Chapter 8 Summary of International Linkages and National Activity

National Activity > Research and Development Corporations

Part of the Commonwealth funding is provided to the Research and Development Corporations, which have been set up by the Commonwealth Government and are funded jointly by industry. Several corporations contribute contribute to both climate variability (for example, through the Climate Variability in Agriculture Program (CVAP) managed by Land & Water Australia (LWA) and climate change research relevant to primary industries. CVAP has received funding to the total of $3.5 million from the Commonwealth in the five years to mid 2002. The research and development corporations support CVAP through funding for generic projects and for partnership funding of projects of value to their specific industry or charter.

CVAP funding was directed to a range of state agencies, academic institutions, consulting firms, and Commonwealth agencies including CSIRO, BRS, and the Bureau of Meteorology. These agencies also contribute substantial matching funding to CVAP projects they undertake.

During 2002, a Prospectus was launched for a new 'Managing Climate Variability' (MCV) R&D Program. The MCV program is scheduled to commence a four-year $6 million program from mid-2003. The MCV will have a broader focus than CVAP and will have a greater emphasis on water and natural resources management. MCV will make more explicit recognition of the extent of climate change to date, and how that impacts on tactical management decisions a season ahead. MCV will also take into account the contribution that improved management of climate variability can make to adaptation to climate change.