A report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Arctic has produced a publication on “Responding to a changing Arctic”.
The publication outlines changes occurring in the arctic and recommends what the UK Government should be doing to help slow down these changes. Temperatures in the region are increasing at twice the global average, causing a range of physical and environmental changes.
The Arctic Council is a high level intergovernmental forum to provide a means for promoting co-operation, co-ordination and interaction amongst its member states and participants, in particular issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
The approach taken by the UK Government has been described in the publication as “too hesitant and cautious” with regard to engagement with the Arctic Council.
Amongst other recommendations, the Select Committee on the Arctic have said: “We recommend that the Government looks to establish a substantial and better co-ordinated long-term programme of Arctic research, and ensures fully effective UK representation on Arctic Council bodies; relevant partners from UK industry should be fully involved in this programme.”
It is thought the UK should appoint an Ambassador for the Arctic, and follow the example of nations including France, Singapore and Japan.
The report also comments that although UK scientists and researchers make an important contribution to global understanding of the changing Arctic: "work could be more effectively utilised".
