Documents

Guide to the XXIII SCAR Delegates Meeting

Includes:

• annotated agenda (WP02)
• list of documents (WP03)
• meeting timetable (WP04)

and Executive Summaries of all papers.

SCAR XXXIII IP01: The SCAR Products

Executive Summary

Title: The SCAR Products

Authors: M Sparrow 

Introduction/ Background: For the benefit of SCAR scientists and the wider community (including the Committee for Environmental Protection), SCAR provides several products that support the work of SCAR scientists but are also made widely available to others. These products provide scientific information in a form that is useful to scientists and others, for example providing meteorological data (Met-READER) or biodiversity data (e.g. biodiversity.aq) in a more easily usable format or providing access to information on bathymetry in the Southern Ocean (IBCSO).

Important Issues or Factors: Highlights since the last Delegates’ Meeting include the production of IBCSO Version 1.0, publication of BEDMAP 2 and amalgamation of SCAR MarBIN and ANTABIF into Biodiversity.aq

Partners: SCAR products rely on national efforts to lead with the SCAR Products. Some Products are joint with other organisations e.g. IBCSO is SCAR, IODC and the IHO

Budget Implications: Some Products receive support from the SSGs

SCAR XXXIII IP02: Report on Partnerships

Executive Summary

Title: Partnerships

Authors:  M. Sparrow

Introduction/ Background: In pursuit of its Vision and Mission, SCAR often forms partnerships as an efficient means to achieve its goals and objectives.  SCAR’s partners include other ICSU bodies, entities of the Antarctic Treaty System, organizations with a polar focus, and organizations with a polar interest. The types of partnerships SCAR form vary considerably since each is tailored to best accomplish the shared objectives.  In some instances, formal co-sponsorship of an activity is warranted entailing shared responsibility for programme management and resourcing. SCAR is always open to, and looking for ways, to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones.

This paper summarises recent developments with regards to SCAR partnerships. The SCAR Delegates are asked to comment as appropriate.

Partners: APECS, IASC, IACS, COMNAP, CCAMLR, ICSU, SCOR, WCRP, PEI, EPB, WMO etc.

Budget Implications: Co-sponsorship does involve some budgetary commitments. This is $3000 for CliC (as previous) and $4000 for other co-sponsorships such as CLIVAR/CliC/SCAR Southern Ocean Implementation Panel, IPICS and ICED. The SOOS SSC is also jointly co-sponsored with SCOR to the sum of $8,000 (all 2014 figures). SCAR often supports APECS activities through its CBET budget line. Note that Co-sponsorships are being reviewed under item 4.4.5 (WP 20).

SCAR XXXIII IP03: SCAR MoUs and other Agreements

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR MoUs and other agreements

Authors: M Sparrow, J López-Martínez, Y-D Kim

Introduction/ Background: In pursuit of its Vision and Mission, SCAR often forms partnerships as an efficient means to achieve its goals and objectives (see IP 2). In some instances, a formal agreement is signed as a means to outline the mutual benefits of such a partnership.

Important Issues or Factors:  In 2013 several agreements were renewed during the IASC Council meeting in Poland and signed on behalf of SCAR by the SCAR President: (a) Renewal of the Letter of Agreement between SCAR, IASC and IACS, (b) Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between APECS, IASC and SCAR (c) Renewal the Memorandum of Understanding between CliC, IASC and SCAR.

In 2014, again during the IASC Council Meeting (this time in Finland), a new Memorandum of Understanding between the European Polar Board, IASC and SCAR was signed (again by the President) and the Memorandum of Understanding between the International Permafrost Association, IASC and SCAR was renewed.

MoUs and other agreements can now be viewed from the new SCAR website at: http://www.scar.org/partnerships/agreements

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  Initial discussions on a possible MoU or other agreement between SCAR and the Asian Forum on Polar Sciences (AFOPS) have been held by the SCAR EXCOM and within AFOPS. Delegates are invited to propose other agreements, noting that such agreements should be seen to encourage mutually beneficial active partnerships.  

