The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of January 13, 2020
Russia Unveils Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Russia has published its response to the ever-intensifying threat of climate change in its National Action Plan for the First Phase of Adaptation to Climate Change. The average annual temperature in Russia is rising 2.5 times faster than the global average, making it especially susceptible to the severe consequences of a warming planet. These consequences, discussed in the plan, include increasingly erratic weather patterns and further degradation of permafrost. The plan spans to 2022 and addresses key areas from economics to societal impacts, along with proposed measures for the federal and regional government. Additionally, the plan explores potential opportunities that may arise from climate change, such as an expansion in crop and livestock production and an increase in the productivity of boreal forests (High North News).
Take 1: Despite the disproportionate impact of climate change on the Arctic region, the Russian government has been reluctant to take substantial action. Following in the footsteps of other Arctic nations that have committed to more radical climate strategies, this plan shows promise and is indeed a step in the right direction. However, only time will tell if Russia’s competing interests in the extraction and sale of coal, oil, and natural gas, will bend to accomodate for a more ambitious climate policy. That being said, the plan does encourage progressive programs, like introducing climate change education in schools across the country.
More Shippers and Shipping Companies Promise to Avoid Arctic Routes
Environmental concerns have driven multinational corporations to voluntarily pledge that their products will not be shipped through Arctic waters. These companies include Nike, Puma, and Ralph Lauren, making up approximately one-third of the shipping industry by market share. This comes on the heels of an increasingly navigable route between Europe and Asia, known as the North Sea Route (NSR), that can be up to 40% faster than traditional routes (National Post, Supply Chain Dive).
Take 2: The Arctic ecosystem is exceptionally vulnerable and can be devastated by any oil spills shipping may cause. Multinational corporations that prioritize environmental concerns over profitability emphasize the severity of the climate crisis, but may also reflect a budding shift in the values of profit-driven organizations. While this pledge is inspiring for environmentalists who demand stronger climate action, especially from large corporations, Russia has invested a great deal of resources trying to bolster shipping in the NSR. It will be a huge loss to the Russian economy if their investments were to not pay off.
Big Blow for Swedish Oilmen: Arctic Fields Will Not Be Profitable
Oil fields located in the Barents Sea have been deemed impractical commercial investments after resource estimates show less hydrocarbons than initially anticipated. Lundin Petroleum, one of the biggest winners in the latest Norwegian license rounds, will likely have to abandon the area. Lundin’s decision impacts Equinor, the state-owned Norwegian company that holds most of the licenses in the area, as the two were set to collaborate in building infrastructure in the under-developed region. Without Lundin in the area, there will likely be more investments for the remaining companies, thereby changing the commercial oil landscape (Barents Observer, Oil Price).
Take 3: The dry wells are leading to radical downscaling of expectations in the Barents Sea. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate was originally counting on major oil discoveries in the Barents Sea to sustain Norway’s oil and gas production through the next decade in order to avoid an economic drop off after the mid-2020s. Arctic nations whose economies rely heavily on their earnings from the oil industry might now have to rethink their economic structure in the coming decade with the depletion of finite natural resources.
Death in the Arctic Wins Prize at Canadian Online Publishing Awards
Eye on the Arctic’s report titled Death in the Arctic won a silver medal at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPA). Death in the Arctic investigates the murder of Robert Adams, a 19-year-old Inuk from Northern Quebec. The journalist, Eilís Quinn, explores the impact Adams’ death had on the tight knit Inuit community of Arctic Quebec (EOTA, EOTA).
Take 4: The role provoking journalism has in inspiring institutional change is often underestimated. Analogous to how story-telling is a skill that is cherished in Inuit tradition, journalists act as modern-day storytellers. Statistics provide an overview of the severity of mistreatment of Indigenous people in institutional systems, but it is personal narratives such as these that can serve as a catalyst for large-scale change. Reports like Death in the Arctic give underserved communities a voice and light to situations that are often overlooked. While at first glance the report may just seem to chronicle the violent death of one young man, it is also a commentary on the shortcomings of the justice system, especially when pertaining to Indigenous crimes, as well as the lack of access to mental health services in the north.
A New ‘Barents Stream’ Pipeline Can Fuel Europe with Arctic Gas
A new study by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Gassco, and other stakeholders, reveals several potentially profitable gas transport options from the Barents Sea, including a pipeline. While previous studies concluded extending the pipeline all the way up north to the Barents Sea was not economically viable, recent technological innovations present pipelines as a frontrunner for bringing gas from the Barents Sea to markets in Europe. Another suggested alternative is to build a new LNG plant in connection with the Melkøya LNG plant, or develop a similar processing plant (Barents Observer).
Take 5: Seeing that almost a third of the natural gas demand in the EU is met by Norwegian oil companies, Norway is not only a key player in the energy landscape, but also requires an extensive gas transport system. Their ultimate decision on hydrocarbon transportation is sure to alter the dynamics of the energy landscape. While continued advancements in gas transport systems are promising for Norway, the potential investment in large scale infrastructure to transport greenhouse gas emitting substances does not bode well for the climate crisis.