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