Established in 2005, MCCIP is the primary independent source of marine climate change impacts evidence and adaptation advice in the UK and an exemplar model for scientific integrity, and stakeholder engagement. MCCIP has worked with hundreds of scientists to produce authoritative, state of the science, evidence reviews and summaries, directly supporting UK and devolved policy and evidence requirements. MCCIP goes beyond providing evidence, supporting conservation and industry bodies as they assess the range and scale of climate change risks they face, and develop their responses.
MCCIP is chaired by Prof Matt Frost (Plymouth Marine Laboratory) and is supported by a funded secretariat at Cefas. As a mature partnership, MCCIP has established clear governance structures and guiding principles that ensure its integrity and independence and achieve its aims. Current steering group member organisations are listed here.
There are various ways in which you can become involved with MCCIP. If you are interested, email us at office@mccip.org.uk.
The aim of MCCIP is to provide a “co-ordinating framework for the UK, so as to be able to transfer high quality evidence on marine climate change impacts, and guidance on adaptation advice, to policy advisors and decision-makers”.
The Phase V MCCIP business plan (2025-2030) includes 5 key objectives:
Objective 1. Build on the rolling updates for the evidence base
As a clear ‘success story’ in Phase IV, we will work to provide an even more inclusive rolling evidence process, with new authors and topics, providing timely, quality assured outputs.
Objective 2: A more responsive approach to changing user needs
In addition to rolling updates of the overall scientific evidence base, we need to be able to actively respond to the evolving needs of MCCIP users. This might be an in-depth special topic report, delivered by a dedicated working group, or a shorter piece of work (e.g. Marine Heatwave policy briefs).
Objective 3: A greater focus on co-developing climate action
This will principally be achieved through the development of co-funded marine climate smart activities, building on successful collaborations with industry trade associations, and conservation bodies. Identifying pathways for action with different end users (e.g. policy and industry) will be critical to co-develop climate action.
Objective 4: Building MCCIP influence and the profile of marine climate change issues across a range of scales (local / regional / UK / Global)
MCCIP will build on its experience of delivering UK impacts and evidence advice to engage directly with regional and local actors in the UK to help deliver impact on the ground (for example by working with coastal communities, and relevant representative bodies, around the UK). In the international space, MCCIP will explore opportunities to build on work with the UKOTs, and engage with relevant international reporting mechanisms and activities.
Objective 5: Improving the user experience of MCCIP
As well as improving the user interface experience, MCCIP will strive to improve the form in which evidence is co-delivered with end users to support adaptation pathways in an easily accessible way (both in terms of accessing the information online and the ease of interpretation and use of products).
The Phase V MCCIP Business Plan is supported by a new MCCIP Communications Strategy which aims to promote MCCIP outputs in an efficient, organised and measurable manner. The key Communications outcome is for scientific evidence on marine climate change in the UK being shared with key stakeholders in a timely and accessible way, facilitating the uptake of that evidence to inform and support effective climate policy and action.