Ice Geoengineering, Polar Bears, International Polar Year, and BRICS in the Arctic

Dear Arctic Highlights Subscribers,

With the launch of the 12th edition of Arctic Highlights, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our ever-growing community of over 500 subscribers who share a passion for the Arctic.

Your enthusiastic interest and support have been the driving force behind the success of this newsletter, and for that, I extend my thanks.

Yours,

Alexandra Middleton

Workers' Rights Violations in Finnish Lapland's Tourism Industry

The recent article in YLE brings attention to alarming concerns in Finnish Lapland's tourism sector. Tourism contributes significantly to Lapland's GDP, accounting for 5.7% in 2022, well above Finland's average of 2.5%. Foreign tourists contributed to a 30% increase in registered overnight stays by international visitors, reaching 1.4 million last winter. Despite recording over 2.2 million overnight stays in the last winter season, the treatment of foreign workers is under scrutiny, revealing systemic issues that demand attention. Misperceptions of tourism as a temporary pursuit contribute to undervaluing worker skills, hindering effective labor issue resolution. Foreign workers' unawareness of labor laws underscores the need for legislative reforms and increased government support. Particularly:

• Workers, particularly those from abroad, endure exploitative conditions, including long hours, underpaid wages, arbitrary employment practices, and overcrowded accommodations.
• Seasonal demands further intensify challenges, pushing workers to their limits during the winter rush.
• The rapid growth of the sector, combined with a cultural emphasis on tourists' experiences, amplifies vulnerability among foreign workers, fostering an environment conducive to exploitation
• Regional authorities acknowledge challenges, recommending workshops and information dissemination to empower workers and tackle systemic issues.

The article brings attention to labor conditions and transparency of labor agreements in the Arctic. If you are interested to learn more about the challenges of transient labor and modern slavery, please read about it in my article "Fly-in Fly-Out Workers in the Arctic: The Need for More Workforce Transparency in the Arctic".

Ice Geoengineering, Arctic Ocean and Indigenous Rights

In the article "Old Sea, New Ice: sea ice geoengineering and indigenous rights in Arctic Ocean governance" the authors Romain Chuffart , Aaron M. Cooper, Corine Wood-Donnelly , and Laura Seddon. study the complex relationship between sea ice geoengineering and indigenous rights in the Arctic Ocean, exploring the potential legal and ethical implications of implementing geoengineering as a solution to restore and maintain the Arctic ice cover.

Geoengineering involves deliberate large-scale interventions in the climate system, which can have potential environmental and social impacts, especially on Indigenous communities. From the Indigenous point of view, the introduction of ice-geoengineering as a climate solution poses challenges for the existing regulatory framework and knock-on effects for Indigenous peoples. The potential geoengineering of sea ice creates issues for international law, potentially infringing on Indigenous rights.

However according to the article, it might be possible to counterbalance anthropocentrism in international law by favouring the implementation of nature-centred visions, Indigenous-driven and -regulated climate actions as well as by prioritizing and reporting the voices of Indigenous representatives. The development of marine geoengineering in response to climate change needs integration into global ocean law and governance, with a focus on environmental or climate justice and the involvement of Indigenous and local communities.

Norwegian Seafood at China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai

Norway ranks second in global seafood exports, with an export value of 150 billion Norwegian kroner ($13.7 billion) in 2022. Seafood industry, second only to oil and gas, employs over 100,000 individuals, constituting 2% of the nation's population. China remains the most substantial market for Norwegian seafood in Asia, China's import of Norwegian salmon from January to September 2023 surged by 63%, reaching 31,400 metric tons.. The demand is expecting to grow as aligning with China's "Healthy China 2030" initiative,introducing more health-beneficial options to Chinese consumers.

CIIE serves as a pivotal platform for Norwegian seafood expansion in China. Participation in CIIE resulted in a 50% increase in the number of Norwegian seafood companies, fostering business connections. In 2023 Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) took 12 companies to the sixth CIIE. (Source: ChinaDaily)

Concept Note for International Polar Year Published

The challenges facing the planet include extreme weather events, escalating temperatures, rising sea levels, and broader environmental changes. These factors have far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, global economies, and the overall well-being of humanity. International Polar Year (IPY) is a large scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic regions. It is a collaborative effort among many nations and organizations to better understand the polar regions and their role in global processes. The IPY is typically held every 50 years, and the most recent one was the 4th IPY, which took place from 2007-2008. The upcoming 5th IPY is scheduled for 2032-2033. The IPY involves a wide range of research activities, including fieldwork, remote sensing, modeling, and data analysis, and aims to produce new knowledge and insights into the polar regions and their connections to the rest of the planet.

The 5th International Polar Year (IPY) aims to address several major knowledge gaps related to the polar regions and their role in global processes. These include:

1. Understanding the impacts of rapid environmental change in the polar regions, including changes in ice cover, permafrost, ocean circulation, and biodiversity.
2. Improving our understanding of the connections between the polar regions and the rest of the planet, including the role of the polar regions in global climate, ocean circulation, and atmospheric processes.
3. Enhancing our knowledge of the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of polar regions, including the impacts of environmental change on indigenous communities and the potential for sustainable development in the region.
4. Advancing our understanding of the polar regions as unique scientific laboratories, where we can study fundamental processes in physics, chemistry, biology, and other fields.

