RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS TO ARCTIC CHALLENGES

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1 RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS TO ARCTIC CHALLENGES

2 Published december 2015 Tekst: creodk Design: Refleks / refleksdesign.dk

3 DANISH UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP ON ARCTIC RESEARCH: UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK AND COPENHAGEN BUSINESS SCHOOL

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5 Arctic challenges 5 INTRODUCTION Rapid climate change in the Arctic is a well-known, recognised issue. Most of the planet is increasingly influenced by climate change, but global warming is visibly altering the Arctic, leading to numerous challenges, not only for the Arctic but for the entire world. With the decrease in the permanent ice cap and glaciers and extended periods of ice-free navigable sea, interest in the economic potential of raw materials and natural resources such as oil and gas is growing. Economic growth is a high priority for societies in and outside the Arctic. But how will industrialisation of the Arctic affect its pristine environment, inhabitants and the fragile socio-economic balance between nature and human beings? Is it possible to establish a new global partnership capable of sustainably navigating resource extraction, environmental protection and Arctic societal development? Transdisciplinary research combining the natural and social sciences will be pivotal in securing sustainable adaptation to climate change. European research environments have a long track record of scientific activities in the Arctic, which is why European research involvement in the Arctic s future will greatly benefit not only Arctic countries, but also nations in the temperate climate zone. The European Union (EU) already has a strong presence in the Arctic through its Arctic Member States but also owing to its close cultural and economic ties to Greenland. Sustainable exploitation of the new opportunities will connect the Arctic and Europe even more closely due to a shared concern for economic growth, nature and society, and will be able to contribute to solving climate change challenges on a much broader scale. With strong research environments and all-round competencies derived mainly from more than 100 years of research in the Arctic and Greenland, the University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark and Copenhagen Business School have jointly identified four challenges that Arctic research can significantly impact. This paper addresses the research gaps and the potential the following four challenges represent: 1. The challenges of sustainable growth and development for the climate and society Data from the Arctic derived from climate services and earth observations will be of continuous importance for climate monitoring and solutions to climate change, but also for sustainable development of the Arctic. 2. The challenges of global collaboration for security and prosperity The Arctic will play a bigger and more integrated role in global policies due to enhanced commercial opportunities. 3. The global challenges of stable access to and sustainable exploitation of raw materials The Arctic holds some of the world s richest deposits of metals and minerals, hence securing a fair and sustainable exploitation of these resources is of utmost importance. 4. The global challenges of food security The Arctic can sustainably provide healthy, nutritious foods and in Arctic waters there are as yet unexploited resources. The four challenges are highly interdependent and will not be successfully solved without a transdisciplinary approach and open data sharing. Programming Document for Sustainable Development of Greenland , 28 October Joint Declaration on relations between the European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other,

