Why discuss the Arctic in Nairobi?

The Arctic region is dealing with multiple pressures from both inside and outside the region. Greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from global activities mainly originate outside the region, but affect the Arctic environment. These changes will, in turn, affect the health of the planet as a whole. This means that people outside the Arctic share a common stake with people living in the Arctic.

Global Linkages – A graphic look at the changing Arctic is a new report in the Vital Graphics series published by UN Environment and GRID-Arendal to support policy and policy development. The report draws on existing scientific assessments and presents them in a highly visual way, emphasizing the relationship between the Arctic and the rest of the world. It scans three interlinked topics: climate change, pollution and biodiversity. 

The Global Linkages report, which is also part of the Sixth Global Environment Outlook, was launched during the Fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) in Nairobi in March this year. 

At the event, Björn Alfthan (Programme Leader, GRID-Arendal) gave a guided tour of the report and a sneak peek of the maps and graphics. He explained that the “challenges in the Arctic can no longer be managed in isolation.” This was followed by reflections on the conclusions of the report by a high-level Nordic panel. 

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, Iceland, said:

The Arctic hits back. There are many climate change impacts in the Arctic that constitute a climate change feedback and that will impact climate change all over the world. Countries, and not only the Arctic Countries, will need to gather their forces together to fight climate change.

Haege Andenaes, Director General and Head of Department for Sea and Pollution Control, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway, addressed the the importance of regulations and cooperation and said:

The Arctic is regarded as a pristine region and that is not anymore the case, even if it is still remains one of the least polluted parts of the world and that is thanks to regulation. However, the emergence of new pollutants in the Arctic makes it even more clear there is a need for strengthened international regulations and cooperation.

Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing and Vice-President of the UN Environment Assembly Bureau, Finland, emphasized the important links between tackling climate change and conserving biodiversity.

We need to make substantial near-term cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, black carbon and other so-called short-lived climate pollutants all over the world”, he noted, adding “the use of local observations and traditional knowledge should be put together with scientific information to increase understanding of the trends.

Jan Dusik, UN Environment´s principal adviser on strategic engagement for the Arctic and Antarctic, who moderated the launch event, said: 

The science put forward in this report is already being practically used in policy making and in adopting relevant resolutions here at the Assembly,

The launch of the report was picked up worldwide by news outlets, including The Guardian (UK), La Vanguardia (Spain), CBC News (Canada), Modern Diplomacy (Europe), Barents Observer (Norway) and many others. It was also massively shared via social media.  

The report is available for download electronically at the web sites of UN Environment and GRID-Arendal.