The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of September 23, 2019
Scotland’s Arctic Policy Framework
On Monday 23, Scotland issued its first ever Arctic Policy Framework, titled “Arctic Connections”. “Scotland’s northernmost islands are closer to the Arctic Circle than they are to London. Connections between Scotland and the Arctic, however, go much further than geographical proximity. Our communities share deep cultural and social links as well as similar challenges and outlooks”, it says in the introduction of the document (Scottish Government).It speaks, among other things, of historical and cultural ties, similar climate challenges as well as Scotland’s advancement in sustainable energy (EOTA, UArctic, HNN).
Take 1: At the launch event, Scotland’s External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said that it is the “starting point in a new exciting era for Scottish-Arctic relations. Our commitment to the region is clear and I am determined that Scotland remains an active partner in facing both the challenges and opportunities our ever-changing world presents” (UArctic). In times of Brexit uncertainties, Scotland’s determined readiness for a closer cooperation in the Arctic affairs seems very much welcome, but what would it get out of it?
Russia Commits To Fighting Climate Change, In Its Own Way
On Monday 23, Russian Government signed a decree on the Paris Agreement. In his comment on the occasion, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that climate change threatens the environmental balance, Russia’s key industries, and, among all other things, people’s security. The decree stresses the fact that the Paris Agreement does not oblige Russia to ratify it (Bellona, EOTA, IBO).
Take 2: This is a significant, yet belated step in the world’s climate change mitigation efforts. While Russia acknowledges the importance of the Paris Climate Change Agreement three years after its adoption, Whitehorse, Alaska, declares climate change emergency. Another peculiar point is Medvedev’s conviction that climate change threatens Russia’s industries. Unless the Russian Prime Minister believes the earth is flat, it might be reasonable to remind him and other politicians that industries are the ones threatening the life on earth, not vice versa. Especially keeping in mind that Russia is one of the world’s major emitters.
Russia’s Biggest Wind Park To Be Built in Murmansk
Italy and Russia team up for the building of the Kolskaya Wind Farm, reported International Barents Observer this week. Italian Enel and its subsidiary Enel Green Power are expected to build 57 wind turbines by 2021, making Kolskaya Wind Farm the one and only wind park in the Russian Arctic and one of the largest ones in the global North (IBO).
Take 3: Alongside with the first chargers for e-cars, Russia’s regional environmental initiatives seem to be slowly switching their focus. At the same time, one has to bare in mind the regional power politics and Murmansk’s active role in promoting itself as a new transport hub and one of the major LNG terminals in the European North, which will inevitably lead to an increase in its industrial demands and activities.
Barents Rescue Event Week 2019
One of the major rescue exercises in the European Arctic took place this week in Kiruna, Sweden. For four days in a row, experts from Finland, Norway, Russian, and Sweden tested their skills in civil international crisis management under northern conditions. The main focus of the exercise was enhancing disaster prevention capabilities with an emphasis on forest fires (Barents Cooperation).
Take 4: Together with other rescue exercises like e.g. Joint Arctic Search and Rescue organized by cruise ship operators, Barents Rescue is perhaps the most visible, concrete and practical outcome of the international cross-border cooperation in the European North.
First Arctic Town To Be European Cultural Capital, 2024
Good news came from Brussels this week, where Norwegian city of Bodø won a bid on being a European cultural capital in 2024 (Forbes).
Take 5: Bodø will be the first Arctic city to hold this status. Read more about what Bodø offered to the jury of the competition for the ECoC in High North News. While waiting for 2024, visitors are always welcome to attend the High North Dialogue, taking place every spring in Bodø, with The Arctic Institute as one of its organizers.