Panel to probe UK's Climate Research Unit

London – Lord Oxburgh FRS, a former chair of the Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, is to chair an independent panel to investigate the activities of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia. The appointment was made on the recommendation of the Royal Society, which has also guided the choice of the six top scientists who have been invited to be members of the scientific assessment panel.

The other panel members are: Huw Davies, professor of physics at the Institute for Atmospheric & Climate Science at ETH Zürich; Kerry Emanuel, professor of meteorology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Lisa Graumlich, director of the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at The University of Arizona; David Hand, Professor of Statistics in the department of mathematics at Imperial College; Herbert Huppert, professor of theoretical geophysics at the University of Cambridge; and Michael Kelly, Prince Philip professor of Technology at the University of Cambridge.

The panel will have access to any publications or materials it requests, and all information considered will be listed in the Report. The University, in consultation with the Royal Society, has suggested that the panel looks in particular at key publications, from the body of CRU’s research referred to in the UEA submission to the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee.

“The shadow hanging over climate change and science more generally at present makes it a matter of urgency that we get on with this assessment. We will undertake this work and report as soon as possible,” said Lord Oxburgh.

The panel will meet in Norwich in April and will have the opportunity to see original data and speak to those who did the work. It comprises of scientists who use techniques similar to those used in CRU but who largely apply them to other areas of research, as well as those with experience in climate or related research.

“Our concern has been to bring together a distinguished group of independent scientists who understand the difference between assertion and evidence, and are familiar with using the latter to judge the validity of conclusions arising from science research,” said Trevor Davies, the University of East Anglia’s pro-vice-chancellor for research.

“The choice of scientists is sure to be the subject of discussion, and experience would suggest that it is impossible to find a group of eminent scientists to look at this issue who are acceptable to every interest group which has expressed a view in the last few months. Similarly it is unlikely that a group of people who have the necessary experience to assess the science, but have formed no view of their own on global warming, could be found.”