Arctic Process

What is the purpose of the Arctic Ocean workshops in relation to the Ocean Decade?

To deliver an action plan for Ocean Decade activities in the Arctic 2021-2030 which coordinates, inspires and includes all interested parties.

 

How is the Ocean Decade Arctic process?

Click to see larger version of the figure

 

How will the Ocean Decade Arctic Action Plan be used and by who?

This process will result in a first iteration of the Action Plan for the Arctic region which will guide coordinated activities at the start of the Decade. The Task Force envisions that new iterations be required as progress is made during the Ocean Decade, and new needs, opportunities and collaborations arise.

 

The content of the Action Plan may also form the basis for guiding investment in strategic research, innovation and infrastructure by national and regional agencies. For example the European Commission has indicated that the next seven year research and innovation programme (Horizon Europe), will have emphasis on supporting the Ocean Decade. This is anticipated to translate into requests for R&I proposals to align with Ocean Decade goals.

 

The Ocean Decade global launch event in the summer 2021, will also highlight the action plan to a global audience.

 

What is the specific goal of the working groups and the workshops?

Each working group will identify what the challenges and solutions are for the Arctic region, for a particular societal outcome of the Ocean Decade. Participants are anticipated to bring all their ideas, priorities and knowledge about ongoing and wanted actions, partnerships etc. This will also include reflections on the feasibility and timing of actions.

 

How will the input from the working groups contribute to the final Action Plan for the Arctic Ocean?

The input will be delivered by the working group chairs to the drafting team (the Arctic Ocean Task Force), which will ensure that all key suggestions are reflected in the action plan.

 

What will happen after the working groups deliver their input?

A draft action plan will be made available online, and all stakeholders invited to participate in the online consultation on 16-17 March 2021 where working group chairs will present each contribution to the plan, and take questions from participants.

 

What is the difference between the ‘Arctic Action Plan’ and the ‘Ocean Decade Implementation Plan 2.0?

The Ocean Decade Implementation Plan (version 2.0 presently) is the overall framework developed by IOC Unesco, which will guide, scope and articulate the purpose, ambitions and tools of the global Ocean Decade efforts.

 

In comparison the coming regional action plans, of which the Arctic Action Plan will be the first, represent the translation of the global plan to a regional level. This is needed as sustainable development represents highly complex place-based challenges spanning both environmental, economic and social dimensions. All areas which demand regional interpretation to deliver solutions which are relevant for stakeholders spanning both industry, governance, science and local communities.

 

What should YOU prepare in advance for the workshop?

Be ready to briefly present yourself and your organisation (e.g. what activities are you already doing or planning), and have a clear idea about what challenges you see in relation to reaching the suggested societal outcome and what realistic actions, partnerships etc. would be able to address it.

 

When will the workshops happen and how?

All workshop meetings will be online. You will be contacted on email with link to Zoom meetings. Key dates include 22. October - Working group kick off meeting for all groups, followed by two to three dedicated workshops on 23 October, 5 November, and 18 November (if necessary) 2020. Specific time for meetings will be made available on this website.

Xls

Download overview of the workshop process

Key messages from the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan

• "In its present state of development, ocean science is largely competent for diagnosing problems"
• "The capacity of science to offer systematic solutions to issues of sustainability needs a massive upgrade"
• "The Implementation Plan for the Decade presents a number of directions for research and development"
• "The focus of the Decade is on science because it can inform us what needs to be done and how"
• "We also need to find out who has to do what"

The Ocean Decade's Arctic process is being organized and hosted by the Danish Centre for Marine Research with planning and guidance from the Ocean Decade Arctic Task Force.

Members of the Task Force

The Task Force is comprised of representatives from research and policy communities working in the Arctic in addition to IOC UNESCO (to ensure alignment with the wider Ocean Decade process) and representatives from Danish Centre for Marine Research. To support an international focus, rather than national interests, the task force members have been selected in their capacity of representatives of international institutions, communities, networks, efforts etc.

