The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of February 4, 2019
Svalbard up to 10°C warmer
Following the recent reports on the incredible temperature increase in the Canadian Arctic, this week’s news highlights alarming climate changes on the Svalbard archipelago, Norway. According to the latest report of the Norwegian Environmental Agency, “Climate in Svalbard 2100”, the average temperature on Svalbard is likely to increase by almost 10°C during this century. Such a stark increase is already leading to dramatic changes in Svalbard’s ecosystem and the living conditions of the local population. To slow down the devastating impact of these changes, the world will need to significantly reduce its use of hydrocarbons to limit global greenhouse gas emissions (IBO, EOTA, The Strait Times). In the meantime, 2018 has been ranked as the fourth warmest year in a row on global record (EOTA).
Take 1: The “Climate in Svalbard 2100” report is only the latest in a parade of foreboding publications on the Arctic ecological, economic, and social fate as a homeland to people and ecosystems alike in a rapidly warming world. Will Norway’s transition to a low-carbon economy and America’s Green New Deal be enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius? Only time will tell.
Siemens to supply equipment for the Arctic LNG 2 project
On February 1, Siemens signed a contract with PAO Novatek to supply several gas compressors for the Arctic LNG 2 project. The contract also implies localization of the production process in Russia. Following the successful implementation of the Yamal LNG project, which was fully launched in 2017 and reached 10 Million Tons on February 4, 2019, Novatek is now seeking to further expand its exploration and resource extraction activities on the Gydan peninsula. The Arctic LNG 2 project is projected to begin operation in 2023 (HNN, Yamal LNG).
Take 2: Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project is indeed moving forward at a remarkably high speed. In December 2018, PAO Novatek signed another significant contract with SAREN, a joint venture of Renaissance Heavy Industries Russia (RHI Russia B.V.) and SAIPEM S.p.A (Italy), for the design and construction of three gravity-based platforms for the implementation of the project. Despite all high-level chilly political tensions, European and non-European energy supply stakeholders are warming up to Gydan and the Yamal peninsulas investments. Could this be the new (exclusively Novatek owned) economic gateway into the Russian Arctic?
Finland joins Rail Baltica
On February 1, Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kadri Simson presented a railway development plan. The plan established a public company, Oy Suomen Rata AB, to serve as the implementation organization behind the recent railway initiative. Ultimately, the plan aims to transform Finland to a “central hub for passenger, goods and information traffic”. The Finnish government is said to provide €2 million upon joining the Rail Baltica venture (EOTA, ERR).
Take 3: Alongside Rail Baltica, which would allow Finland to establish closer transport connections with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Finnish long-term vision for railway development imply improving railway infrastructure in its remote Arctic regions. The creation of a public railway company could be seen as a move towards constructing this long-anticipated, yet highly controversial, Arctic “corridor.” This new railway corridor between Rovaniemi and Kirkenes would help Finland to easily access strategic ports in the Arctic Ocean — and provide a real-life polar express to Joulupukki’s village.
Barents Observer keeps fighting Roskomnadzor
Last week, The Independent Barents Observer got a warning from the Russian media control agency. In its letter, Roskomnadzor noted alarm at an article about Dan Eriksson and his years-long struggle against homosexuality taboos in northern Sweden. The Russian agency argued that the content of the article informs about the ways to commit suicide and therefore violates the Russian Federal Law on “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection”. The Independent Barents Observer had 24 hours to remove the article, facing a threat of being blocked in Russia (IBO).
Take 4: As anticipated, The Independent Barents Observer (IBO) did not comply to the demands of the Roskomnadzor. The IBO instantly got wide support from several Swedish and Russian independent media, which extensively reported on the issue. The recent tendency of Russian authorities to ban and close down both domestic and foreign information services is extremely alarming. For those working on human rights protection in Russia and trying to maintain cross-border cooperation despite facing professional and personal threats, it makes an already challenging pursuit more difficult.
Arctic Council on the eve of changes
On February 5, High North News reported on groundbreaking changes taking place within the Arctic Council. In an interview with Tommy Flakk, Senior Advisor at the Norwegian MFA’s High North desk, the Arctic Council is said to be working on a new strategy which would reflect its updated vision and priorities. The new strategy will take new participants and new challenges into account, and redefine its ever-growing role on the international stage. The strategy is expected to be presented in May 2019 when Iceland will take the lead after two years of Finland’s chairmanship (HNN). Also read a recent assessment on the future of the Arctic Council here.
Take 5: For all the news articles warning of a new Cold War in the Arctic, the Arctic Council still remains a successful international forum for high-level officials for cross-border cooperation. The Arctic Council has recently been criticized for its limited role in the decision-making processes, and its inability to provide clearer and stricter guidelines and regulations for the stakeholders. The projected changes of the overall strategy of the Arctic Council and the expansion of its working areas and groups put the Council on track to take advantage of the region’s growing international significance and influence.