Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty
  1. About
  2. Topics
  3. Environmental Protection
  4. SGCCR

Subsidiary Group on Climate Change Response (SGCCR) 

Background

The Climate Change Response Work Programme (CCRWP) was adopted through ATCM Resolution 4 (2015), which recommended that Governments: 

  • encourage the CEP to begin implementing the CCRWP as a matter of priority, and provide annual progress reports to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on its implementation;
  • request the CEP to keep the CCRWP under regular review, with the input of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) on scientific and practical matters respectively; and
  • give consideration, within their own national scientific funding systems and national Antarctic research programmes, as to how they can address the science needs and actions identified in the CEP’s CCRWP.

‘Climate Change Implications for the Environment’ is a Priority 1 issue on the CEP Five-Year Work Plan, with ‘Implementing the CCRWP’ a key action.

SGCCR Terms of Reference

Following discussions within CEP regarding updating, implementation and follow-up of the CCRWP, a decision was made at ATCM XL (Decision 1 (2017)) to establish a new Subsidiary Group on Climate Change Response (SGCCR). 

The Terms of Reference for the SGCCR are to facilitate the efficient and timely implementation of the CCRWP by: 

  • Facilitating the coordination and communication of the CCRWP between Members, Observers and Experts, highlighting actions identified for the coming year(s) and requesting relevant updates on planned activities;
  • Drafting proposed annual updates of the CCRWP, including management, research or monitoring actions;
  • Drafting annual progress reports on the implementation of the CCRWP for the CEP to draw on in their updates to the ATCM.

SGCCR operating mechanisms

In addition to the Terms of Reference, the Committee tasked the SGCCR to develop operating mechanisms to support good participation and efficient handling of work (CEP XX Final Report, para 74). The SGCCR maintains flexibility regarding membership and welcomes new members. The Subsidiary Group undertakes its intersessional work via the CEP Forum and produces an annual report to the CEP.