The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of December 6, 2021

Research Shows Orcas Moving into the Arctic

Arctic Today reported on December 7 that scientists have found evidence that orcas are expanding their territory into the Arctic, where they were previously rarely sighted. According to the research conducted in Alaska using acoustic monitoring, killer whales are staying for longer in the region as ice sheets retreat and the species adapt to the region. The findings were shared by Brynn Kimber, a scientist from the University of Washington, in a December conference organized by the Acoustical Society of America in Seattle. (Arctic Today, ASA, EureKAlert)

Take 1: This development highlights the direct relationship between the effects of climate change on the Arctic and the changing patterns observed in Arctic marine wildlife. As the ice-sheets melt away, the risk of ice entrapment for the orcas is decreasing, allowing killer whales to expand their hunting season and range. As highly efficient predators of many species, including bowhead whales and beluga, the increasing presence of killer whales in the region will significantly impact the local marine ecosystem. For instance, one study published in Global Change Biology suggests that just 160 orcas can kill more than 1000 narwhals a year. Narwhals, bowhead whales and beluga are also all key food sources for local Indigenous communities living in the Arctic. The implications of the research findings therefore call for the global attention of researchers and climate activists. At the regional level, intergovernmental organisations such as the Arctic Council need to address these concerns to support both marine ecosystems and the communities which depend on them. The research provides an initial step towards this aim by pointing to research opportunities for researchers to better track the movements of orcas, which will help in acquiring critical information related to where and when they feed and calve, how long they stay, and how they will survive the Arctic for the next seasons and beyond. (Arctic Today, Global Change Biology, Nunatsiaq News)

Nornickel Tests Online System to Monitor Air Conditions in Norilsk

On December 6, TASS reported that Nornickel has started the testing of its online real-time system to measure and monitor air quality in Norilsk. First announced in October, the advancement of the monitoring system to the testing stage was declared at the 11th international Arctic: Present and Future forum that took place in St. Petersburg on December 2-4. If the local tests are successful, the air quality system will be used across the country to support a national environmental project. (TASS)

Take 2: The news from Nornickel is important as Norilsk is one of the world’s greatest emitters of pollutants. The company has a dubious ecological reputation, facing criticism for an oil spill in 2020 that was widely regarded as the worst Arctic environmental disaster in the 21st century. This points to the need to keep a statistical check on air pollution and record emissions as the first step in understanding and mitigating drastic changes in the environment. If such measures are not undertaken, it will directly conflict with Russia’s ambitions to start new ‘sustainable’ resource extraction projects in the region. In this way, keeping a check on air quality is a way to support Russia’s Arctic ambitions. (The Barents Observers, Sp Global)

First Plenary Meeting of Arctic Council Under Russian Chairmanship held in Salekhard

Arctic.ru reported on December 3 that the Arctic Council has held its first plenary meeting under the new Russian chairmanship of the council. The meeting, which took place on December 1-2, featured 180 representatives from the Arctic Council’s member states and 38 additional observer states. During the meeting, the need for responsible administration and sustainable development measures were discussed. The wellbeing of local and Indigenous communities, environmental protection, climate change, economic development, and strengthening the Arctic Council were identified as priorities of the upcoming chairmanship. (Arctic.ru)

Take 3: The Arctic has earned a reputation as a territory of peace, stability, and constructive cooperation. To this end, the role of the Arctic Council is vital in providing a common platform where members can discuss solutions for Arctic issues and collectively support the region’s inhabitants. At the same time, Russia will look forward to using its new position as chair to increase and leverage its influence in the Arctic, particularly after the international repercussions following the annexation of Crimea. This is evident from the appointment of Moscow State University’s Nikolai Shabalin as the Arctic Council’s Special Representative for Maritime Activity in the Arctic Region by the Russian chairmanship during the meeting. For Russia to further support its Arctic ambitions, it is important for the state to use the Arctic Council to improve its relations and play strategically in the so-called regional chessboard. This is especially important when Norway, Finland, and Denmark appear to be mobilising against Russian interests. However, this can also be considered a positive step towards collaborative efforts to maintain harmony and support responsible governance in the Arctic. (Arctic.ru)

India and Russia Planning to Enhance Arctic Energy Cooperation

On December 6, High North News reported that Russian government aide Yuri Ushakov has confirmed that Russia is keen to enhance energy cooperation in the Arctic with India, including the joint development of hydrocarbon fields in the Russian Far East. The news came as part of the recent meeting between Russian President Putin with Indian Prime Minister Modi at the 21st Annual India-Russia Summit, where 28 agreements in the energy, trade, culture, and educational sectors were signed. (High North News, Livemint, TASS)

Take 4: This development is important for the Arctic since India-Russia relations are an important emerging force in Arctic affairs- especially after the release of the draft Arctic policy in January 2021 by India. Comments made by Russian government aide Yuri Ushakov that India’s import of “Russian hydrocarbons is expanding,” coupled with the recent visit by President Putin to India where energy cooperation was discussed, hints towards enhanced economic engagement in future. India remains eager to diversify its access to energy resources due to its growing energy demand, and has shown an increasing interest in several Russian extractive projects in the past, including Arctic LNG 2. For instance, in 2019, India’s H-Energy and Petronet signed an agreement with Russian company Novak over LNG supplies. In consideration of these developments, it is evident that India is building momentum towards a stronger presence in the Arctic through energy cooperation. (High North News, TASS) 

Karelia’s Arctic to Receive Investments Worth up to $1.4billion

On December 3, TASS reported that Karelia’s Governor Artur Parfenchikov, has announced that Karelia’s north will be receiving an economic investment of 100 billion rubles ($1.4 billion) and the creation of more than 1,400 job-places in order to attract development in its Arctic districts. The statement was made on December 3 at the Arctic: Present and Future international forum held in St. Petersburg. (TASS)

Take 5: The decision highlights the increase in job prospects and investment opportunities for foreign companies as Russia plans to build a special economic regime in its Arctic zone. This development is beneficial as it will allow Russian companies in Karelia to import European equipment, while at the same time attracting international companies. On the other hand, it is important to understand the hurdles that may arise for Russia from such foreign investments, as Karelia occupies a sensitive place in Russian foreign and security policy. Located on the Russian-Finnish border, Karelia is known for its export-oriented economy and its interest in regional links, especially with the EU (as it exports raw material into Western Europe). Karelia also takes part in various cross-border cooperation projects to participate in international integration efforts, such as the international “Northern Dimension” initiative coordinated by the European Union, the Russian Federation, Norway, and Iceland. However, the relatively democratic nature of public institutions in the republic compared to other regions in the Russian federation presents a big challenge for the Russian government. In this context, these investments from foreign companies may challenge Russia’s influence in Karelia, especially when Karelia has always striven to distinguish itself from the rest of Russia, such as through political and socioeconomic modernization in accordance with the European model. While Russia plans to benefit from development in Karelia’s north, these investments might ultimately only enhance challenges for Russian influence in the region. (BalticWorlds, ETH Zürich)