---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 2934"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "2934"
heading: "National Global Change Research Plan"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/2934"
units:
  - "Chapter 56A — Global Change Research"
  - "Subchapter I — United States Global Change Research Program"
---

# §2934. National Global Change Research Plan

- (a) **In general—** The Chairman of the [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2), through the [Committee](/usc/15/2921.md?p=1), shall develop a National [Global Change Research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4) Plan for implementation of the [Program](/usc/15/2921.md?p=6). The Plan shall contain recommendations for national [global change research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4). The Chairman of the [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2) shall submit the Plan to the Congress within one year after November 16, 1990, and a revised Plan shall be submitted at least once every three years thereafter.
- (b) **Contents of Plan—** The Plan shall—
  - (1) establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the Plan is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal [global change research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4) which most effectively advance scientific understanding of [global change](/usc/15/2921.md?p=3) and provide usable information on which to base policy decisions relating to [global change](/usc/15/2921.md?p=3);
  - (2) describe specific activities, including research activities, data collection and data analysis requirements, predictive modeling, participation in international research efforts, and information management, required to achieve such goals and priorities;
  - (3) identify and address, as appropriate, relevant [programs](/usc/15/2921.md?p=6) and activities of the Federal agencies and departments represented on the [Committee](/usc/15/2921.md?p=1) that contribute to the [Program](/usc/15/2921.md?p=6);
  - (4) set forth the role of each Federal agency and department in implementing the Plan;
  - (5) consider and utilize, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National Research [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2), or other entities;
  - (6) make recommendations for the coordination of the [global change research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4) activities of the United States with such activities of other nations and international organizations, including—
    - (A) a description of the extent and nature of necessary international cooperation;
    - (B) the development by the [Committee](/usc/15/2921.md?p=1), in consultation when appropriate with the National Space [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2), of proposals for cooperation on major capital projects;
    - (C) bilateral and multilateral proposals for improving worldwide access to scientific data and information; and
    - (D) methods for improving participation in international [global change research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4) by developing nations; and
  - (7) estimate, to the extent practicable, Federal funding for [global change research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4) activities to be conducted under the Plan.
- (c) **Research elements—** The Plan shall provide for, but not be limited to, the following research elements:
  - (1) Global measurements, establishing worldwide observations necessary to understand the physical, chemical, and biological processes responsible for changes in the Earth system on all relevant spatial and time scales.
  - (2) Documentation of [global change](/usc/15/2921.md?p=3), including the development of mechanisms for recording changes that will actually occur in the Earth system over the coming decades.
  - (3) Studies of earlier changes in the Earth system, using evidence from the geological and fossil record.
  - (4) Predictions, using quantitative models of the Earth system to identify and simulate global environmental processes and trends, and the regional implications of such processes and trends.
  - (5) Focused research initiatives to understand the nature of and interaction among physical, chemical, biological, and social processes related to [global change](/usc/15/2921.md?p=3).
- (d) **Information management—** The Plan shall provide recommendations for collaboration within the Federal Government and among nations to—
  - (1) establish, develop, and maintain information bases, including necessary management systems which will promote consistent, efficient, and compatible transfer and use of data;
  - (2) create globally accessible formats for data collected by various international sources; and
  - (3) combine and interpret data from various sources to produce information readily usable by policymakers attempting to formulate effective strategies for preventing, mitigating, and adapting to the effects of [global change](/usc/15/2921.md?p=3).
- (e) **National Research Council evaluation—** The Chairman of the [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2) shall enter into an [agreement](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2) with the National Research [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2) under which the National Research [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2) shall—
  - (1) evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; and
  - (2) provide information and advice obtained from United States and international sources, and recommended priorities for future [global change research](/usc/15/2921.md?p=4).
- (f) **Public participation—** In developing the Plan, the [Committee](/usc/15/2921.md?p=1) shall consult with academic, [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2), industry, and environmental groups and representatives. Not later than 90 days before the Chairman of the [Council](/usc/15/2921.md?p=2) submits the Plan, or any revision thereof, to the Congress, a summary of the proposed Plan shall be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–606, title I, § 104, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3099.)