Presently the task force includes:

• AMAP/SAON (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme/Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks). Represented by Jan Rene Larsen / Craig Lee
• ArcticNet (Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence). Represented by Jackie Dawson
• AOOS (Alaska Ocean Observing System). Represented by Molly McCammon
• APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists). Represented by Anna Gebruk
• DCMR (Danish Centre for Marine Research) who organizes and lead the process. Represented by Colin Stedmon, Steffen Olsen, Karen Edelvang and Christian Riisager-Simonsen
• DPS (Danish Polar Secretariat at the Agency for Science and Higher Education), Represented by Frej Sorento Dichmann
• IASC (International Arctic Science Committee). Represented by Lee Cooper
• ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) represented by Julie Kellner
• IMO (International Maritime Organization). Represented by Sascha Pristrom Goal-based-Standards (GBS) Implementation Officer in the Maritime Safety Division, and Loukas Kontogiannis head of marine pollution in the Marine Environment Protection Division
• IOC UNESCO, who plans the Ocean Decade. Represented by Henrik Enevoldsen and Marie-Elaine Boivin
• Kawerak Marine Program, who works better inclusion of Indigenous priorities. Represented by Austin Ahmasuk and Adelaine M. Ahmasuk
• PAME (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group, Arctic Council). Represented by Paula Kankaanpää
• Research Council of Norway, who organized the preparatory “Arctic Ocean Decade Policy-Business-Science-Dialogue” in Troms January 2020. Represented by Jon L. Fuglestad

What is the role of the Task Force?

Throughout the planning process the Task Force serves as an international advisory committee to the organizers, both in terms of organizing the process, scoping of key documents and reaching out to the broader community.

Following the 2020 autumn process where 7 working groups will produce input to the action plan, which will be drafted by Danish Centre for Marine Research, the task force will additionally be responsible for reviewing the action plan.

Who should I contact with questions for the organizers or Task Force?

To get in touch please write the organizers from Danish Centre for Marine Research’s secretariat Colin Stedmon and Christian Riisager-Simonsen at dch@danskhavforskning.dk

Background

The development of an Ocean Decade - Arctic Ocean Action Plan included workshops from October to December 2020 centered around the societal goals of the Ocean Decade to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to:

1. Network with other Arctic actors from science, governance, industry and NGOs to identify key shared Ocean Decade priorities for the Arctic Ocean.
2. Participate directly in dedicated working groups to draft the key inputs to the Ocean Decade - Arctic Action Plan, including potential partnerships for Arctic activities that support the goals of the Ocean Decade. Participation in working groups include participation in at least two online meetings. Learn more about the workshop process
3. Support the final drafting and presentation of the action plan.

The process are hosted by the Danish Center for Marine Research in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

Unlike the former Ocean Decade regional workshops, the Arctic process takes place after the adoption of the implementation plan by the UN General Assembly, and will thus have stronger focus on identifying and drafting actual realistic actions.

Working groups

Working group 1:

How to achieve – A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified, reduced or removed.

Chairs

• Colin Moffat - Scottish Government (UK)
• Toril Inga Røe Utvik - Equinor (Norway)

UNDOS scope of the topic

Society generates a vast range of pollutants and contaminants including marine debris, plastic, nutrients, underwater noise, pharmaceutical pollutants and heavy metals. These pollutants and contaminants derive from a wide variety of land and sea-based sources, including point and non-point sources.

 

The resulting pollution is unsustainable for the ocean and jeopardises ecosystems, human health, and livelihoods. It will be critical to generate interdisciplinary and co-produced knowledge on the causes and sources of pollution and its effects on ecosystems and human health.

 

This knowledge will underpin solutions co-designed by multiple stakeholders to eliminate pollution at the source, mitigate harmful activities, remove pollutants from the ocean, and support the transition of society into a circular economy.

 

Examples of issues and actions

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome.  

• Challenge
  • Sustained international coordinated pollution source and distribution mapping
  • Characterising new threats to Arctic marine ecosystems and the risk to environment and humans of current and future arctic marine pollution
  • Ensuring the necessary local cooperation across the Arctic
• Action
  • Advance the categorisation of relevant pollutants in the Arctic
  • Increased international coordination of sustained mapping and reporting efforts 
  • Regionally coordinated action plans to manage pollution sources
  • Active involvement of local communities  

 

Working group 2:

How to achieve – A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood and managed.

Chairs

• Brendan Kelly - University of Alaska Fairbanks (USA)
• Katherine Richardson - University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

UNDOS scope of the topic

Degradation of marine ecosystems is accelerating due to unsustainable activities on land and in the ocean. To sustainably manage, protect or restore marine and coastal ecosystems, knowledge of these ecosystems, and their reactions to multiple stressors, needs to be enhanced. This is particularly true where multiple human stressors interact with climate change, including acidification and temperature increase.

 

Such knowledge is critical to developing tools to implement management frameworks that build resilience and avoid ecological tipping points, and thus ensure ecosystem functioning and continued delivery of ecosystem services for the health and wellbeing of society and the planet as a whole.

 

Examples of issues and action

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome. 

