciplinary output. We appreciate that this is dependent on wider funding structures beyond specifically Arctic research. Consequently, we recommend that UKRI should review how its funding structures for Arctic research can better incorporate interdisciplinary projects across the natural and social science, and use its findings from the Arctic as a case study model.
From: Environmental Audit Committee, Sixth Report - The UK and the Arctic Environment (HC 1141), paragraph 159, 13 October 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 28 December 2023 (deadline 13 December 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government's response agrees with some recommendations, partially agrees with others, and disagrees with the proposals for an Arctic Envoy, an additional research ship, a dedicated coordinating body and a national Arctic research plan.
- On ministerial coordination, the government agrees and says it is "looking to build on this by establishing a Ministerial group" of Ministers whose portfolios concern the Arctic, which "would meet periodically".
- It disagrees with appointing an Arctic Envoy, saying responsibility "best sits with" the Minister for the Polar Regions in the FCDO, and disagrees with a strategic national Arctic research plan because it "would not add significant value".
- On research ships, it disagrees with an additional vessel, stating that total research time available for Arctic work in any given year is "likely to be 45–50 days" for the RRS Sir David Attenborough, and points to other NOC ships and partnerships with other countries.
- On fisheries, it agrees and is "committed to joining CAOFA at the earliest possible opportunity". On deep-sea mining it partially agrees, supporting a moratorium on exploitation licences at the ISA.