Science

The guest post reviews changes to the Greenland ice sheet during 2023, offering updated data for Arctic climate analysis.

PolArctic's AI‑driven digital twin of the Arctic Ocean integrates indigenous knowledge and scientific data to forecast climate impacts on fish stocks, guiding sustainable fisheries, shipping safety, and defense operations.

The drop in sea ice is linked to increased rainfall in Svalbard, pointing to altered Arctic weather patterns.

A study finds a comprehensive buildup at the Russian Novaya Zemlya nuclear missile test site, indicating heightened military activity in the Arctic.

The Arctic Wildland Fire Sharing Circle brought together scientists, Indigenous leaders, and Arctic Council groups to discuss rising wildfire risks, share projects, and build cross‑sector collaboration.

Arctic Council’s CAFF experts released a comprehensive assessment of Arctic freshwater biodiversity, compiling data from over 9,000 stations and outlining climate-driven changes that threaten ecosystems and local communities.

A senior Arctic Council meeting in Moscow focused on improving scientific coordination, discussing a potential coordination committee, shared research database, and the use of the Snezhinka station in Yamal.

The Arctic Council’s SDWG met in Moscow in a hybrid format under Russian chairmanship, bringing 130+ participants and approving new projects on heritage preservation, Arctic COVID‑19 assessment, and permafrost resilience.

The Arctic Council marks 25 years of cooperation, highlighting its role in binding agreements, Indigenous participation, and climate‑focused governance.

Arctic Council states, chaired by Canada, issued a statement at the 2013 Diplomatic Conference on the Minamata Convention, welcoming its adoption and urging rapid implementation to protect Arctic communities from mercury pollution.

The Arctic Council launches the Arctic Demography Index to map population trends, migration types, and indigenous demographics across 19 Arctic territories, aiding sustainable development.

Dr. Mia Rönkä has been appointed Chair of the Arctic Conservation of Flora and Fauna Working Group, outlining priorities for inclusive co‑creation, Indigenous collaboration, and a joint climate research project with AMAP.

Dr. Jessica Nilsson, newly appointed Chair of the Arctic Council’s PAME Working Group, seeks to unite stakeholders and advance science‑based policy for the Central Arctic Ocean’s high‑sea fishing agreement.

The International Agreement to Prevent Unregulated Fishing in the High Seas of the Central Arctic Ocean has entered into force, banning commercial fishing by its 10 signatories for 16 years while science gathers data on the region’s emerging ecosystem.

The Arctic Council’s PAME Working Group is launching additional GPS‑equipped plastic capsules to trace how North Sea and Baltic litter enters Arctic waters, highlighting transport routes and informing mitigation.

At the 12th Arctic Council Ministerial meeting, EGBCM announced that Arctic States are on track to cut black carbon emissions by 25‑33 % by 2025, though methane emissions still rise.

Arctic Council ministers in Reykjavik signed the Reykjavik Declaration, adopted a first Strategic Plan for the next decade, and transferred the Chairmanship from Iceland to Russia, marking a milestone in Arctic governance.

The Arctic Council and IASC launched SAON in 2011 to create a pan‑Arctic observing system, promoting open data, Indigenous participation, and guiding long‑term monitoring through the AOS.

Arctic shipping traffic rose 25% between 2013 and 2019, raising environmental concerns and prompting Arctic Council coordination to safeguard marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

The Arctic Council’s Radiation Expert Group, formed in 2019, leads cross‑state and indigenous collaboration to assess radiological risks, conduct drills, and plan emergency response for nuclear‑related incidents in the Arctic.

The State of the Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity report shows climate‑driven changes—phenological mismatches, southern species encroachment, and food‑security threats—that require coordinated monitoring and policy action.

Mercury emitted globally travels to the Arctic, accumulates in ecosystems and Indigenous diets, prompting science‑driven policy efforts and action projects to reduce emissions and protect Arctic health.

The Arctic Council’s Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment released its third Arctic Shipping Status Report, finding a 44% rise in unique vessels and greater distances sailed in the Northwest Passage between 2013 and 2019.

The final Senior Arctic Officials meeting under Iceland’s chairmanship wrapped up in Reykjavik, reviewing 50+ deliverables and setting the stage for a May Ministerial with a new Russian chairmanship.

China has expressed interest in purchasing an airport in Finland’s Lapland to support flights for North Pole climate research, highlighting expanding foreign involvement in Arctic scientific infrastructure.