Looking North: Northern England and the National Imagination (Studies in Popular Culture)

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The impacts on Arctic ecosystems and biodiversity will be devastating unless action is taken to tackle global climate change. We share Sweden’s concerns that the Arctic’s Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change. We will look to strengthen our cooperation with our partners across Europe and the Indo-Pacific in the pursuit of our shared objectives in the Arctic.

Less sea ice will offer opportunities for shorter transit routes to Asia and beyond and increasing access to substantial reserves of natural resources. Recognising the importance of international collaboration to achieving our mission, the UK will champion a focus on space within the JEF construct and with close Allies in the region. UNCLOS provides the legal framework for the exercise of the rights and responsibilities of coastal states, including in the Arctic, and for regulating the various uses of Arctic waters. The 2021 Integrated Review set out the UK’s renewed commitment as an outward-facing, ambitious country and trusted ally, an openness as a society and economy, and an increased determination to seek multilateral solutions. As we move towards refreshing our Clean Maritime Plan, the UK Government will continue to promote the UK as a centre of maritime commercial expertise.The UK is committed to continuing to play its role in the sustainable management of fisheries in the Arctic. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals like mercury pose a risk to wildlife and the Indigenous communities who depend heavily on local wildlife as a traditional food source. The UK continues to play an active role in developing the Polar Code at the IMO, including developing Phase 2 covering the application to non-SOLAS ships, including fishing vessels, private yachts and small cargo ships (under 500GT). The UK Government is continuing to work to conclude negotiations on a new implementing Agreement under UNCLOS for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction ( BBNJ Agreement).

The UK continues to work with the US National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide strong frameworks for scientific collaboration in the Arctic, particularly on tackling environmental issues. This Agreement is important for the UK as, due to the integrated nature of ecosystems, changes in the Arctic Ocean will have an impact on the distribution of North Atlantic biological resources. As the 2021 Integrated Review makes clear, the UK will contribute to maintaining the Arctic as a region of high co-operation and low tension.

Climate is affecting all strands of our activities in the Arctic, which underlines the importance of our strong science capabilities and international partnerships. The region is home to a vibrant mix of communities and cultures, languages and traditions; a region that stretches from the remote frozen tundra and boreal forest, to vibrant cities with jobs, universities and football teams. Unique ecosystems are at risk and some are vanishing, and the change in climate is threatening the subsistence, harvest-based livelihoods of small Arctic communities – especially Indigenous communities. It sets a vision for the UK in 2030, including the UK emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic with renewed determination and optimism, ensuring that we are stronger, safer, and more prosperous than before.

We are taking a positive and proactive approach to achieve our ambition for a stronger, cleaner, safer and more prosperous Arctic, while also standing up for our shared values across the world. The UK is also leading the establishment of an independent, intergovernmental science-policy panel for chemicals, waste and pollution, after the adoption of a United Nations Environment Assembly resolution which seeks the formation of an open-ended working group to create the panel by the end of 2024. Finland remains an active member of the JEF, hosting the June 2021 JEF Defence Ministers meeting and Table-Top exercise. The UK is working with other Contracting Parties to OSPAR to prevent and significantly reduce marine litter in the North-East Atlantic, including through the new OSPAR Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter published in June 2022. A key objective for the UK is to honour the rights of communities to engage in traditional practices.We will contest malign and destabilising behaviours and activity which threaten our interests and the stability of the region.