 

Challenge

• Understand the effects of multiple stressors on arctic marine ecosystems
• Understand what solutions will be best to protect, monitor, manage and restore ecosystems and their biodiversity
• Ensuring that progress also benefits local Arctic communities

Action

• Identification of the key stressors at key locations, their temporal variability and their source(s)
• Study of the impacts on biodiversity and function, resulting from exposure to multiple stressors
• Improved understanding of the impacts of multiple stressors on marine ecosystem services, in particular climate change o Development of marine spatial planning initiatives, marine protected areas and ecosystem-based management practices towards good Arctic ocean stewardship o Initiate internationally coordinated habitat restoration or protection initiatives.
• Identification of the state, functioning and value of Arctic marine geosystems, including diversity and heritage in relation to designation of marine protected areas.

 

Working group 3:

How to achieve – A productive ocean supporting sustainable food supply and a sustainable ocean economy.

Chairs

• Anne Christine Brusendorff - ICES (International)
• Henry Huntington - The Ocean Conservancy (USA)

UNDOS scope of the topic

The ocean will be a foundation for future global economic development and human wellbeing, including assuring food security and secure livelihoods for hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest people. Knowledge and tools to support the recovery of wild fish stocks, deploy sustainable fisheries practices, and support the sustainable expansion of aquaculture, while protecting essential biodiversity and ecosystems, will be essential.

 

The ocean also provides critical goods and services to a wide range of established and emerging industries including extractive industries, energy, tourism, transport and pharmaceutical industries. Each of these sectors has specific needs in terms of increased knowledge, and support to innovation, technological development and decision support tools to minimise risk, avoid lasting harm, and optimise their contribution to the development of a sustainable ocean economy.

 

Examples of issues and actions

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome.  

 

Challenge

• Predicting the potential future opportunities for a sustainable blue Arctic economy
• Ensuring that progress also benefits local Arctic communities
• Ensure long-term food security in the Arctic
• Developing a model for sustainable management of marine resources, which is supported by local stakeholders
• Future needs for marine-geological resources that are essential for a sustainable economic development, e.g. quartz sand, critical minerals such as REE’s

Action

• Assess current and future exploitation potential of wild fish/seafood stocks and aquaculture in the Arctic
• Identify main challenges and solutions for increasing or managing different types of sustainable tourism, offshore renewable energy or extractive industries
• Development of geodiversity variables and operational indicators to assess the pressure impact on Arctic marine geosystems and ecosystems, and to support sustainable planning and management of resources 

 

Working group 4:

How to achieve – A predicted ocean where society understands and can respond to changing ocean conditions.

Chairs

• Sandy Starkweather - CIRES/CU-NOAA (USA)
• Mark Payne - Technical University of Denmark (Denmark)

UNDOS scope of the topic

The vast volume of the ocean is neither adequately mapped or observed, nor is it fully understood. Exploration and understanding of the changing ocean including its physical, chemical and biological components and interactions with the atmosphere and cryosphere is essential, particularly under a changing climate.

 

Such knowledge is required from the land-sea interface along the world’s coasts to the open ocean, and from the surface to the deep ocean seabed. It needs to include past, current and future ocean conditions. More relevant and integrated understanding and ultimately prediction of ocean ecosystems and their responses and interactions will underpin the implementation of ocean management that is dynamic and adaptive to a changing environment and changing uses of the ocean.

 

Examples of issues and actions

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome.

 

Challenge 

• The Arctic marine environment is inadequately mapped, observed, and poorly understood
• Climate change impacts on established and emerging maritime industries
• Enabling Arctic local communities to respond adequately to increasing levels of ecosystem change

Action

• Establish commitment for and develop a coordinated sustained Arctic marine observation program encompassing biotic, abiotic, industrial and socio-economic parameters
• Strengthen capacity for prediction of arctic marine ecosystems and their responses and interactions
• Develop processes inclusive of Indigenous knowledge and highly local needs
• Identifying the potential impacts of Arctic change on established and emerging maritime industries and how to address them, e.g. opening of new Arctic shipping routes

 

Working group 5:

How to achieve – A safe ocean where life and livelihoods are protected from ocean-related hazards

Chairs

• Matthew Owen - Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (Denmark)
• Lena Holm Saxtoft - SKULD (Denmark)

UNDOS scope of the topic

Both geophysical and human induced hazards create devastating, cascading and unsustainable impacts for coastal communities, ecosystems, and economies. The changing frequency and/or intensity of weather- and climate-related hazards is exacerbating these risks. Mechanisms and processes for assessing the risk, mitigating, forecasting and warning of these hazards and formulating adaptive responses are required to reduce short- and longer-term risks on land and at sea.

