The new EU arctic policy aims for a stronger engagement in the pole areas with concrete research projects and detailed goals to tackle climate change.
The joint communication ‘A stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic’ published on 13 October 2021 by the European Commission (EC) and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy aims for a stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous arctic. The released communication replaces the joint communication “An integrated European Union policy for the Arctic”, adopted on 27 April 2016. The legislative proposals under the European Green Deal together with the EU’s new approach for a sustainable blue economy supported by science, innovation and regional investment will be at the heart of the arctic engagement. Besides the importance of tackling climate issues, the EU’s full engagement is a geopolitical necessity, according to the new policy paper. Therefore, the EU’s actions must be based on its European values and principles, including the rule of law, human rights, sustainable development and the respect of international law.
The communication is structured into three main topics. The first of them is to build a region of peaceful cooperation given the new geopolitical setting. The EU will enhance the strategic foresight on arctic security risks, associated with climate change, working with partner countries and NATO. To support this, a European Commission Office in Greenland will be established to strengthen EU-Greenland cooperation. The next goal focuses on the participation and involvement in all relevant arctic council working groups. Furthermore, the EU will push for the ‘All-Atlantic ocean research alliance’ from pole to pole. Part of this alliance are so far the EU, Canada, the United States, Brazil and South Africa. This initiative intends to bring together and systematically connect all relevant actors across the Atlantic to identify research and innovation activities with long-term potential and impact. Additional EU objectives include making greater use of EU satellite systems and enhancing the cooperation between coastguards. The latter strive to work with key partners to strengthen the response capacities. Research and collection of data on the long-term implications of thawing permafrost will be promoted.
The second topic addresses the goal to make the arctic more resilient to climate change and environmental degradation. To achieve this, the EU will promote sustainable and responsible solutions in the arctic for extracting critical material needed for the green transition. In addition, global partnerships in the setting of the highest standards for reducing the environmental impact of processes for exploitation are set up. The EU enhances to boost earth and ocean observation, forecasting and climate prediction through a greater capacity to better anticipate the effects of global warming and extreme weather events. The EU intends to lead the drive for zero carbon emissions and polluting shipping in the Arctic Ocean as well as promoting faster and more ambitious emission reductions for shipping.
The third and last formulated goal focuses on stimulating an innovative green, blue and digital transition. To reach the set goals, it is necessary to promote science, research and innovation for the benefit of the arctic. In this context, the EU will invest in arctic research under Horizon Europe, enhance knowledge of health threats linked to climate change and support the “One Arctic One Health” project. This project aims to strengthen circumpolar networks to address One Health phenomena through a combination of knowledge sharing and collaborative investigations. One Health is a theoretical concept for developing and sustaining broad collaboration across disciplines to identify and manage health risks in human environments. The goal is to establish One Health point of contact in the arctic and permanent participating organisations. The EU advances its research on the societal and demographic impact of changes in the region and strives to boost digital connectivity through EU space programmes and the Connecting Europe Facility. Through EU funding programmes, especially the EU recovery plan, an innovative green transition should be stimulated where arctic regions can highlight future compatible job creation. The innovative transition emphasises energy efficiency, sustainable energy and industrial transitions.
The communication underlines the EU’s commitment to increase the engagement in and around the arctic, as a response to the geopolitical, environmental, economic, security and social challenges they face. The wide range of actions is building on ongoing work and in new areas of expertise. The EC will work with the European Parliament, the Council and other institutions to implement these measurements. Furthermore, the cooperation with key partners and stakeholders in the arctic and beyond will be further extended.