Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 59
59
Accepted in Part
Insufficient funding undermines UK's world-leading polar research capabilities and impact.
Conclusion
The UK must be properly equipped to address the major research priorities in the polar regions. Antarctic research plays a critical role in advancing global understanding of climate change, ocean systems, and polar ecosystems, issues that affect lives and economies far beyond the region. Despite the UK’s world-leading capabilities, the Committee heard clear and consistent evidence that insufficient and uncertain funding is the chief limiting factor to delivering impactful science. Without increased investment, the UK risks undermining its ability to contribute to global environmental monitoring and decision-making at a time when such leadership is urgently needed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 260) 104
Government response summary AI-generated
The government partially accepts this conclusion, noting it has published guidance for awarding ten-year R&D funding to provide certainty to research organizations. It also highlights significant ongoing investments in Antarctic research and infrastructure by UKRI and NERC, including around £60 million annually for interdisciplinary research and additional competitive funding.
Government Response
The government responded to this report on 11 September 2025. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