Climate Change, A Catalyst For Arctic Cooperation

Context: Strategic importance of the Arctic Council is bound to rise in the upcoming decade. Climate change and its dramatic consequences must be a catalyst for Arctic cooperation.

About Arctic Council

• The leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation in the Arctic.
• Eight members: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States.
• Thirteen observers: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, China, Poland, India, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK.

Major challenges before Arctic Council

• Security challenges:
  • Claims and disputes: In 2007, Russian explorers planted their flag on the seabed 4,200m below the North Pole to articulate Moscow’s claims in the Arctic.
  • Militarisation of Arctic: Due to Russia’s intention to re-establish military might of its Northern Fleet.
• Environmental challenges:
  • Damages to the fragile ecosystem: The Arctic is likely to begin experiencing ice-free summers within the next decade. 
  • Rising extremities: 2021 recorded extreme heat in North America or wildfires in Russian Siberia (Yakutia), where the winter temperature can be below minus 40°.
  • The brunt of climate change: World Climate and Security Report 2020 notes the Arctic is warming nearly twice as fast as the rest of the planet with consecutive record-breaking warm years since 2014. 
• Strategic challenges: As a part of new opportunities due to environmental transformation and rapid ice melting.
  • Energy security issues and the need to diversify shipping lanes (Trans-Arctic shipping routes) remains the key interests.
  • China self-proclaimed its status as a ‘near-Arctic state’ and has been actively engaged in various projects across the region

Conclusion: the Arctic will continue to draw increased attention. All Arctic actors should refrain from mutual provocations, excessive militarisation, and quid pro quo tactics and have a long-term vision and strategic goals.