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The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) is an inter-disciplinary committee
of the International Council for Science (ICSU). SCAR is charged with initiating,
developing and coordinating high quality international scientific research in the
Antarctic region (including the Southern Ocean), and on the role of the Antarctic
region in the Earth system. The scientific business of SCAR is conducted by its Standing
Scientific Groups which represent the scientific disciplines active in Antarctic research
and report to SCAR. In addition to carrying out its primary scientific role, SCAR
also provides objective and independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Meetings and other organizations such as the UNFCCC and IPCC on issues
of science and conservation affecting the management of Antarctica and the Southern
Ocean and on the role of the Antarctic region in the Earth system. SCAR has made numerous
recommendations on a variety of matters, many of which have been incorporated into
Antarctic Treaty instruments. Foremost amongst these have been the advice provided
for the many international agreements which provide protection for the ecology and
environment of the Antarctic. SCAR meets every two years to conduct its administrative
business at the SCAR Delegates' Meeting. At these meetings the members of SCAR, through
their appointed Delegates, are responsible for formulating SCAR policy and strategy.
They also elect an Executive Committee from among themselves which is responsible
for the day-to-day administration of SCAR through its Secretariat at the Scott Polar
Research Institute in Cambridge, England. The Executive Committee comprises the President,
Past-President, four Vice-Presidents and the SCAR Executive Director. The SCAR Secretariat
is staffed by the Executive Director, Executive Officer and a part-time Administrative
Assistant. SCAR also holds, prior to the Delegates Meeting, a major Open Science Conference
to draw attention to Antarctic issues, along with meetings of the Standing Scientific
Groups that are designed to finalise the Science Programmes for eventual approval
by the Delegates.
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