The attached draft Climate Change Response Work Program addresses the remaining Terms of Reference of the Intersessional Correspondence Group (ICG) to develop approaches for integrating considerations of the impacts of climate change into the work of CCAMLR (components of TORs 7 and 8). It aims to build on related work of the Commission, SC-CAMLR and its working groups, and to link with related work being undertaken by the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP).
It is proposed that the objective of a Climate Change Response Work Program is:
To provide a mechanism for identifying and revising goals and specific actions by the Commission and SC-CAMLR to support efforts within the Antarctic Treaty system to prepare for, and build resilience to, the environmental impacts of a changing climate and the associated implications for the governance and management of the Southern Ocean and the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.
This reflects and complements the objective of the CEP Climate Change Response Work Program.
On behalf of the ICG, Australia and Norway seek feedback on the proposed work program, specifically advice on issues, information gaps identified, proposed actions and relevant activities already underway. Advice on appropriate timeframes for responding to research activities would also be appreciated.