Climate and the Arctic

Hanalys-seminar

Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Nordic countries

Opening Statement

Dear colleagues, dear Nordic friends,

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change spells out very clearly that there is no way to mitigate climate change without taking drastic actions. Addressing climate and environmental issues is, therefore, of utmost importance, including for the Governments of the Arctic States.

The Arctic warms at more than twice the global rate and Arctic warming trends are expected to continue towards mid-century. Scientists tell us that trends after 2050 will depend on today’s mitigation actions.

We are unfortunately at the point now that even in the best-case scenario, with a fully implemented Paris Agreement, the Arctic is expected to see its average temperature rise by at least 3-5 degrees Celsius around the middle of this century. The reasons for the drastic changes taking place and that will take place in the Arctic stem from activities outside of the Arctic. This calls for strong global action to reduce emissions to mitigate these changes, and, in the Arctic, we need strong adaptation efforts to deal with the drastic impacts, climate change is already causing in our part of the world.

This change brings about a new reality where economic activities, previously impossible or impracticable, become viable. Lesser sea-ice in the Arctic provides easier access to its natural resources and opens-up the feasibility of trans-polar shipping of goods. However, along with these opportunities come both new and increased challenges.

In our efforts to fight climate change we put strong emphasis on the core mandate of the Arctic Council - sustainable development and protection of Arctic environment. This goes hand in hand with our long-standing policy on science based environmental protection and sustainable use of marine resources. 

The Arctic Council and its Working Groups have a strong role to play in facilitating cooperation on projects related to climate change. To mention one Working Group as an example, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme has produced comprehensive circumpolar studies on acidification of waters in the high North. They include both state-of-the-art scientific knowledge as well as traditional knowledge and local knowledge.

The findings show that the fastest rates of ocean acidification are occurring in the Arctic and changes to biota are already evident. The Arctic and the subarctic regions yield a tenth of the global commercial catch. In addition, subsistence fisheries provide vital nutritional and cultural services to Arctic residents.

In combination with the warming of ocean waters, these changes may cause ecological shifts in the coming decades with significant socioeconomic consequences, not only for Arctic communities, but more widely. Fishing and the fish processing industry could decrease and offer lower employment. It is estimated that if this environmental change continues at the current rate, the fishery may only amount to one sixth of the annual catch compared to the catch without the impacts of ocean acidification.

The only viable response is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases globally as a matter of urgency. And we need to implement strategies to help Arctic communities build greater resilience in the wider context of environmental, social and economic change in the Arctic, tailored to local and societal needs.

The Nordic region has long been in the forefront of the global fight against climate change. We have a common vision to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. This includes ensuring that the private sector and investors invest greener and cleaner and take responsibility in the green transformation of our economies.

Iceland’s Government is strongly committed to our Nordic Vision and the Paris Agreement and we recently announced an increased ambition in climate mitigation, in emissions cuts, carbon removal and international climate finance.

However, we must do more if we are to reach our goal of carbon neutrality before 2040. We also need to remove carbon from the atmosphere and for that we need to focus on nature-based solutions, such as in afforestation and land- and wetland restoration. In addition to that we support the ongoing development of an innovative and highly promising carbon capture and storage solution, called CarbFix, that turns carbon dioxide into minerals in basaltic rock.

Dear friends, we often hear the phrase “what happens in the Arctic doesn´t stay in the Arctic” and unfortunately this is the truth regarding climate change. Therefore, it is even more important than ever that we, the Nordic countries, nurture the already good relationship and collaboration with each other and our other Arctic neighbors. It is only by strengthening the foundation, with both scientific knowledge, policy making and global cooperation, that we can address the challenges and opportunities that face us in the Arctic.  

Thank you again and I look forward to a fruitful discussion today.

Ávarpið var flutt á Hanalys-ráðstefnunni 10. febrúar 2021