The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

US Arctic Region Policy- NSPD-66/ HSPD-25 (January 2009) Policy Objectives

The principal objective of the US Arctic Region Policy is to re-position the U.S. as an Arctic power and to establish priority areas and recommendations for relevant state departments and agencies. Subsidiary objectives are defined as: yy To meet national security and homeland security needs; yy Protect and preserve the Arctic environment; yy Sustainable resource management and economic development of Arctic resources; yy Strengthening international cooperation; yy Improving indigenous representation in decision-making; yy Enhancing scientific and research in local, regional and global issues.

Sovereignty

Prepared to act unilaterally or multilaterally to safeguard its Arctic interests, including in areas of missile defence, early warning systems, and maritime presence. Ensure the freedom of navigation and overflight, with specific reference to the Northwest Passage status as an international strait. Become a member of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea. Improve maritime and law enforcement by building capacity and capabilities. Encourage peaceful resolution of Arctic territorial disputes. Prepare for increased human activity in the region. Marine transportation for secure and reliable navigation. Developing safe navigation standards. Enhanced local, national and international search and rescue capabilities. Pursue marine ecosystem-based management in the Arctic. Investment in international scientific collaboration. Gain a better understanding of global changes and potential environmental and socio- economic effects. Address information gaps in expanding commercially fishing industry. Lead establishment of Arctic observation network. Seek to balance development with adequate research and assessment in the field of infrastructure, subsistence, community impact, living marine resources, alternative energy, etc. Work with Arctic countries to establish Arctic hydro-carbon best practices. Protect offshore resources to mitigate environmental and economic impacts. Improve the degree to which indigenous communities are consulted and involved in relevant decision-making forums. Develop scientific information on the adverse effects of pollutants on human health and the environment in order to reduce the introduction of key pollutants.

Policy Implications

Safety

Environment

Economic Development

Indigenous and Social Development

yy Ability to develop technical expertise to address challenges of off-shore drilling in the Arctic. yy Effective communications networks. yy Effective navigation ability in air, on land/ice and off-shore. yy Effective management regime to support vessel traffic-monitoring, navigation, standardized charting and timely environmental/navigational information. yy Adequate funding for relevant scientific research in multi-areas

Capability Requirements

yy Detection and monitoring of pollution events and human impact yy Socio-economic impact assessment of resource development yy Real-time satellite imagery and navigation data streams yy In-situ environmental observations yy Response mechanisms for offshore oil and gas leaks specific to the Arctic environment

Information Requirements

B.1.8 Russia Russia’s Arctic Policy to 2020 and Beyond (September, 2008) Facts in Brief

Jurisdiction: The policy was adopted by President Medvedev but has implications for all levels of government. Status: Russia’s Arctic Policy to 2020 was the first in a series of national policies that places the Arctic at the centre of Russia’s political and economic future. Elements of the policy can be found in the National Security Strategy to 2020 and Russia’s Energy Strategy to 2030, both released in 2009. The policy remains the overarching directive Coverage: The Arctic region of the Russian Federation is defined as being the territories of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Murmansk and Arkhangelsk oblast, Krasnoyarsk Kray, the Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs, as well as the islands located in the Arctic Ocean and the adjacent waterways, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. Interestingly, it limits the regional geography to the littoral Arctic states, as opposed to the more common Arctic eight states. Web link: http://www.scrf.gov.ru/documents/98.html

The policy defines the national interests of Russia in the Arctic as being: yy Using the Arctic resource base to improve the economic and social development of the country. yy Maintaining the region as a zone of peace and cooperation. yy Preserving the ecological diversity of the region. yy Expanding the opportunities of the Northern Sea Route.

Policy Objectives

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 56