The EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment report was published in Brussels (18.11.2010). The report shows that the EU is already addressing many Arctic environmental challenges, but that certain new and growing impacts must be addressed, both through EU and multilateral efforts.

Climate change is predicted to bring significant changes in the Arctic, potentially creating new opportunities in the fisheries, shipping, tourism and energy sectors. However, threats to biodiversity and local communities are also likely to increase due to warming and increasing levels of pollutants in the Arctic, such as black carbon, mercury and POPs. New economic development could also present environmental challenges, including oil spills and habitat loss.

“The EU is an important stakeholder in managing the growing pressures in the Arctic. As a major importer of Arctic goods and a significant contributor to Arctic pollution, the EU has a critical contribution to make as Arctic states and neighbouring countries deal with both the costs and potential economic benefits as a result of climate change,” said European Commission official Nicholas Hanley.

The EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment project identifies a range of policy pathways, including stronger EU environmental laws, increased cooperation through multilateral agreements and international leadership, through which the EU can assist in managing Arctic pressures.

The report also used a novel method for calculating one region’s environmental footprint on another, devising a scorecard which shows how much the EU contributes to various Arctic pressures, such as transboundary pollution, tourism, demand for oil and gas, and fish imports. The report describes both market-based instruments and regulatory options for reducing many of the potential impacts from these economic sectors.

According the report EU is responsible for 59% of black carbon emissions in the Arctic, according to an impact assessment discussed by a group of experts. It was conducted by the EU-funded Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment Project. 

Arctic guidelines to ensure environmental safety

EU representatives also encourage greater cooperation, including through harmonising Arctic guidelines for shipping and oil extraction to ensure that safety and environmental protection are prioritised even as new opportunities in these industries arise. “Binding international rules are necessary to ensure that what happened in the Gulf of Mexico this summer does not happen in the Arctic, where mitigation would likely be much more difficult and clean-up costs higher,” emphasised Vice President of the European Parliament, Diana Wallis.

The EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment is another step towards a comprehensive EU policy strategy for addressing challenges in the Arctic. In 2009, the EU Council adopted the “Council conclusions on Arctic issues”, emphasising the need for gradual formulation of a policy on Arctic issues to address EU interests and responsibilities in the region.

European Environment Agency supports Arctic observing network

Nikolaj Bock from the European Environment Agency stated, “Arctic States and EU Member States can and should work more closely together to address transboundary environmental challenges. There are several areas where information sharing and coordination of related programs could be enhanced, and the European Environment Agency greatly support the efforts of establishing a Sustained Arctic Observing Network and have much to knowledge and experience to share from the European Environment Information and Observation Network in which five of the Arctic states already cooperate on common environmental challenges. Improved coordination on collection, dissemination and use of data and information will better guide decision makers through assessments and outlooks on the Arctic environment.”

Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment Project 

The EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment study aims to improve the effectiveness of EU environmental policies with respect to the Arctic region. The study assesses the EU‘s current footprint on the Arctic environment and evaluates how it could change over time. The effectiveness of the EU‘s current environment-related policies is analysed, including how these policies relate to current and future footprint scenarios. Options for improving EU policy are presented.

Arctic Centre’s Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law is a partner in the Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment Project.


Sources and more information:

- The EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment project 
- Press release 
- Summary of the assessment  (the full assessment will be released later)
- Sustaining Arctic observing networks 
- Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS)