About us

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) provides scientific and technical advice to support government decision makers during emergencies.


Role

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is convened to provide independent scientific advice to support decision-making in the Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) in the event of a national emergency.

SAGE is an advisory group and does not make decisions or set policy. Its advice is limited to scientific matters and is a cross-disciplinary consensus view based on the best available evidence at the time.

Government considers a range of evidence when making decisions including economic, social, and broader environmental factors.

Terms of Reference

Enhanced SAGE guidance: a strategic framework for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies

Participants

SAGE is generally convened and chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA), but depending on the emergency, it may be co-chaired with a relevant expert.

SAGE participants are scientific experts from within government, academia, and industry from a range of fields relevant to the nature of the emergency and the specific issues under consideration. Participants vary from meeting to meeting, depending on the expertise required. As such, SAGE has no standing membership.

SAGE activations

COVID-19, 2020

In 2020 SAGE was activated to advise on the UK government’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

About SAGE and COVID-19.

View the minutes and papers supporting the government response to COVID-19.

Toddbrook reservoir, 2019

In August 2019 SAGE was activated in response to the potential breach of Toddbrook reservoir.

See the minutes.

Ebola outbreak, 2018

In 2018, a Precautionary SAGE (Pre-SAGE) was activated in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between May 2018 and May 2019. A Pre-SAGE can be formed to look at emerging hazards and assess risks when COBR has not been activated.

See the minutes.

Zika outbreak, 2016

In 2016 a Precautionary SAGE (Pre-SAGE) was activated to advise on the Zika virus outbreak. A Pre-SAGE can be formed to look at emerging hazards and assess risks when COBR has not been activated.

See the minutes.

Nepal earthquake, 2015

In 2015 SAGE was activated to advise on the Nepal earthquake.

See the minutes.

Ebola outbreak, 2014

In 2014 SAGE was activated in response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

See the minutes.

Winter flooding, 2013

In 2013 SAGE was activated in response to the UK winter flooding event between December 2013 and March 2014.

See the minutes.

Japan nuclear incident, 2011

In 2011 SAGE was activated to advise on the Fukushima nuclear emergency.

See the National Archives website for minutes.

Volcanic Ash emergency, 2010

In 2010 SAGE was activated following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland.

See the National Archives website for minutes.

Swine Flu pandemic, 2009

In 2009 SAGE was activated to provide scientific advice on the H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic between May 2009 and January 2010.

See the National Archives website for minutes.

Corporate information

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