Partners: IASC, APECS, IACS, CliC, IGS, EPB, IPA and others…

Budget Implications: N/A

SCAR XXXIII IP06: The Martha T Muse Prize

Executive Summary

Title: Martha T Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica

Authors: R. Badhe

Introduction/ Background: The Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica is a prestigious US$100,000 unrestricted award presented to an early or mid stage career researcher in the fields of Antarctic science or policy. The award recognizes and honours individuals with the potential for sustained and significant contribution that enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. The Prize is a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008. It is administered by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and awarded by the Tinker Foundation. The Selection Committee for the Prize consists of six members of the Antarctic Community representing as highly respected and diverse backgrounds (geopolitically, by discipline and by gender) as possible.

Important Issues or Factors: Established in 2009, the Muse Prize has gained global recognition within the Antarctic and general science community. Prize recipients have had international representation with winners from South Africa (2009), USA (2010), Portugal (2011), Australia (2012), UK (2013) and New Zealand (2014).

Recommendations/Actions and Justification In 2013, funding was confirmed for years, 2014-18 inclusive, with a total funding of USD >1 million (for 2014-18). The Tinker Foundation also sponsored a Colloquium of the first 5 winners, in association with the Horizon Scan, in Queenstown, New Zealand in April.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  The contribution of the Muse Prize towards honoring early and mid career leaders in Antarctic science and policy is in line with SCAR’s aims. The SCAR mission is to “be the leading non-governmental, international facilitator and advocate of research in and from the Antarctic region, to provide objective and authoritative scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty and others, and to bring emerging issues to the attention of policy makers”. The Muse Prize allows SCAR to contribute towards its mission by meeting strategic plan aims to: i) encourage excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, II) developing the capacity of early career scientists, and III) identify evolving issues and emerging frontiers in Antarctic science.

Partners: the Tinker Foundation

Budget Implications: The Muse Prize pays a Management fees to SCAR (USD 8,739) and for salaries of EO and AA (USD 14,797), a total of USD 23,536 for 2014.

SCAR XXXIII IP07: Communication Activities

Executive Summary

Title: Communication Activities

Authors: M Sparrow, R Badhe, E Griffin

Introduction/ Background: SCAR increases the visibility of the organization and its activities through Communication. SCAR develops cooperation with partners; mobilizes resources; effectively links the Secretariat staff with SCAR’s Executive Committee, scientific activities, and other organizations; ensures that all SCAR members are aware of opportunities to participate in SCAR; and establishes SCAR as the preferred source of scientific information for policy makers, scientists and journalists looking for information with respect to scientific issues in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region.

Important Issues or Factors: The new SCAR website is now live. This has been a major undertaking and the Secretariat will continue to expand the website over the coming months.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Increased visibility for SCAR, and dissemination of information in a range of matters, in order to create maximum impact.

Partners: National Antarctic Organisations’ PR groups, other international organisations such as COMNAP, IASC, Science Media Center, etc.

Budget Implications: A standard publication budget of around $2000; additional requests are made as required. 

SCAR XXXIII IP08: Plans for SCAR 2016

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR 2016 At KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 19 – 31 August 2016

Authors: Prof. Dr. Azizan Abu Samah

Introduction/ Background: The National Antarctic Research Centre of Malaysia on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Technology, & Innovation, Malaysia is given the honor to hold the SCAR 2016 OSC and Delegates Meeting at the XXXII SCAR Meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Important Issues or Factors: We are glad to inform the delegates that the progress of planning is going well and would like to welcome the SCAR community to the XXXIV SCAR Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  We hope the delegates can assist in promoting this event among our SCAR community to make this a success.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: This will be the first time the SCAR OSC will be held in Asia and we hope that there will be a stronger Asian presence in Kuala Lumpur.

Partners: Malaysian Ministry of Sciencem Technology, & Innovation (MOSTI), Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM), National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC), University of Malaya (UM)

Budget Implications: some

SCAR XXXIII IP09a: Bid to Host SCAR 2018 by Switzerland

Slides from bid presentation

SCAR XXXIII IP09b: Bid to Host SCAR 2018 by Germany

Slides from bid presentation

SCAR XXXIII IP10: Plans for ISAES 2015

Executive Summary

Title: Plans for ISAES 2015 – the 12th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences

Authors: Naresh Pant

Introduction/ Background:
Preparations for holding the XII International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences 2015 (XII ISAES-2105) in Goa, India are in full swing.  The symposium is being hosted by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa.  The Scientific Programme Committee has been constituted while the Local Organization Committee has also held its first meetings.

