Aurora borealis - development of a long term European plan for arctic global change research and proposals for a new dedicated European research icebreaker  

The International Polar Year (IPY) - to be held in 2007/2008, the IPY is to be a major scientific event involving scientists, engineers, institutions and research teams from all over the globe 

Concordia - development of a science and utilisation plan for the new European Antarctic research station

International cooperation - European and United States science policy collaboration in the polar regions

Polar and space activities - Investigation on the synergies and interactions between space activities and polar activities, with a special focus on GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security)

Polar and space activities - Investigation on the synergies and interactions between space activities and polar activities, with a special focus on GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security).

The European Polar Board (EPB) is Europe’s principle strategic forum for Science Policy Issues in the Arctic and Antarctic. The Board is a platform for European engagement in International Science programmes and provides strategic science policy advice to the European Commission and international bodies.

Through the development of an organisational framework EUROPOLAR, the European Polar Board seeks to harmonize and maximize the impact of European Polar Research in a global context. The European Polar Board is enhancing engagement and strategic dialogue on Science and technology issues with the U.S. and other international partners. It takes an influential role together with its partners in the planning and implementation of the International Polar Year 2007/08 and to the underpinning of European long term planning and scientific investigations in the Polar Regions.

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.

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