6 6 Arctic challenges 1. THE CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CLIMATE AND SOCIETY CHALLENGE Opportunities for growth in the Arctic are on the rise, chiefly due to a decrease in the amount of snow and ice there. In non-arctic regions, however, heavy rainfalls, floods and storms due to climate change are having an impact on living conditions. Increased commercial activity in the Arctic will potentially further disrupt the climate, which is why an approach that encompasses an overall understanding of possible consequences for the Arctic and globally is necessary. Climate services and earth observations are some of the most important sources of information on climate change and the socio-economic and environmental impacts it causes. However, obstacles rooted in the lack of an organised and structured approach prevent the successful us and dissemination of data. Climate data often exist in forms and formats preventing their efficient use for the common good. Likewise, climate data ownership hampers cross dissemination because of widely dispersed ownership in e.g. various EU countries, the USA, Canada and Russia. There is a need for an international infrastructure organised by a European information centre that could be housed by, for example Copernicus, GEOSS or ESA and carried out in close cooperation with NASA and NOAA. A European strategy on this subject may be one of the pillars to achieve a more organised and open data-sharing for a better handling of the consequences of climate change. The challenge therefore lies in supporting and securing cross-disciplinary, cross-sectorial and cross-systemic approaches to data. OPPORTUNITIES Earth observations: One of the most prominent options for collecting space data and ground data is the provision of research-based guidance on the challenges and opportunities climate change represents in the Arctic and how it affects Europe. In order to achieve impact, it is important that already existing data derived from recent programmes and on-going climate services, satellite monitoring and other systematic data provision are at the disposal of and readily usable for stakeholders such as NGOs, public authorities, private companies and researchers. Climate data will be a critical issue in a wide range of transdisciplinary research, commercial activities and solutions on climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation, including: Impact of melting permafrost on carbon and nitrogen balances in the Arctic Impact of melting permafrost on the stability of existing infrastructure, e.g. buildings and roads Impact of climate change on preservation of archaeological sites Climate change and its impact on fluvial discharges and coastal evolution Modelling of climate change mitigation, renewable energy and smart cities Communication infrastructure in the Arctic: Telecommunication infrastructure can also enhance opportunities in the Arctic and be structured without hampering the climate. The Arctic region is in need of communication infrastructure that supports societal and business activities, but also maritime search and rescue tasks and environmental surveillance. WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED? In addition to having a continuous impact on climate monitoring, data will also directly affect how potential opportunities in the Arctic can be exploited safely and securely for society and the environment. Thus climate data should be used as a decision-making tool

7 Arctic challenges 7 to evaluate the impact of climate change to obtain the best adaptation for implementation by local authorities. Examples of what can be achieved are Arctic commercial shipping, cruise tourism and off-shore oil and gas activities. Safer shipping in the Arctic will depend on the development of methods for monitoring Arctic sea ice for use in both navigation and climate models, enabling far better prediction of risks in terms of ice and weather. Building up a communication infrastructure in the Arctic will also be a key issue for safety and for monitoring pollution. International safety regulations and standardisation in shipping should also support this. Climate services and earth observations are expected to contribute a much broader global impact in terms of climate adaptation and mitigation, the Arctic functioning as not just a monitoring site for climate change but also as key to solutions. Thus climate services and earth observations performed and used effectively are vital to global collaboration for security and prosperity, food security and sustainable exploitation of raw materials, as described in the following.

8 8 Arctic challenges 2. THE ARCTIC AND THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL COLLABORATION FOR SECURITY AND PROSPERITY CHALLENGE The circumpolar Arctic stretches over two nuclear power countries, countries with extensive territories and EU member countries. Despite political and societal differences in the Arctic region, the Arctic experienced sound regional cooperation in recent years based on constructive dialogue and peaceful interaction rather than geopolitical tensions. The increasing potential for economic growth in the Arctic, however, presents the risk of changes potentially involving increased political tension, environmental hazards and indigenous peoples being excluded from the governance of their lands. Due to its now accessible natural and mineral resources the Arctic is becoming an increasingly important part of the interconnected world, which is why Arctic societies need to be prepared for these changes by building up resilient political, social and economic frameworks and by developing strong international partnerships to secure political, social, environmental and economic stability, commercial collaboration and mutual knowledge sharing. OPPORTUNITIES Transdisciplinary research involving the humanities and social sciences (including economics and governance), combined with the technical and natural sciences, will be needed to deal with this challenge. Systemic innovation and capacity building will be required in both Arctic societies and among their international partners. Some important research focus areas for meeting this challenge are: Cross-sectorial collaboration on natural resource exploitation and management Extractive industries, the economy and transformation of the identities of indigenous peoples Commercial opportunities and limitations in the Arctic The interconnected Arctic, mutual learning and the potential of reverse innovation Arctic geopolitics in a global world, the role of multilateral organisations and ways to ensure sustainable and local governance by creating new partnerships WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED? The expected impact of a research-based approach is the development of sustainable ways to unlock the potential of the Arctic without abandoning Arctic societies to deal with the aftermath and present disruptions alone. Another impact is ensuring that Arctic societies will benefit in the long-term from the economic opportunities based on their own objectives. A research-based approach will deepen understanding of effective models of organisation and of the geopolitical consequences of increased industrial activity in the Arctic, providing knowledge to mitigate the risk of political tensions, environmental hazards and economic disruption.

