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.
SAGE Guidance
SAGE guidance: a strategic framework for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
Participants
SAGE is activated by COBR and chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. If required, a precautionary SAGE can be proactively convened by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser prior to an emergency and the activation of COBR.
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
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, 2024
In 2024, a Precautionary SAGE (Pre-SAGE) was activated in response to the HPAI outbreak in the United States. A Pre-SAGE can be formed to look at emerging hazards and assess risks when COBR has not been activated.
COVID-19, 2020
In 2020 SAGE was activated to advise on the UK government’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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.
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.
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.
Nepal earthquake, 2015
In 2015 SAGE was activated to advise on the Nepal earthquake.
Ebola outbreak, 2014
In 2014 SAGE was activated in response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Winter flooding, 2013
In 2013 SAGE was activated in response to the UK winter flooding event between December 2013 and March 2014.
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.