Protecting arctic biodiversity: strengths and limitations of environmental agreements
This report address the growing concerns about Artic’s vulnerability. It examines the limitations and strengths of existing environmental agreements for conserving and protecting Arctic biodiversity, and options for improvement. It calls Arctic governance to focus primarily on increasing adaptation and resilience of wildlife, fisheries and societies in the Arctic, including through the promotion of indigenous knowledge, and suggests a holistic approach in biodiversity conservation which could also ensure governance systems and management practices that are resilient and quickly adaptable. It makes an important contribution to the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), at a time when the world is reflecting on achievements to reverse biodiversity loss.
The report makes four significant recommendations: (1) to strengthen investments in co-management and support to programmes of adaptation, (2) to increase the extent of protected areas in the Arctic, especially in the coastal zones and the marine environment, (3) to increase the monitoring of Arctic biodiversity and to further promote cooperation with non-Arctic states that share responsibility for Arctic migratory wildlife, and (4), that the Arctic Council work towards an even more progressive role in ensuring the protection and sustainable use of the living natural resources in the Arctic, similar to its efforts in combating long-range transboundary pollutants.