Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 69
69
Accepted in Part
Establish long-term funding for Antarctica InSync to ensure UK participation and leadership.
Recommendation
We recognise the importance of the Antarctica InSync programme, where 26 nations will collaborate during the 2028–29 Antarctic season to conduct synchronous climate measurements across land, sea, air, and space, with results presented during the International Polar Year in 2032–33. To ensure full UK participation and leadership in Antarctica InSync, we recommend that the Government and the Natural Environment Research Council establish long-term funding mechanisms for the project that extend beyond annual or short-term spending reviews. Stable, multi-year funding will allow UK researchers to contribute effectively to planning, fieldwork, and data analysis, and will help maintain the UK’s global standing in Antarctic science during this landmark international initiative. (Recommendation, Paragraph 284)
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, stating NERC is considering how the UK can best participate in Antarctica InSync. They highlight that NERC research institutes like BAS already receive long-term funding, suggesting existing mechanisms support some elements, but they do not commit to establishing new long-term funding mechanisms specifically for the project itself.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The Government partially accepts this recommendation. 90. NERC is considering how the UK research community can best participate in the Antarctica InSync programme to maximise the outcomes of the initiative. NERC research institutes, including the BAS, are major strategic investments for UKRI, which receive long-term funding from NERC for investment in data, modelling and research capabilities and logistics for the wider research community. Institute-funding lifecycles are longer than typical fiscal periods. This investment is balanced within the wider portfolio of investments across the rest of the research and innovation system.