CSIRO's leadership has decided to establish a new national climate research centre, after its plans to curtail its climate science capacity was met with criticism from around the world.
Chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said that the centre is a "reflection of the strong collaboration and support right across our system and the global community.”
The centre will employ 40 scientists full time.
Operating as part of CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, the new CSIRO Climate Science Centre has a guaranteed research capability for 10 years and will focus CSIRO’s climate measurement and modelling researchers and resources.
There also will be a new Independent National Climate Science Advisory Committee which will advise the Australian Government on the future direction of Australia’s climate science capability and research priorities.
CSIRO also announced that it will forge closer ties with the Bureau of Meteorology and the UK Meteorology Office, and that it will keep critical measurement infrastructure. This includes CSIRO's ice and air libraries, the ARGO float program and Cape Grim, and other national facilities such as the RV Investigator.