Capability assessment: Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub

Scientell and colleagues reviewed research and outreach capability and directions for the Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub, with an emphasis on how the Hub can best target stakeholder gaps, respond to needs, and address associated national priorities. The assessment supported further development of the Hub’s long-term strategy to delivery of science and services for Australia.

Client: The Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub of the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program. The Hub is a partnership involving CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, the University of New South Wales, the Australian National University, Monash University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania.

Audience: The Hub leadership team

The project reported on the current level of climate change science capability; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; the information that Australian policy-makers, decision-makers and the general public need from climate change science and services; the appropriateness of the Hub’s research directions; its effectiveness and efficiency; and paths to impact.

Innovative Features

The assessment includes opinions and recommendations drawn from in-depth interviews with dozens of stakeholders, including researchers, users of climate change science and services, and representatives from federal and state government departments.