DeskEnvironmentThe Arctic is experiencing its worst wildfire season on record, with Gwich'in communities in Alaska urging Arctic Council states to collaborate on fire monitoring, emergency response, and community planning.
The Arctic Council’s PAME Working Group launched a GPS‑equipped plastic bottle into the Atlantic to trace litter paths, gather data for a regional plastics policy, and raise Arctic environmental awareness.
CAFF’s first circumpolar assessment shows warming and development threaten Arctic freshwater species such as Arctic char and ecosystem services like fish and drinking water, urging improved monitoring.
The Arctic Council and Arctic Economic Council held their first joint meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, on 9 October 2019 to discuss cooperation on marine transport, telecoms, resource development, biodiversity, and responsible investment under a new Memorandum of Understanding.
Finland’s Ministry of Environment hosted a workshop in Ivalo to integrate Saami perspectives into Arctic environmental impact assessments, emphasizing early engagement, traditional knowledge inclusion, and respect for indigenous livelihoods amid climate-driven industry expansion.
A COP25 side event highlighted the swift rise of Arctic ocean acidification, its ecological and cultural impacts, and called for urgent action.
In February 2011, scientists and community experts from Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the U.S. met in Edmonton to develop a Pan‑Arctic Polar Bear Monitoring Plan, establishing coordinated monitoring standards, indicators, and reporting mechanisms for decision‑makers.
The 7th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Nuuk will sign the first binding Search and Rescue agreement and the Nuuk Declaration, and present reports on Arctic resilience and climate science.
Arctic Council’s EPPR Working Group met in Whitehorse, Yukon, June 15‑16 2011 to discuss marine oil spill preparedness, pilot projects for oil spill and vessel rescue response, and radiological emergency collaboration with Russia.
Sweden chaired the Arctic Council (2011‑2013), prioritizing climate change, oil emission prevention, indigenous rights, and sustainable economic development, with a key SAO meeting in Luleå.
Russia pledged €10 million to the Arctic Council’s Project Support Instrument, becoming the largest contributor and supporting pollution‑prevention projects across the Russian Arctic.
AMAP's Working Group met in Moscow, presenting upcoming reports on mercury, ice and permafrost, black carbon, and UAS guidelines, while coordinating with other Arctic Council groups and hosting workshops to support Arctic policy and science.
Arctic Council launched the Indigenous Peoples Contaminant Action Program to reduce contaminant exposure in Arctic indigenous communities, holding its first meeting in Luleå, Sweden, with key indigenous and state actors and setting project priorities.
The Arctic Council, led by Sweden, convened a workshop in Stockholm to adapt OECD corporate social responsibility guidelines for the Arctic, bringing together companies, OECD, WWF, governments and indigenous groups to ensure environmentally and socially sustainable development.
The SDWG met in Gällivare, Sweden, in February 2019 to discuss Sámi community issues, visit the Malmberget mine, and endorse projects such as AMATII and an Inuit response to AMSA, influencing Arctic policy and community outcomes.
The Arctic Ocean Review’s second phase analyzes current marine trends, evaluates existing protections, and will deliver policy recommendations to strengthen Arctic governance before the 2013 Council meeting.
The Arctic Council’s PAME working group convened in Stockholm March 26–27, 2012, to review Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment follow‑ups, IMO Polar Code developments, and other marine protection initiatives.
The Arctic Council's second Senior Arctic Officials meeting in Stockholm approved key projects including AMATII and established a future secretariat in Tromsø, strengthening Arctic governance and sustainable development.
Arctic Council experts met in Gothenburg to refine principles of ecosystem‑based management, discuss barriers and share scientific assessments, laying groundwork for upcoming ministerial guidance.
The leadership change directs Arctic contaminant policy, project completion, and funding strategies, strengthening efforts to reduce persistent organic pollutants across the region.
A 2012 CAFF workshop in Stockholm gathered 30 delegates from Arctic states and indigenous groups to shape policy recommendations for the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, highlighting climate‑driven shifts.
The U.S. Government has pledged up to $5 million to the Arctic Council’s Project Support Instrument to fund environmental projects in the Russian Arctic, strengthening Arctic governance and pollution mitigation efforts.
The Swedish SAO meeting elected Magnús Jóhannesson as director of the new Arctic Council Secretariat in Tromsø, Norway, released a statement suspending Russian indigenous organization RAIPON, and set key priorities for the Swedish chairmanship.
Arctic Council working groups ACAP, CAFF and PAME finalized their reports and work plans in February, preparing key documents for the May Ministerial meeting in Kiruna.
Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town, will host the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on May 15, amid its iron‑ore mining economy and planned relocation.
