Adapting to Change
UK policy towards the Arctic
Jane Rumble, Head of Polar Regions Department
Increasing Global Interest in the Arctic
What are the UK’s Arctic interests?
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UK is the Arctic’s
nearest neighbour,
with:
strong interests in the
strategic importance of
the region;
as well as climate
change and
environmental
protection;
scientific co-operation;
sustainable use of
mineral and natural
resources; and
transportation and
access.
Arctic is linked to global processes
The Arctic is inextricably linked to global processes, whether they are:
climatic
environmental
economic
Arctic changes have
potential to affect
UK, European and
global weather
patterns
UK shares a
common marine
and avian
biodiversity with
much of the Arctic
Thought to hold 25%
of world’s
undiscovered
hydrocarbons
Melting ice sheets
significantly
contribute to global
sea level rise
Potential shifts in
the distribution of
marine species,
including fish stocks
Potential new global
trade routes
Arctic Policy Framework
Tell the UK’s story
• Why it matters
Communicate existing policy
• What we are doing
Set the direction for future policy
• Adapting to change
Lay out the UK’s offer
• Our strengths
UK’s approach to the Arctic
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A new vision:
“work towards an Arctic that is safe and
secure; well governed in conjunction with
indigenous peoples and in line with
international law; where policies are
developed on the basis of sound science
with full regard to the environment; and
where only responsible development
takes place”
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Supported by three principles:
> Respect;
> Leadership;
> Co-operation,
and driven by science.
Respect
Leadership
Vision
Science
Cooperation
Based on Respect
For the
environment,
its fragility and
its central
importance to
the global
climate
Unique
environment;
changing
rapidly; not
fully
understood
Respect
Vast majority
of territory
falls within
jurisdiction of
Arctic States;
commitment
to existing
legal
framework
Respect
For the
sovereign
rights of the
Arctic States
For the views
and interests
of people who
live and work
in the Arctic
Indigenous
peoples called
it home for
millennia;
different
cultures,
languages
and traditions;
voice in
decision
making
Driven by science
Underpins
diplomacy
Is cooperative
Science
Contributes
understanding
Underpins
policy
UK Arctic policy in 3D
Vision
Human
dimension
• Work towards an Arctic that is safe and secure;
well governed in conjunction with indigenous
peoples and in line with international law
Environmental
dimension
• Promote an Arctic where policies are developed
on the basis of sound science with full regard to
the environment
Commercial
dimension
• Promote an Arctic where only responsible
development takes place
Human Dimension
Work towards an Arctic that is safe and secure; well governed in
conjunction with indigenous peoples and in line with international law
First tenet of UK Arctic policy:
to support and work cooperatively and
constructively with the Arctic States and the
Arctic’s indigenous peoples, bilaterally and
multilaterally, through fora such as the Arctic
Council.
Governance
Promoting good governance of the
Arctic, through existing fora and legal
mechanisms
Indigenous peoples
Respecting the views and interests of
Arctic indigenous peoples and
supporting their role in Arctic decisionmaking
Environment Dimension
Promote an Arctic where policies are developed on the basis of sound
science with full regard to the environment
Second tenet of UK Arctic policy:
to promote greater understanding of the Arctic through
international scientific collaboration and to promote
policy development on the basis of sound science.
Climate change
Biodiversity
Safeguarding the
environment from
commercial activity
Commercial Dimension
Promote an Arctic where only responsible development takes place
Energy security
Shipping
Third tenet of UK
Arctic policy:
to support legitimate and
responsible business
activity in the Arctic.
Tourism
Bioprospecting
UK commercial
expertise
Fisheries
Arctic Council and its Working Groups
ACAP
• POPs
• Mercury
• Black carbon
EPPR
• Search and rescue
• Oil spills
• Radiation
AMAP
• Ocean acidification
• Climate change
• Ozone depletion
PAME
• MPAs
• Marine traffic systems
• Arctic shipping
CAFF
• EBM
• Biodiversity
• Migratory species
SDWG
• Socio-economics
• Human health
• Cultural heritage
Promoting a Better Understanding
www.discoveringthearctic.org.uk
Questions?
Jane Rumble, Head of Polar Regions Department