The International Polar Year (IPY) is guided by principles of international cooperation, interdisciplinary research, public engagement, capacity building, indigenous knowledge and participation, and environmental stewardship, reflecting its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, promoting international cooperation, and addressing urgent global challenges through targeted research and action. (Source: Concept Note)

Growing Role of BRICS in the Arctic

"International Municipal Forum of BRICS+" (MMF BRICS+), an annual event supported by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rossotrudnichestvo, and the government of St. Petersburg. "BRICS+" refers to the potential expansion of the original BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) by including additional countries or forming partnerships, aiming to extend collaborative efforts beyond the initial member nations. The forum serves as a platform for the growing influence of BRICS on the global stage. The 2023 edition attracted around 7,000 participants, including 2,000 foreign delegates from 200 cities worldwide. The business program included over 120 events, encompassing panel sessions, sections, roundtable discussions, working sessions, and training activities. The session titled "Multilateral Cooperation in the Arctic: Interests and Strategies" was moderated by Igor Pavlovsky, the director of the Information-Analytical Center PORA in St. Petersburg.

Non-Arctic States' Interests in the Arctic:

• Argentina

1. Scientific collaboration, biodiversity protection.
2. Notable step with a polar research document in 2022.

• Egypt

1. Mitigating climate change threats.
2. Implemented a national climate adaptation strategy in 2011.

• Iran

1. Arctic transportation, logistics, science, and education.
2. Focus on the "North-South" transport corridor through Iran.
3. Established National Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences in 1992.

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

1. Perceived as the most promising partner.
2. Active in climate change research, "Third Pole" initiative.
3. Collaboration with Russia in energy sector, joint ventures in maritime transit from 2025.

• Saudi Arabia

1. Priority areas: Energy, science, logistics.
2. Vision 2030 emphasizes cooperation in these sectors.
3. Potential platform for Arctic cooperation with Gulf countries (1920 Spitsbergen Treaty).

• Ethiopia

1. Interest: Environmental protection, climate change challenges.
2. Potential involvement in Arctic research and environmental issues.

In response to dwindling scientific ties with the West, Russian scientists seek to diversify collaborations. The emphasis is on expanding scientific contacts for ongoing work, with BRICS nations viewed as potential allies for polar research and Arctic initiatives. Despite differing Arctic identities, BRICS countries, all maritime powers, share a collaborative history in Antarctica.

At a multilateral level, a working group for ocean and polar research was established. Bilateral relations, notably with China and Brazil, intensify within BRICS, aiming for strategic cooperation through universities and specialized groups.

Russia and China Collaborate on Arctic Sustainability: Joint Projects in Oceanography and Marine Research

Russia and China are collaborating on significant joint projects aimed at achieving sustainable development in the Arctic region. Special Envoy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikolay Korchunov, highlighted their focus on projects crucial for the economies and sciences of both countries, particularly emphasizing sustainable development in the Arctic.

Officials' Statements: Korchunov stated that the projects are primarily oriented towards sustainable development in the Arctic, holding significant economic and scientific importance for both nations. The collaboration involves areas such as oceanography and marine research. Mao Ning, the official spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously expressed China's readiness to cooperate with Moscow across various domains, including the Arctic. (Source: here)

Arctic Nations Unite for Polar Bear Conservation

Russia, Canada, the USA, Norway, and Greenland have committed to joint conservation efforts for the endangered polar bear population in the Arctic. The collaborative agreement signifies a shared commitment to address conservation challenges faced by these iconic Arctic creatures.

Representatives from these Arctic nations recently held an online meeting to strategize and plan conservation efforts for the next two years. Discussions included reviewing past outcomes, evaluating ongoing initiatives, and addressing instances of polar bears approaching human settlements.

In response to polar bears frequently entering inhabited areas in the Russian Arctic, Rosprirodnadzor, Russia's environmental watchdog, established a specialized working group dedicated to ensuring the safety of both humans and polar bears in regions with frequent human-bear interactions. Over the past four years, experts have responded to more than 20 cases of polar bears entering human settlements, conducting unique and specialized rescue operations aimed at safeguarding both the polar bears and local communities.

Notable rescues in 2022 included a polar bear seeking help with a condensed milk can stuck in its mouth and another, named Dixon, found injured on Dixon Island. Moscow Zoo specialists, Rosprirodnadzor, and Norilsk Nickel collaborated in executing successful rescue operations. The meeting emphasized ongoing challenges in conserving polar bear populations and stressed the necessity for continued cooperation among Arctic nations. This collaborative approach aims to ensure the safety of both human populations and the vulnerable polar bear species in the Arctic region. (Source here)

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Yours,

Alexandra Middleton