Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation 5

5 Acknowledged

Convene Polar Regions Ministerial Group regularly to maintain strategic focus on critical regions

Recommendation
We commend the establishment of the Polar Regions Ministerial Group as recommended in our predecessor Committee’s report on The UK and the Arctic environment, and welcome its expansion to include Antarctic issues. Our predecessor Committee hoped that this ministerial group would address the complexities of polar issues, spanning environmental protection, scientific research, and geopolitical interests, and break down 94 silos in the Government’s approach to polar matters. We recommend that the Government continues to convene the Polar Regions Ministerial Group regularly to maintain a strategic focus on these critical regions, ensuring that emerging challenges and opportunities are addressed in a timely and co-ordinated manner. (Recommendation, Paragraph 33) Governing the Antarctic environment
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation but does not provide specific details on its plan to ensure the Polar Regions Ministerial Group continues to convene regularly or how it will ensure timely responses to challenges.
Government Response Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
. The Government accepts this recommendation.