Research Infrastructure

European Nations control a significant proportion of medium to large scale research infrastructures in the Arctic and Antarctic. A large number of Terrestrial stations including the cluster of facilities on svalbard in the Arctic and throughout the Antarctic peninsula and plateau. There is a trend towards maximizing the impact of research activities into the efficient sharing of resources and infrastructure.

Europe operates a suite of world leading polar class research Ice breakers and ice strengthened oceanographic research vessels. A new Air support network for the Antarctic has recently been established. The European Polar Board recognizes the need to influence European and National funding agencies to support the creation of new Polar research infrastructures and to manage the efficient use of existing facilities to enhance scientific deliverables and provide timely and reliable science advice to European governments.