 

Higher density ocean data and improved forecast systems—including those related to sea level, marine weather and climate are needed from near real time through decadal scales. When these enhancements are linked to education, outreach, and communication, they will empower policy and decision-making and mainstream individual and community resilience.

 

Examples of issues and actions 

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome.

 

 

Challenge

• To identify and quantify current and future threats to coastal Arctic communities, and develop mitigation and forecasting approaches 
• Ensuring safe shipping in increasingly ice free waters

Action

• Establish the need for coordinated early warning systems for marine, incl. geo-hazards 
• Development of a coordinated Arctic Ocean Observation System, covering key societal, environmental and industrial priorities
• Understanding present gaps and needs in shipping safety and SAR coverage

 

Working group 6:

How to achieve – An accessible ocean with open and equitable access to data, information and technology and innovation.

Chairs

• Nicole Biebow - Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany)
• Molly McCammon - Alaska Ocean Observing System (USA) 

 

UNDOS scope of the topic

Inequalities in ocean science capacity and capabilities need to be eradicated through simultaneously improving access to data, knowledge, and technology, and by increasing skills and opportunities to engage in data collection, knowledge generation and technological development. Increased dissemination of relevant ocean knowledge to the scientific community, governments, business and industry, and the public through relevant and accessible products will improve management, innovation and decision-making contributing to societal goals of sustainable development. 

 

Examples of issues and actions

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome.

 

Challenge 

• To optimise transnational sharing of data and infrastructure relevant for Arctic marine communities, research and development
• Development of enabling technologies capable of being used consistently in Arctic environments
• To ensure access to data, information and products across wide range of internet and bandwidth capacity

Action

• Identification of key data, with high demand across sectors
• Development of a system for a higher degree of open access to Arctic data and infrastructure and sharing of best practices
• Partnerships on the development of key high demand technology needed in the Arctic for the Blue Economy
• Development of a system capable of disseminating data products identified as key priorities in other working groups, including those of an integrated Arctic Observing System

 

Working group 7:

How to achieve – An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean in relation to human wellbeing and sustainable development.

Chairs

• Raychelle Danielle - Pew trust (USA)
• Gunn-Britt Retter - Saami Council (Norway)

UNDOS scope of the topic

In order to incite behaviour change and ensure the effectiveness of solutions developed under the Decade there needs to be a step change in society’s relationship with the ocean. This can be achieved through ocean literacy approaches and other public awareness and education tools that will build a significantly broader understanding of the economic, social, and cultural values of the ocean and the plurality of roles that it plays to underpin health, wellbeing and sustainable development.

 

This outcome will highlight the ocean as a place of wonder and inspiration, thus also influencing the next generation of scientists, policy makers, government officials, managers and innovators.

 

Examples of issues and actions

Examples of potential issues and actions to be discussed by working groups based on the Task Force’s interpretation of the outcome.

 

Challenge 

• Recognition of the importance of the role of the marine ecosystems as basis for sustainable development in the Arctic
• Ensuring increasing capacity building among Arctic people and stakeholders working in the Arctic Blue Economy

Action

• Facilitate the integration and recognition of Indigenous knowledge across all themes of the Arctic Action plan
• Efforts on Arctic capacity building (ocean education) and resource-sharing between countries and communities
• Development of an Arctic regional cooperation on ocean literacy approaches, including of strategies for contributions to global ocean literacy initiatives that focus on the long range effects of Arctic change
• Development of global outreach initiatives on improving understanding of the economic, social, and cultural values of the ocean and the roles that it plays to underpin health, wellbeing and sustainable development
• Recognizing the importance of shared logistical platforms and building international collaboration to meet the challenges of working in the Arctic

Time schedule for meetings

Meeting	Date	Time (GMT)	Theme
Preparatory meeting –only for the chairsin the working groups (WG)	01 Oct 2020	15:00-16:00	Introduction to the process and the role of the WG chairs
Joint KICK OFF meeting for the working groups –all participants	22 Oct 2020	15:00-16:00	Introduction to the process, ambitions and expectations
1st WG meeting in working groups – all participants	23 Oct 2020	14:00-16:00	WG discussion of Action plan content and initial drafting
2nd WG meeting in working groups –all participants	05 Nov 2020	14:00-16:00	Continued drafting of content
3rd WG meeting in working groups (if necessary) –all participants	18 Nov 2020	14:00-16:00	Additional date if required for drafting or discussions

 

Presentations

Slides from WG chair preparatory meeting, 1 October 2020

Slides from WG member Kick Off meeting, 22 October 2020

Background documents

Below is a list of literature which can support working group discussions and will be referenced to or aligned with during the formulation of the Action Plan. The list is not exhaustive and is anticipated to grow throughout the Arctic process.