Important Issues or Factors:
The following progress has been achieved:

The dates for the symposium have been finalized from 13-17^th July 2015.  The venue has been finalized and the XII ISAES-2105 will be held at Merriott Hotel Goa.  The morning plenary sessions on each day will be followed by three concurrent sessions.  A webpage is functional where preliminary registrations can be made.  

The following broad themes have been listed, though session proposals from all geoscience-related fields are invited.

Broad Themes suggested for XII ISAES 2015 include:

1. Transition from persistent to dynamic ice sheet: evidence from ocean sediments
2. Comparative evolution of WAIS and EAIS during the Neogene
3. Antarctica and the supercontinent evolution
4. Cryosphere evolution in the Himalayas – Global versus Regional forcings
5. Flight of continents and vertebrate evolution
6. Large Igneous Provinces (LIP) in Gondwanaland
7. Connections between the southern continents
8. Southern ocean processes
9. Interactions between the solid earth and the cryosphere
10. Climate, Palaeoclimate and Antarctica
11. Submission of session proposals has begun from 1^st August 2014.

It has also been decided that the management of the symposium will be through a professional conference organizing company. Vendors for this have been shortlisted and the selection process is expected to be completed within August 2014.

Short presentations will be made by the Dr. S. Rajan, Director, NCAOR highlighting the progress regarding XII ISAES 2015 at the Plenary SSG meeting (24^th August 2014) as well as at the SCAR OSC at Auckland in August 2014.

SCAR XXXIII IP11: EXCOM 2013 Report (Bulletin 187)

SCAR XXXIII IP12: Secretariat Report

Executive Summary

Title: Secretariat Report

Authors: M Sparrow

Introduction/ Background: The permanent Secretariat of SCAR consists of Dr Mike Sparrow (SCAR Executive Director), Dr Renuka Badhe (SCAR Executive Officer) and Mrs Rosemary Nash (SCAR Admin Assistant – 50% time). A part time (40%), temporary (to November 2014) was employed using external funds to free up time for the EO to work on the Horizon Scan activity.

Important Issues or Factors: With less than 2.5 permanent staff the Secretariat has a very high workload. It is telling that when people visit the Secretariat for the first time they tend to expect a much larger workforce. The Secretariat major activities include preparation for EXCOM/Delegates meetings, the Open Science Conferences, and the Treaty as well as, to a lesser extent, meetings such as COMNAP, CCAMLR etc. For the EO running the Martha T Muse Prize as well as the Finances, and Capacity Building activities such as the SCAR medals, Fellowships, Visiting Professorships are also time consuming as is the reporting for all grants undertaken. In 2013/14, these were the Muse Prize (Tinker Foundation), SCARMarBIN/COSMOS grant, Climate Communications grants, GBIF and ISMASS (ICSU and others). Between Oct 2012 and July 2013 (before the project officer was employed) a significant portion of EO working time was also spent on the Horizon Scan activities. It should be noted that a significant amount of the Secretariat’s time is taken up with dealing with routine matters such as managing day to day finances, replying to queries and other communication activities as well as dealing with matters as they arise. Time management assists in this regard, but the time spent with such activities should not be underestimated.

A large fraction of the AA’s time was spent on the new SCAR website, which has been a major task over the last year.

