Science aims

To achieve a major advance in the fidelity of simulations of the Global Environment by developing an Earth System Model with unprecedented resolution, comprehensively evaluated and verified.
To perform a ‘Grand Challenge’ multi-century simulation with the new Earth System Model, HiGEM
To study mechanisms of climate variability and change on timescales of days to centuries
To improve our understanding of non-linear processes that lead to interactions between small and large spatial scales, and between high and low frequencies, within the Earth system.

Strategic aims

To integrate the global environment modelling activities across NERC
To support the formation of a national partnership between NERC and the Hadley Centre
To exploit the major increases in computing power afforded by HPCx (UK) and the Earth Simulator (Japan)