Draft Arctic Ocean Decade Action Plan, October 2020

IOC Unesco (2020) Ocean Decade Implementation plan v2
This document provides a framework for developing initiatives in the Ocean Decade. It is expected to evolve during the Decade as new opportunities and challenges arise. It incorporates points brought forward by discussions held in a series of global, thematic, and regional planning meetings held between June 2019 and May 2020.

Summary report of the Arctic Ocean Decade workshop: Policy - Business - Science - Dialogue (2020)
This report summarises the outcome of a one day workshop covering four of the Ocean Decades six societal outcomes: a clean ocean, a healthy and resilient ocean, a predicted ocean and a sustainably harvested and productive ocean. For each area knowledge gaps are highlighted and some cross cutting topics are indicated.

Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) Roadmap for Arctic Observing and Data Systems (ROADS)
Document presenting a vision for an Arctic Observing system representing a transition shift from partnerships to a systematic collaboration. Proposes the development of  a systems-level view of observing requirements and implementation strategies.

Arctic Council Arctic Marine Strategic Plan 2015-2025
This document outlines forty strategic actions that address four overarching  Arctic marine ecosystems strategic goals focused on knowledge generation and observation; conservation and protection; safe and sustainable use; and economic, social and cultural well-being in the region.

Agreement to prevent unregulated high seas fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean
The objective of this Agreement is to prevent unregulated fishing in the high seas portion of the central Arctic Ocean through the application of precautionary conservation and management measures as part of a long-term strategy to safeguard healthy marine ecosystems and to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of fish stocks.

IASC Strategic Plan (2018-2023)
Five year plan for the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) which is a non-governmental scientific organization providing scientific and technical advice, and promoting cooperation and periodically reviewing the status of Arctic science. The plan identifies three core aims: facilitating Arctic research collaboration; promoting engagement and ensuring knowledge exchange.

Integrating Arctic Research – a Road- map for the Future ICARP III report (3rd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning
This report was initiated by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and presents a framework for the development of cross-cutting, interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary initiatives for advancing Arctic research cooperation and applications of Arctic knowledge. It identifies three research areas that require attention: The role of the Arctic in the global system; Observing and predicting future climate dynamics and ecosystem responses; and Vulnerability and Resilience of Arctic Environments and Societies and Supporting Sustainable Development.

Royal Society Global Environmental Research Committee (2018) Polar Science–Perspectives 
Document describing a UK perspective on the research priorities for polar regions.

AMAP/EU-PolarNet International Stakeholder Workshops on Research Needs. Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), Tromsø, Norway (2020)
Document presenting the outcome of four joint EU-PolarNet workshops with AMAP dedicated to stakeholder dialogue on an Integrated European Polar Research Programme with emphasis on key research needs related to Arctic ecosystems and human health and wellbeing in the Arctic.

EU-PolarNet White paper no. 1 The coupled polar climate system: Global context, predictability and regional impacts
Document presenting the state and research needs related to Polar climate science.

EU-PolarNet White paper no. 2 Footprints on Changing Polar Ecosystems: Processes, Threats, Responses and Opportunities for Future Generations
Document presenting the state and research needs related to the anthropogenic impact in Polar regions and possible opportunities to address them.

EU-PolarNet White paper no. 3 Managing human impacts, resource use and conservation of the Polar Regions
Document presenting the state and research and governance needs related to the management of Polar socio-ecological systems and their resources.

EU-PolarNet White paper no. 4 The Road to the Desired States of Social-ecological Systems in the Polar Regions
Document presenting the potential pathways to achieving desired societal goals related to Polar regions.

EU-PolarNet White paper no. 5 Advancing operational informatics for Polar Regions
Document presenting the state and research needs related to operational levels of informatics in polar regions from.

EU-PolarNet White paper on European polar data accessibility (2020)
Document presenting the state and research needs related to polar data accessibility from a European perspective.

An integrated European Union policy for the Arctic (2016). Joint communication to the European parliament and the Council
Document presenting the European Commission’s latest major policy communication regarding “An integrated European Union Policy for the Arctic. It particularly highlights three priority areas: climate change and safeguarding the Arctic environment; promoting sustainable development in the region; supporting international cooperation on Arctic issues.