The UK and the Antarctic environment [revived]

Environmental Audit Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 5 Dec 2024 Parliament page
The Environmental Audit Committee in the 2024 Parliament has revived the Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research's inquiry into The UK and the Antarctic Environment . In this revived inquiry the Committee will explore the effects of climate change in Antarctica, and the role that UK science can play in … Read more
34 Recommendations
40 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
4 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 8 events
11 Sep
2025
Report published
11 Sep
2025
Correspondence
9 Jun
2025
Report published
23 Jan
2025
Correspondence
23 Jan
2025
Correspondence
23 Jan
2025
Correspondence
11 Dec
2024
Oral evidence
11 Dec
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
11 Dec 2024
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2; Panel 3
Dr Iain Williams · Natural Environment Research Council James Gray · Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research (2023–24) Jane Rumble OBE · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Professor Dame Jane Francis DCMG · British Antarctic Survey Stephen Doughty MP · Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office The Lord Vallance of Balham KCB · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarctic environment HC 499 9 Jun 2025 74 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Expand joint research efforts in polar science for informed Antarctic Treaty System decisions.
The UK’s expertise in polar science presents a valuable opportunity for strengthening international collaboration. We recommend expanding joint research efforts, particularly in areas such as marine conservation, land ecology, and ice sheet modelling. By contributing robust scientific data, the UK … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation in part, citing current involvement in significant international science projects like Thwaites Glacier, BIOPOLE, and SWAIS2C collaborations. They state that any further expansion of these efforts will be contingent on future budget allocations.
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14 Conclusion Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Expand UK research on Antarctic glaciers and ice sheets for sea level rise projections.
The accelerated melting of Antarctic ice is becoming one of the most significant drivers of global sea level rise, which poses an increasing threat to coastal communities worldwide, including in the UK. To enhance the accuracy of sea level rise … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, acknowledging the importance of research and existing efforts, but states that any significant expansion of Antarctic research would depend on future budget allocations and other R&D priorities.
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26 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Increase long-term funding for British Antarctic Survey terrestrial biodiversity research and ecological specialists.
To address this urgent gap, the Government should increase long-term core funding to the British Antarctic Survey to support its terrestrial biodiversity research. Investment should prioritise the recruitment, training, and retention of ecological specialists, ensuring sustained expertise in Antarctic terrestrial … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, explaining that Antarctic research priorities have evolved beyond traditional terrestrial ecosystems and that funding for talented researchers and competitive project grants is available through existing mechanisms like UKRI and NERC, but does not commit to increasing *core* funding specifically for BAS's terrestrial biodiversity research.
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59 Conclusion Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Insufficient funding undermines UK's world-leading polar research capabilities and impact.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
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67 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Expand reciprocal polar research partnerships with key nations to strengthen leadership.
Given the demonstrated success of bilateral funding agreements, such as those between UKRI-NERC and partners in the US, Brazil, Luxembourg, and Norway, we recommend that the Government work with the Natural Environment Research Council to expand these reciprocal arrangements. In … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, noting existing strong partnerships with some listed nations (Australia, Germany, Sweden) and opportunities through Horizon Europe, but acknowledges that partnerships with South Korea and New Zealand are less developed.
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69 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Establish long-term funding for Antarctica InSync to ensure UK participation and leadership.
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. … Read more
Government Response
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.
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71 Conclusion Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Prioritise RRS Sir David Attenborough for dedicated research, chartering logistics vessels where possible.
We have heard strong concerns from the Antarctic research community about the Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) shift to a “one ship plus” model and the reduction of the research fleet from two vessels to one. This has already led … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, defending the RRS Sir David Attenborough's operating model which uses its increased capacity for both scientific and logistical activities efficiently. They state that the UK already uses a flexible approach, including chartering other vessels, but affirm the SDA's dual role rather than committing to prioritise its use solely for dedicated research.
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72 Conclusion Accepted in Part
3rd Report - The UK and the Antarc…
Conduct comprehensive review of NERC's 'single vessel plus' policy by 2030.
By 2030, the Natural Environment Research Council should conduct a comprehensive review of the “single vessel plus” policy, evaluating its impact on Antarctic and Arctic marine science, particularly regarding the delays to approved research projects. The review should focus on … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, detailing existing annual and long-term review frameworks (like the Cruise Programme Review Group, CPEB, and BAS forward looks) that already address aspects of science delivery, scheduling, resource allocation, and alternative vessels. They do not commit to a new comprehensive review of the 'single vessel plus' policy by 2030 as specifically recommended, but rely on these ongoing processes.
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Government Response AI assessment · 74 of 34 classified
Accepted 25
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 39
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 1
Total 34 recs + 40 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
11 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the FCDO Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories relating to The UK and the Antarctic environment Government response, 24 July 2025
Parliament page
23 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), relating to Antarctic tourism, dated 17 January 2025
Parliament page
23 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair of the Committee to the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), relating to Antarctic tourism, dated 18 December 2024
Parliament page
23 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation (Department for Science, Innovation & Technology), relating to the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, dated January 2025
Parliament page