Natural Environment Research Council
The Natural Environment Research Council is a British research council that supports research, training and knowledge transfer activities in the environmental sciences.
History
NERC began in 1965 when several environmental research organisations were brought under the one umbrella organisation. When most research councils were re-organised in 1994, it had new responsibilities – Earth observation and science-developed archaeology. Collaboration between research councils increased in 2002 when Research Councils UK was formed.Chief executives
- Sir Graham Sutton
- Professor John Krebs, Baron Krebs 1994-1999
- Sir John Lawton 1999–2005
- Professor Alan Thorpe 2005–2011
- Dr Steven Wilson – 2011–2012
- Professor Duncan Wingham – from 1 January 2012
Organisational structure
| Insignia | Organisation |
| British Antarctic Survey | |
| British Geological Survey | |
| Centre for Ecology and Hydrology | |
| National Centre for Atmospheric Science | |
| National Centre for Earth Observation | |
It also supports a number of collaborative centres of excellence and subject-based designated Environmental Data Centres for the storage and distribution of environmental data.
Mission
The Natural Environment Research Council delivers independent research, survey, training and knowledge transfer in the environmental sciences, to advance knowledge of planet Earth as a complex, interacting system. The council's work covers the full range of atmospheric, Earth, biological, terrestrial and aquatic sciences, from the deep oceans to the upper atmosphere, and from the geographical poles to the equator.NERC's mission is to gather and apply knowledge, create understanding and predict the behaviour of the natural environment and its resources, and communicate all aspects of the council's work. The British Meteorological Office is not part of NERC.