Organizational Structure and Function

The US CCSP has a tripartite, collaborative management structure that was first implemented based on the recommendations in A U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan (Sarmiento and Wofsy, 1999) but suspended almost a decade ago.  The proposed structure consisting of an Executive Council, a Federal Agency Partners Group, and a Program Office will improve coordination and provide scientific and programmatic guidance that will strengthen relevant agency activities and advance policy decision-making (see figure below). 

Executive Council 

The Executive Council (EC) will be made up of approximately 20 non-federal members reflecting the diversity of carbon cycle science across multiple disciplines from state and local government, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.  Members will be nominated by the Program office Director in partnership with the Federal Agencies and invited to serve an initial term of three years, with the option to serve a second term, and with staggered rotational participation as needed. 

Members will engage in individual consultation with US CCSP and its program activities. Such consultation will primarily consist of one-on-one meetings between the Executive Council and individuals. The EC will meet bi-annually (in person and virtually) and ad-hoc as necessary. Once per year, UCAR will convene a larger, public meeting of the EC to provide an open forum for consultation. All EC meetings will be open to the public, and will be announced in advance on the US CCSP homepage.

Federal Agency Partners Group

The Federal Agency Partners Group will consist of relevant federal agency representatives who will be responsible for the development and coordination of carbon cycle science research and the integration of infrastructure, scientific expertise, and stakeholder input essential for the success of the US CCSP. The group will meet at least once quarterly to coordinate the implementation of research activities in support of US CCSP goals and provide the necessary funding and resources to sustain these activities. Members of the USGCRP Carbon Cycle Interagency Working Group (CCIWG) will be invited to serve on the Federal Agency Partners Group and participate in the Executive Council Annual Meeting. In addition, the US CCSP Program Office Director will be invited to provide updates to the USGCRP CCIWG.