National Climate Science Advisory Committee

The National Climate Science Advisory Committee (NCSAC) provides strategic direction for Australian climate science research. NCSAC is developing a national climate science approach to address national business and policy development needs.

The NCSAC comprises senior representatives from across Australian climate science research, investment and policy agencies and institutions. This broad representation aims to:

• boost collaboration across agencies and sectors
• ensure climate science activities are coordinated and prioritised
• guide investment to maintain and strengthen Australia’s research capability

Our department and the Department of the Environment and Energy provide secretariat support.

The NCSAC meets at least twice annually.

Roles and responsibilities are in the NCSAC Terms of Reference [348KB PDF] [15KB DOCX]

Members

• Chair, vacant
• Mr John Gunn, independent senior scientist and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
• Associate Professor Julie Arblaster, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University
• Professor Mark Howden, Director, The Australian National University Climate Change Institute
• Professor Timothy Naish, Director, Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand

Ex officio members

• Dr Alan Finkel, Australia’s Chief Scientist
• Dr Andrew Johnson, Director of Meteorology
• Dr Helen Cleugh, Director Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Climate Science Centre
• Dr David Karoly, Director, Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub, National Environmental Science Program
• Dr Gwen Fenton, Chief Scientist, Australian Antarctic Division
• Dr Heather Smith, Secretary, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
• Mr David Fredericks, Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy

Climate science for Australia's future

The committee finalised its advice to the Australian Government on the development of a strategy for climate science in Australia, including:

• Australia's climate science priorities, capabilities and resources
• a stocktake of existing capabilities and options for addressing any gaps
• ongoing climate science community coordination arrangements

See the committee's report Climate science for Australia's future.

See also

Read about our science strategies and projects.