DeskPolicyThe Arctic Council’s Icelandic Chairmanship released a sneak‑peek of a newly approved Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, outlining 59 strategic actions—especially for shipping—and setting an implementation roadmap for Arctic States.
A massive oil terminal on Russia’s Taymyr coast has received approval, signaling a major expansion of Arctic oil infrastructure and raising new environmental concerns.
MegaFon, Russia’s first telecom firm to join the Arctic Economic Council, is advancing the Arctic Connect fiber‑optic line linking Europe and Asia across the Arctic Ocean, boosting connectivity for Arctic communities.
Greenland’s strict travel and isolation rules have kept COVID-19 out, while Arctic communities face health system vulnerabilities; vaccination plans in Greenland and Alaska aim to protect residents, highlighting policy needs.
At Arctic Frontiers, AEC chair Heidar Gudjonsson highlighted how icebreaking advances cut transport costs by over 70% and urged tailored fuel‑oil‑ban policies for remote communities.
Several major banks have announced they will not finance Arctic oil, gas, or coal projects, prompting the Arctic Economic Council to call on financial institutions to support responsible development in the region.
The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow, Yukon, launched a solar farm that cuts 190,000 liters of diesel per year, reduces CO2 emissions by 680 tons, and boosts local energy sovereignty.
The EPPR Working Group and Arctic Coast Guard Forum held a virtual “Arctic Guardian” table‑top exercise simulating a cruise‑ship tanker collision off Iceland, enhancing joint response protocols and informing future live drills.
The Wilson Center’s Polar Institute launched the Arctic Infrastructure Inventory, a public catalog of 8,000+ Arctic projects, with the Arctic Economic Council partnering to fill data gaps for sustainable development.
The Arctic Council and IMO collaborate through the PAME working group and the Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum to promote the implementation of the Polar Code, enhancing safety, security, and environmental protection for Arctic shipping.
The Arctic Council’s Shipping Best Practice Forum, held virtually for the first time, drew 140 participants, expanded its Web Portal, and highlighted progress in implementing the IMO Polar Code.
AMAP’s new Expert Group on Litter and Microplastics is developing the first Arctic‑wide monitoring plan covering 11 ecosystem compartments, from air to seabed, to assess plastic pollution and support policy and assessment.
The Icelandic‑chaired virtual Senior Arctic Officials meeting on 17‑19 Nov 2020 focused on climate, green energy, marine stewardship, and COVID‑19, while preparing for the 25th‑anniversary ministerial and the Russian chairmanship.
The Arctic Council launched the Senior Arctic Officials’ Marine Mechanism in September 2020 to improve coordination of marine‑related projects and policy implementation across its working groups.
In 2020 the Arctic Council launched the Senior Arctic Officials’ Marine Mechanism to strengthen marine coordination, following Task Force work that identified nine functional needs and led to a webinar-based platform replacing a planned in‑person meeting.
The article outlines how applying best technology and environmental practices in Arctic oil and gas can cut black carbon and methane emissions, offering climate and economic benefits.
The 2018 International Agreement to Prevent Unregulated Fishing in the High Seas of the Central Arctic Ocean bans commercial fishing until scientific data is available, protecting the emerging ecosystem as ice retreats.
A 2020 study highlights how Indigenous peoples' management of Arctic wetlands supports biodiversity and food security, noting gaps in representation and offering policy recommendations.
Arctic Contaminants Action Program convened experts to assess mercury pollution, its combined effects with other contaminants, and coordinate actions under the Minamata Convention.
Inuit Circumpolar Council leader Jim Stotts shared how Inuit communities view marine biodiversity and climate change, urging the Arctic Council to revise its Marine Strategic Plan to include COVID‑19 impacts, Indigenous participation, pollution, and shifting species patterns.
The Arctic Council launched a new Senior Arctic Officials Marine Mechanism and a four‑week webinar series to unite Arctic States, Indigenous participants and experts, aiming to improve marine stewardship and sustainable shipping.
Arctic Council’s SDWG is creating an Innovation Cluster to connect producers, investors, and Indigenous communities, piloting hydroponic and agroforestry projects in Canada and Russia to strengthen local food security.
Arctic Council initiatives are building shared wildfire management language, drawing on Indigenous practices and cross‑border cooperation to address growing fire risks.
The AEC 2019 Annual Report highlights the transition of chairmanship to Icelandic businesses, the launch of key working group reports, a new MOU with the Arctic Council, and extensive outreach, underscoring evolving Arctic economic governance.
Arctic Council senior officials convened virtually to assess COVID‑19 impacts on Arctic communities and agreed on actions to strengthen health and infrastructure resilience.
