The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

increaseddifficulty of detecting land cover changes in a landscape of more limited species and the presence of snow and ice cover for extended periods, relative to the south. As the impacts of climate change produce more species diversity in the region and snow and ice cover is for shorter periods, the relevance of EO for biodiversity monitoring in the Arctic will increase. 5.4 Environmental Protection 5.4.1 Overview Environmental protection can be defined as the work conducted by individuals, organizations or governments for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Environmental protection is particularly critical in the Arctic because the region is highly sensitive and its human population and culture is heavily dependent on the health of the region’s ecosystems. In 1991, the eight Arctic countries (USSR, USA, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark and Canada) approved the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (Government of Canada, 1991). The Strategy deals with four themes: monitoring and assessment of contaminants; protection of the marine environment; emergency preparedness and response; and conservation of flora and fauna. The first theme – contaminants in the Arctic – is a major focus of attention, which is being handled by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) that was established under the aegis of the Strategy . 5.4.2 Policy Protection of the environment and conservation of vulnerable species is a policy priority for a number of Arctic nations. yy The Iceland in the HighNorth report calls for the strengthening of international cooperation on research and monitoring in the Arctic in response to changing environmental and social conditions in the region. Mention is made of the Arctic Portal (www.arcticportal.org), an Icelandic initiative that is playing an increasing role as an internet-based venue for communication and information sharing on Arctic affairs, research and monitoring. yy The Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands: Strategy for the Arctic 2011-2020 policy document states that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing are a serious threats to marine ecosystems and have considerable implications for conservation and rational management of marine resources. yy Norway’s New Building Blocks in the North report identifies cooperation with Russia on monitoring and increasing safety concerning nuclear reactors and nuclear waste as important. yy One of the objectives of Finland’s Strategy for the Arctic Region is to give support for research in the Arctic and long- term monitoring of the state of the environment as the basis for decision making (Heininen, 2011). Promotion of nuclear safety, especially on the Kola peninsula is an important objective.

and improved environmental assessments for industrial activities as key environmental protection measures.

yy The Canadian Arctic Foreign Policy includes the policy objective of promoting an ecosystem-based management approach with its Arctic neighbours and others. yy Russia’s Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic in the Period up to 2020 and Beyond policy document includes expanding protected areas (land and sea), recycling of their aging nuclear fleet, and chemical safety from industrial sites and mitigating contaminated sites as policy objectives. yy The US National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD – 66 concerning an Arctic Region Policy recognises that the Arctic ecosystem is unique and in transition due to human activity, with potentially serious consequences for northern communities and the Arctic ecosystem. A policy deliverable is to protect the Arctic environment and conserve its biological resources. Implementation should include identifying “ways to conserve, protect, and sustainably manage Arctic species. yy As a global leader in environmental issues, Germany promotes the mitigation of pollution impacts on the Arctic environment, flora and fauna. yy The EU Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – The European Union and the Arctic Region document identifies a policy objective of resource exploitation respecting strict environmental standards, taking into account the particular vulnerability of the Arctic, and in the case of fisheries, exploitation at sustainable levels, taking into account the rights of local communities. yy Policy objectives of the C169 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 – ILO169 include protecting and preserving the environment of the territories inhabited by indigenous and tribal peoples and safeguarding areas for traditional use (fisheries, reindeer husbandry). yy A policy objective of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal is increased protection of the environment by minimizing the generation and regulating the management (collection, transport, and disposal) of hazardous and other wastes. yy The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) Contracting Parties, or Member States, commit themselves to implementing the “three pillars” of the Convention: to designate suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance (‘Ramsar List’) and ensure their effective management; to work towards the wise use of all their wetlands through national land-use planning, yy India has proposed the declaration of the Arctic as a region free from nuclear weapons.

yy Sweden’s strategy for the Arctic region has environment protection as a main objective

yy Canada’s Northern Strategy: Our North, Our Heritage, Our Future includes establishment of protected areas

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 30