9 Arctic challenges 9 3. THE ARCTIC AND THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES OF STABLE ACCESS TO AND SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF RAW MATERIALS CHALLENGE Exploration and extraction of raw materials in the Arctic can potentially substantially contribute to sustainable societal developments in the Arctic region as well as to industries and societies beyond the Arctic. The wealth of Arctic raw materials is distributed between countries such as Finland, Greenland, Canada and the USA. Greenland s resources, for example, comprise a wide range of industrial metals, such as iron, nickel and copper, but also some of the world s richest deposits of rare earth elements and uranium. Arctic raw materials represent a possible reliable source of new materials for the European production sector. Extreme meteorological and geographical conditions, weak governmental capacity to administer and maintain regulations, limited access to skilled labour, highly vulnerable environments and a lack of infrastructure make exploitation activities in the Arctic region highly challenging. Sustainable extraction will require an innovative approach to technical solutions that are energy efficient and green, but also supported by regulations and standards in accordance with the best international standards. On the verge of developing its own mining industry, Greenland in particular faces a challenge because completely new infrastructure and knowledge sharing with other nations, that produce raw materials, are crucial to ensuring that its endeavours will be handled according to the right principles from the beginning. OPPORTUNITIES Transdisciplinary technical, social science and humanities research will address the following interrelated focus areas concerning important issues involving the exploitation of raw materials: Reassessment and redesign of existing technology and best practices to ensure sustainable exploration, extraction and processing of raw materials using clean-tech solutions while simultaneously taking specific characteristics of the fragile social and cultural context and vulnerable environment into consideration, as well as the challenges of operating in a harsh, cold climate. Guaranteeing the necessary energy supply for building infrastructure to accommodate mining and industrial activity, including roads, buildings, harbours and airports but also communications infrastructure; testing the potential for developing and exploiting green renewable energy (hydro power and wind turbines) for exploiting and processing raw materials in Greenland. Research-based guidance for regional capacity building in the form of environmental, safety and labour regulations and standards, as well as the public and private governance of raw materials extraction and processing, all of which are essential to preventing irreversible societal and environmental calamities. WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED? The expected impact of a collaborative effort is ensuring that Arctic raw materials are extracted and traded fairly and sustainably with regard to the natural environment and local society, but also in a way that respects and incorporates the indigenous population. Europe has the opportunity to set a global precedent in terms of new, green technologies that take into account and optimise the entire value chain, not only for primary but also secondary source raw materials, and in terms of supporting governance modalities in theory and practice. New technologies tested in the harsh Arctic climate will eventually also benefit European industry and strengthen the position of green-tech producers in Europe.

