The Arctic is warming three to four times faster than the global rate, driving profound environmental, socioeconomic, and geopolitical changes. The EU addresses these challenges through its updated Arctic Policy, which aligns with the European Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy 2030. This policy framework prioritises environmental protection, support for indigenous communities, and sustainable development through scientific research and international cooperation. While DG MARE and EEAS lead the EU’s Arctic initiatives, the JRC has been actively engaged since 2016, collaborating with the Arctic Council and its subsidiary bodies to provide scientific support for policy implementation.
Climate change and environmental degradation
Pollutant monitoring and tracking
Mercury and Persistent Organic Pollutants from industrial activities travel from mid-latitudes to the Arctic, bioaccumulating in food chains and threatening wildlife and Indigenous communities. The JRC supports the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) by regularly updating the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) for mercury and Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs).
Arctic wildfire monitoring
As Arctic wildfires and resulting atmospheric emissions increase in frequency, the JRC’s Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) provides the only comprehensive real-time monitoring service for the AMAP region. This critical data supports EU Arctic policies and contributes to the Arctic Council’s Emergency Preparedness Prevention and Response (EPPR) working group.
Climate forcer research
Short-lived climate forcers, such as methane, black carbon and particulate matter, have an harmful effect on ecosystems and can contribute to climate change acceleration. The JRC is developing innovative AI-based methodologies to improve air pollution forecasting for Arctic communities, accessible through the user-friendly Air Air pollution forecast for Arctic communities (AURORAE) web tool. In addition, AI models are applied to estimate methane emissions from thawing Arctic permafrost using satellite data.
Marine environment protection
As the Arctic Ocean becomes more accessible, pollution like marine litter, plastic and lost fishing gear may increase. The JRC works towards method development and harmonisation for environmental monitoring at large scale to identify appropriate mitigation measures. This work directly supports the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) working group’s initiatives on marine litter reduction.
Terrestrial and marine biodiversity
Invasive species management
As a member of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna’s (CAFF) expert group on ‘Protection from Invasive Alien Species’, the JRC leverages the expertise and resources of the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) to provide data on marine alien species presence, impact, risk vectors and introduction pathways, contributing to develop a comprehensive approach to managing alien species in the Arctic.
Biodiversity monitoring
The Knowledge Centre on Biodiversity (KCBD) processes global biodiversity data to support the EU Biodiversity Strategy, documenting the dramatic, yet little known, impacts of climate change and shipping lines on the Arctic’s fragile ecosystems.
Fisheries assessment
Based on data on fishing opportunities in Northeast Atlantic from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the JRC publishes indicators about the biological and exploitation status of fish stocks in the Arctic ecoregion. These inform the Scientific Technical Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), which reports to the European Commission on Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) performance.
Observation systems
Leadership in EU Polar initiatives
The JRC has co-led the Commission’s Polar Task Force in partnership with DG DEFIS. This collaboration produced a comprehensive Polar Roadmap report for Copernicus Services, outlining strategic recommendations for the next decade. These recommendations aim to improve the EU’s capabilities in monitoring and tracking the impacts of primary drivers of change in polar regions, thus strengthening the Union’s overall role in these areas.
Building on this foundation, a new phase of the Polar Task Force will be launched in 2025. focusing on identifying and leveraging synergistic benefits across all components of the EU space programme to develop and improve products and services tailored to end-users in polar regions.
Arctic ecosystem monitoring through earth observation
Earth observation data are essential to monitor the Arctic ecosystems and understand their functioning. Particularly, long-term series made of multi-mission satellite data are instrumental to comprehend the impact of climate change on the region. However, constructing these datasets presents significant technical challenges, which are further amplified by the Arctic’s unique environmental conditions.
For Arctic marine ecosystems specifically, the JRC conducts rigorous assessments of satellite product fitness-for-purpose in climate science applications.
International Arctic observation networks
The JRC actively contributes to international Arctic monitoring efforts through its participation in the Sustaining Arctic Observation Networks (SAON) board. In this capacity, JRC experts collaborate with international partners to develop the Arctic Observing System of Systems, conducting comprehensive assessments of the societal benefits derived from coordinated Arctic observing networks.
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Energy supply and infrastructures
Offshore energy infrastructure
The Arctic’s extreme conditions can disrupt offshore oil and gas infrastructure, potentially causing accidents with major environmental and economic consequences. The JRC performs in-depth analyses of such accidents, delivering recommendations to industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities on accident prevention strategies and improves safety protocols for harsh Arctic environments.
Permafrost-related infrastructure risks
Permafrost thawing threatens the stability and integrity of critical infrastructures in the Arctic, potentially increasing their vulnerability. Through the innovative FROST-QUAKE exploratory research project (Climate change impact on critical infrastructure in the northern hemisphere: thawing permaFROST in earthQUAKE-prone areas), the JRC generates new knowledge on seismic risks associated with Natural hazard-triggered technological accidents (Natech) in hazardous facilities built on permafrost and proposes adaptation and mitigation measures. Using artificial intelligence and advanced numerical techniques, the project provides policymakers with robust scientific evidence to support risk-informed decisions in the Arctic.
Maritime energy infrastructure security
Maritime energy infrastructure security in the Arctic has become a growing matter, particularly in the face of evolving hybrid threats and climate-related challenges. The JRC co-organises the CORE 25-Arctic Tabletop Exercise with NATO’s Energy Security Centre of Excellence, which aims to strengthen the energy security, resilience and interoperability of NATO allies and EU Member States.
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Lessons learned from offshore oil and gas incidents in the Arctic and other ice-prone seas
Tabletop exercise: Coherent Resilience Baltic 2023 (CORE 23-B)
Indigenous peoples and knowledge
Participatory approaches to Arctic governance
The Commission’s Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy has pioneered innovative approaches to integrate diverse knowledge systems addressing concerning issues facing Arctic communities, involving members of the Inuit and Sami communities. The JRC is further strengthening these ethical engagement practices through the development of a dedicated Community of Practice to support practitioners and policymakers.
Indigenous inclusion in Arctic innovation strategies
JRC research highlights the importance of inclusive policymaking and better engagement with indigenous groups in developing innovation strategies. The JRC provides evidence on how Smart Specialisation supports a sustainable and innovative Arctic, benefiting local and indigenous communities. Future efforts will document best practices and strengthen participatory governance to address societal and environmental challenges in the area.
Art-science collaboration
The JRC’s innovative art-science project creates the space, time and conditions for artists to work with scientists and policymakers on issues of concern, such as climate change, socio-environmental sustainability, raw material extraction and indigenous knowledge in relation to scientific knowledge. Often this means involving the local population, indigenous people, and working across knowledge systems, which contributes to citizen engagement, futures research and innovation in science/policymaking.
Related links:
Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy
Smart Specialisation in Sparsely Populated European Arctic Regions
Implementing Smart Specialisation in Sparsely Populated Areas