SCAR XXXIII IP13: WMO Activities of Interest to SCAR

Executive Summary

Title: WMO-led developments in Meteorological (and related) Polar Observations, Research and Services

Authors: Steve Pendlebury, Mike Sparrow

Introduction/ Background:  It is a policy of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) that meteorological (and related) services, such as Antarctic weather forecasting, should be underpinned by methodologies which are based on “solid” research and development. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research’s (SCAR) mission is understood to be the leading, independent, non-governmental facilitator, coordinator, and advocate of excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and research. It is appropriate therefore, that WMO and SCAR work together to facilitate the delivery of effective Antarctic- focused meteorological and related services designed to mitigate “real-time” risks to human operations in the Antarctic, and to mitigate risks to the Antarctic environment resulting from human-induced climate change. SCAR’s role in this partnership would, of course, be based on its capacity for fostering and delivering excellent Antarctic-related science: WMO’s role is to guide and assist its relevant Member States in developing and delivering the services themselves in an effective and efficient manner. To this end WMO has established its Executive Council panel of experts on Polar Observations, Research, and Services (EC-PORS) – SCAR has been a very welcome contributor to recent meetings of EC-PORS.

Important Issues or Factors:  WMO, through EC-PORS (and others), is championing key initiatives aimed at supporting the above service delivery – these include: a Global Integrated Polar Prediction System (GIPPS) informed by, among other things, a Polar Prediction Project (PPP) and a Polar Climate Predictability Initiative (PCPI). Exceedingly important to each of these are meteorological (and related) observations, whether obtained through the Antarctic Observations Network (AntON), or via the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), or space-based.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  Building on the participation of SCAR at recent meetings of EC-PORS, Delegates are invited to note the Antarctic-related work of WMO. Moreover, WMO would warmly welcome SCAR engagement, guidance, and participation in WMO’s Antarctic science-related initiatives, especially those outlined above.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  It is expected that SCAR’s involvement, as sketched above, would lead to more accurate and effective meteorological and related services aimed at mitigating risks to the Antarctic environment and to Antarctic operations.

Partners:  There is a strong focus within WMO/EC‑PORS in maintaining engagement, not only within the WMO system, but with the broader global services, operations, and research communities. A summary of some of the potential partners (in addition to SCAR) in the development of science-based Antarctic service delivery includes:

• Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM); Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP); and the International Association of Antarctic Tourist Operators (IAATO);
• Programmes such as World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP);
• WMO technical commissions, such as the Joint WMO/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Expert Team on Sea Ice (JCOMM‑ETSI);
• The International Ice Charting Working Group (IICWG);
• International operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres such as the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) along with the NWP centres of WMO Members states;
• The Antarctic Meteorological Observation Modeling Forecasting Workshop (AMOMFW) community;
• International research centres such as the Byrd Polar Research Center.

Budget Implications:  At this early stage in the SCAR-WMO partnership no specific call on the SCAR bottom line is envisaged. No doubt as the partnership matures there may be opportunities for focused and budgeted science campaigns aimed at informing the scientific development of Antarctic meteorological and related services.

SCAR XXXIII IP14: The New Brazilian Scientific Action Plan

ANTARCTIC SCIENCE FOR BRAZIL

An action plan for the 2013 – 2022 period

SCAR XXXIII WP01: Agenda

SCAR XXXIII WP02: Annotated Agenda

SCAR XXXIII WP03: List of Papers

SCAR XXXIII WP04: Timetable

SCAR XXXIII WP05a: Application of the Czech Republic for Associate Membership of SCAR

Executive Summary

Title: Application of the Czech Republic for Associate Membership

Authors: Czech authorities

Important Issues or Factors:  From the SCAR Rules of Procedure:

Applications for Associate Membership:

• are usually expected to precede application for full membership; and
• shall be accompanied by a statement of what the applicant hopes to contribute to and/or gain from the Charity.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  Delegates are requested to consider the Czech application for Associate Membership of SCAR.

Budget Implications:  $5,000 annual membership fee for Associate Membership.

SCAR XXXIII WP05b: Application of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Associate Membership of SCAR

Executive Summary

Title: Application of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Associate Membership

Authors: Iranian authorities

Important Issues or Factors:  From the SCAR Rules of Procedure:

Applications for Associate Membership:

• are usually expected to precede application for full membership; and
• shall be accompanied by a statement of what the applicant hopes to contribute to and/or gain from the Charity.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  Delegates are requested to consider the Iranian application for Associate Membership of SCAR.

Budget Implications:  $5,000 annual membership fee for Associate Membership.