Science Minister questioned on UK Arctic research
Science Minister George Freeman MP gives evidence to the Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research, as MPs conclude its evidence gathering on The UK and the Arctic Environment. The Minister will be joined by Jane Rumble OBE, Head of the Polar Regions Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Meeting details
During the evidence session, the Committee will examine the UK’s relationship with the Arctic environment, UK research on monitoring the effects of climate change in the Arctic and how the Government is approaching the subsequent risks for the UK. Members will discuss with the Minister the contribution that UK science makes to understanding the Arctic, how UK science can be supported, and how the Government uses Arctic research in policy.
It will also consider the changing geopolitical situation in the Arctic, and the UK’s interests in Arctic resources.
The evidence session comes following analysis that the Arctic is likely to be ice-free in September by the 2030s, with 90% of the melting resulting from human-caused global warming.