10 10 Arctic challenges 4. THE ARCTIC AND THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES OF FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGE Like the rest of the world, Europe is faced with the challenge of developing sustainable, financially feasible new food sources of high nutritional value. New food sources must also contribute to healthier diets to lessen the burden on European and global health systems. The Arctic offers untapped, potentially vast resources for healthy and nutritious food. But, with warmer waters due to climate change there is the risk of invasive species and changes in Arctic marine food webs and the question of sustainable production also poses a problem in terms of, at times, inadequate local capacity and economic resources and the need to protect a fragile natural environment. Researchbased guidance is necessary to support regional development since the status quo does not sufficiently address the entire challenge, which must be met with a more transdisciplinary approach. OPPORTUNITIES Potentially of great importance for global food security, Arctic resources fall into roughly three categories, all of which have arisen due to climate change: Aquatic living resources, abundant in the Arctic, constitute one of the most important industries in e.g. Greenland. Research is needed to monitor and foresee developments in the Arctic in close proximity to what is happening globally. Technical sciences and socio-economic research will be necessary to support changes in fishery methods and production, but also highly important for establishing and ensuring that research on aquatic resources is aligned with the development of other activities in the Arctic, such as the exploration and exploitation of raw materials and commercial shipping. There will be ample reasons for searching for new ways to exploit the Arctic s sea resources, for example using seaweed in food production and as food, or harvesting deep sea organisms as enzymes for use in the medical industry. Decrease in ice and warmer weather offers new opportunities for farming in the Arctic on a regional scale, which will also involve the same challenges Europe faces in terms of rural innovation, market opportunities, capacity building and the need for regulations. Our knowledge on these new potential opportunities has gaps that transdisciplinary research can help fill by investigating how to pursue the extraction of resources constructively in partnership with Arctic communities while simultaneously actively address community rights, local food security, societal development and capacity building. The wise use of Arctic natural resources should be seen as more than just an opportunity for Arctic and European development, but also as a potential platform for international cooperation. Knowledge sharing and reflective research relevant for policy making are vital for the success of these endeavours. WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED? Changing conditions in the Arctic create a number of challenges but also an economic window of opportunity that, if not responded to in the right way, will result in further deterioration of the environment and accelerate global climate change and related social sustainability losses. It is necessary to secure an immediate responsible, environmentally sustainable and societally acceptable way to exploit natural resources so that Arctic ambitions and rights concerning development and a healthy environment are not contradictory to, but an integral part of any activity.

11 The suggested focus will help secure sustainable access to natural resources and support the EU strategy of healthier living for the people of Europe. Cross-cutting innovation and pooled competencies in North Atlantic fisheries combined with research in aqua culture, the environment and climate change will help achieve this. Cross-cutting partnerships will pave the road for a more reflexive discussion of how to imagine new innovative partnerships and societal transformations in an era of climate change. Innovative new products derived from sea resources represent an end result that can become part of the European food system. Arctic challenges 11

12 CAPITAL REGION DENMARK EU OFFICE, CREODK creodk is the joint Brussels-based EU research office of the University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School and the Capital Region of Denmark. creodk represents the interests of its four partners in the European Research Area. THE CAPITAL REGION OF DENMARK The Capital Region of Denmark provides health care and regional development for 1.75 million people and employs around 4,000 active researchers. With eight hospitals and more than 60 % of all clinical research activity nationwide, the region is by far the largest clinical research and innovation environment in Denmark. TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK, DTU DTU, a leading university focused on engineering sciences and technology, has 19 departments carrying out research and is renowned for its business-oriented approach and vast experience in cooperating with industry. DTU has 5,700 employees, 3,200 of them faculty, and a student population of nearly 10,000, including almost 2,000 international MSc students. UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN, UCPH UCPH, Denmark s largest university, has extensive research programmes on the Arctic. Research at its more than 100 departments, research centres and museums covers disciplines as diverse as anthropology and quantum physics. UCPH has 40,000 students, 10% of whom are international, in addition to 5,600 faculty. COPENHAGEN BUSINESS SCHOOL, CBS CBS is, by national and international standards, an excellent university with a distinctive business profile. Established in 1917, CBS is one of the largest business schools in Europe and has more than 600 full-time researchers, 600 administrative staff and well over 19,000 students, 2,900 of whom are international students from all over the world. CBS research profile covers broad subject areas within the social sciences and humanities. ARCTIC EXPERTISE IN THE PARTNERSHIP The University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark and Copenhagen Business School combined comprise outstanding research environments with allround competencies chiefly derived from over 100 years of research in Greenland and the Arctic. Their scientific fields of expertise range from climate, space-related and environmental research to Arctic engineering and marine and maritime research, in addition to social science, humanities and economics research.