Climate Change andFuture Scenarios in the Arctic

A Canadian PerspectiveVenezia, December 2014

Outline of this presentation

• Setting the Scene• Canadian priorities and context• Three themes of conference– Climate change– Sustainable development– Indigenous peoples

Setting the scene….

• Extensive existing legal framework

• Successful regional organization of Arctic States and indigenous peoples (Arctic Council)– All committed to sustainable development

and environmental protection

• The region is huge and diverse: climate change impacts vary

• Development is also taking place at different rates

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Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy:Four Pillars

• Exercising Canadian Sovereignty– Boundaries, continental shelf, Arctic governance

• Promoting Economic and Social Development– Sustainable development, trade and investment, human dimension

• Protecting the Arctic Environment– Ecosystem-based management, climate change, environmental

protection, science

• Improving and Devolving Governance– Indigenous peoples, northerners, youth

Context that informsCanadian approach and priorities

• Canada’s North on the cutting edge of our political, economic, social development and environmental protection• Nunavut

• Indigenous peoples make up over 50% of the inhabitants of Canada’s North• run oil and gas service companies, airlines

and much more

• Climate change and sustainable development matter to both indigenous peoples and our governments• The North is our home

© Paul Galipeau

Canada’s Chairmanship Priority Initiatives Addressing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

Facilitating Adaptation to Climate Change

Promoting Arctic Traditional Ways of Life

Promoting Traditional and Local Knowledge

Promoting Mental Wellness

• Arctic Economic Council (AEC)

• Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Prevention

• Arctic Marine Tourism Project (also mandatory Polar Code in IMO)

Migratory Bird Conservation

Enhancing Scientific Cooperation in the Arctic

Strengthening the Arctic Council

Arctic Climate Change

• Not accurate or fair to blame global climate changes on current Arctic development

• Long-standing priority for Arctic Council• 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment

• 2011 Snow , Water, Ice and Permafrost Assessment

• All Arctic States have reiterated commitment to…• Global, ambitious, inclusive agreement applicable to all

• Low-carbon economies

• Working with all to limit increase to below 2 degrees C

• Climate change has particular implications for northern communities

• Traditional lifestyles, infrastructure, navigability of waters

• Recent Arctic Council initiatives• Addressing short-lived climate pollutants

• Facilitating adaptation to climate change

© Paul Galipeau

© Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)

Development for the People of the North

• Overarching focus of our Chairmanship– Addresses two themes of this conference: sustainable

development and indigenous peoples

• Puts the human dimension of the Arctic at the centre and the interests of Northerners first– Arctic indigenous peoples contribute to decision-making and lead

on important initiatives

• Arctic Economic Council– foster circumpolar economic development

• Tourism, Shipping, and Oil & Gas– Comparisons and Forward-looking initiatives

Arctic Tourism

• Growing but still relatively small in Canada

• Response by Arctic Council/others: • Arctic Marine Tourism Project :

best practices for cruise ship operators travelling to Arctic communities.

• Complement s measures by other bodies, such as the International Maritime Organization and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators.

Arctic ShippingGrowing but great variability• Canada: increased interest in “visiting, experiencing and

understanding the region” but still relatively small• Northern Sea Route: much greater traffic than Northwest

Passage

Response by Arctic Council and others• Arctic Council Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement 2011

• First binding agreement

• Mandatory Polar Code: IMO adopts in November 2014 for entry into force in 2017

Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas

• Significant potential but….– Technologically challenging– Respecting indigenous claims– Expensive and facing competition from other sources (e.g., fracking)– Environmentally sensitive

• Canadian experience – Norman Wells: 1920– Beaufort Sea: ‘70s and ‘80s– Annual exploration rights calls: Beaufort Sea and Sverdrup Basin

• Response by Arctic Council:– Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Agreement – 2013– New Offshore Oil and Gas Guidelines (focus on prevention) – 2014– Arctic Maritime Oil Pollution Prevention: action plan for 2015 to establish regulatory cooperation

• Petroleum sector• Maritime safety

It’s not a race….

• Extensive existing international legal and institutional framework

• Arctic States and peoples are taking leadership, in collaboration with others, to address emerging issues in this huge and diverse part of the world.

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Thank youMerci

Qujannamiik