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for this was that cross-cutting issues were
not restricted to the activities covered by
the current Cross-Cutting Groups. These
existing activities would become networks
within the new Group, which would also take
over the leadership of some of the networks
developed within existing Research Groups,
e.g. the LRG’s Grasslands Network. Co-
chairs would be drawn from the countries
currently co-chairing the two Cross-
Cutting Groups. Council members viewed
this proposal very favourably, seeing it as
a rational and effective realignment that
would provide greater flexibility and increase
the efficiency and coherency of work across
all the groups.
Resourcing issues were discussed and the
co-chairs sought Council endorsement
to develop a joint funding mechanism to
encourage resource collaboration between
countries. This would be based on the
European
Commission’s
‘International
Research Consortia’ model that was
presented at the June LRG meeting (and is
similar to what has been achieved through
FACCE-JPI). The Secretariat is going to
follow up with the Commission to establish
how this could work in practice and report
back to the Council.
The Council also discussed several other
matters relating to the Research Groups
including:
•
The need for the Research Groups to
conduct periodic reviews of their co-
chairing arrangements, building on the
requirements of the Charter.
•
The need for increased information flow
from individual member countries in
terms of domestic GRA activities to help
inform the work plans of the Research
Groups, for example by way of annual
reports from countries.
•
The prospect of a GRA science conference
in2017asanopportunity to further cement
global interest in reducing the emissions
intensity of agricultural production and to
showcase the achievements of the GRA.
This could include a Council meeting,
meetings of the Research Groups and,
potentially, a high-level Ministerial
segment.
•
A GRA presence at the agriculture side
event being organized for the UNFCCC
COP21 in Paris in December, as well as
potential GRA involvement in the French
4 per mille soil carbon initiative via the
Research Groups.
Development of a five-year strategic plan
The Secretariat proposed the development
of a strategic plan for the GRA – a concept
that was met with enthusiasm by the
Council. This would sit between the Charter
and the Research Groups’ annual work
plans and would identify specific objectives
and achievements for 2015-2020. It would
address matters such as open access to
data, research and publications; promotion
and awareness-raising of the GRA’s work;
enhancing participation by members,
partners and potentially the private sector;
resourcing constraints; and improving
the science/policy interface. This will be
developed by a working group of member
countries, with input from the Research
Groups, over the next six months and sent to
the full Council for final approval.
Enhanced Secretariat
New Zealand presented a proposal on the
future of the Secretariat, which it currently
hosts. Council approval was sought to widen
the Secretariat’s role so that it could more
actively work to raise the profile of the
GRA internationally, improve relationships
with partners and better support the
membership. The proposal included the
concept of a GRA ‘representative’, which was
positively received by the Council. Such a
role could be established as a two-year trial
to work closely with the Chair and Vice Chair,
representing the GRA at relevant events and
working to broaden links with existing and
potential partners, NGOs, the agricultural
sector and philanthropics. Such a person
could also help member countries raise the
profile of the GRA domestically, including
highlighting the value of the Research
Groups’ work. This proposal was agreed
subject to agreeing a Terms of Reference
and Council approval of the ‘representative’.
The Council also agreed that New Zealand
should continue hosting the Secretariat until
2019.
Partnerships and strategic relationships
On the back of the very strong relationship
being developed between the Climate and
Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the LRG, the
Council agreed that a new partnership with
the CCAC would be highly beneficial. The
Council also agreed new partnerships with
WAF and CABI, a not-for-profit scientific
research publishing and international
development organisation. Both the WAF
and CABI are focused on finding ways to put
sustainable agricultural research to use and
offer valuable conduits for promoting the
GRA’s achievements to a wider audience.
The relationship with the Global Alliance
on Climate Smart Agriculture was also
discussed although the Council felt this
would be best developed at the Research
Group level at this stage.
For more information on the Council
meeting, please contact the GRA Secretariat
(
secretariat@globalresearchalliance.org )