Science

Since 2017, the World Meteorological Organization has served as an Observer to the Arctic Council, engaging in AMAP and PAME to improve polar climate data, maritime safety, and support Arctic shipping and emergency response.

Since 2017, Switzerland has served as an Arctic Council Observer, contributing scientific expertise, attending meetings, and engaging in working groups to advance Arctic research and policy.

Japan, as an Arctic Council observer since 2013, contributes scientific expertise via institutions such as NIPR, JAMSTEC and Hokkaido University, and participates in working groups like AMAP and EPPR.

ACAP study shows that adopting best available technology and best environmental practices for associated petroleum gas flaring in the Russian Arctic could cut short‑lived climate pollutant emissions from 25 to 7 Mt CO₂‑eq by 2025, while boosting economic gains.

The Arctic Council’s One Arctic, One Health project, approved twice by ministers, builds cross‑state networks and exercises to improve preparedness for disease outbreaks and environmental disasters.

The Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee have outlined a roadmap—ROADS—to strengthen pan‑Arctic observing, emphasizing Indigenous participation and integrated data for climate and policy needs.

A 2019 Arctic Council workshop produced a report and recommendations that are shaping the Arctic Regional Action Plan on marine litter, with monitoring, community engagement, and industry outreach underway.

A GPS‑equipped capsule launched off Iceland in 2019 tracked 7,000 km over 207 days, proving marine litter can travel between Arctic and non‑Arctic waters and feeding a regional policy plan.

Arctic Council's PAME Working Group released its first Arctic Shipping Status Report, showing 25% rise in ship entries and 75% increase in distance sailed between 2013‑2019, highlighting growing shipping activity in the Arctic Polar Code area.

The International Arctic Science Committee, as an observer to the Arctic Council, describes its long‑standing role in contributing scientific expertise, facilitating research cooperation, and engaging with council working groups on pressing Arctic issues.

Since gaining observer status in 2013, Italy has leveraged its scientific expertise and funding initiatives to actively contribute to Arctic Council work, supporting research, indigenous interests, and sustainable development.

The 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.

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.

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.

The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program joined the GEO BON Arctic network, expanding collaboration among scientists, governments, and Indigenous groups to better track Arctic biodiversity.

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 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 2013 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden, saw ministers sign the Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response agreement and approve new scientific reports on Arctic biodiversity, ocean review, and acidification, establishing a new oil‑spill response

At Kiruna, Arctic Council states and Indigenous Peoples adopted a Vision for the Arctic and signed a binding marine oil‑pollution agreement, reviewing reports on biodiversity, marine environment, and acidification.

Arctic Resilience Interim Report documents rapid sea ice melt, snow decline, permafrost loss, warns of thresholds that could irreversibly alter ecosystems, and stresses natural, social, and knowledge resilience for adaptation.