Projects

SAON's vision is a connected, collaborative, and comprehensive long-term pan-Arctic Observing System that serves societal needs.

Since seabirds travel great distances over both marine and terrestrial environments, they are excellent indicators of overall ecosystem health.

Working with partners across the Arctic to harmonize and enhance long-term marine monitoring efforts

Assessing the positive and negative societal outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Arctic communities

Facilitating consistent interpretation of the Code.

The continuation of Arctic marine oil and gas activities requires a better understanding of the sources of noise and the effects and potential effects of noise on marine mammals and fish.

Sharing the latest scientific information related to oil spill remediation.

Collecting and distributing accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information on shipping activities in the Arctic.

Development of a monitoring plan for microplastics and litter in Arctic waters.

Working with partners across the Arctic to harmonize and enhance long-term freshwater monitoring efforts.

Showing that significant economic and environmental gains can be achieved if Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) are applied.

Pulling together relevant people in the Arctic foods value chain for a cluster-based approach to food production and regional economic development.

Identifying practices for offshore discharge of mining residuals

Assessing progress of the implementation of the Arctic Council’s Framework for Action on Black Carbon and Methane, and informing policy makers from Arctic States and from participating Arctic Council Observer states.

Reducing marine litter in the Arctic marine environment, preventing the potential negative impacts and mitigating the risks it may pose, and improving cooperation on and awareness of this shared objective.

The sustainable and intelligent use of renewable aquatic natural resources, with a focus on improving utilization and creating higher-value products.

Identifying challenges and solutions for incorporating biodiversity considerations Arctic development and the Council's work

Working with partners across the Arctic to harmonize and enhance long-term terrestrial monitoring efforts.

Developing work on thresholds and extremes, Arctic/mid-latitude weather connections and performance of global models in the Arctic, with contributions from the meteorology community; and evaluating the impacts of climate change on Arctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems, ecosystem feedbacks to climate, and the societal impacts of climate change.

Ongoing climate change may facilitate increased access to the Arctic region, and potential new economic opportunities, but may also bring potential threats to the Arctic marine and coastal environments.

Could expedition cruise vessels be an oil spill response asset in the Arctic?

Enhancing efforts to remove litter from Arctic beaches and waterways

Promoting and expanding the dialogue on Gender Equality in the Arctic region.

Developing a sustainable and resilient reindeer husbandry in the Arctic in face of climate change and globalisation, working towards a vision of creating a better life for circumpolar reindeer herders.

Enhancing engagement in relation to the roles and functions of Arctic wetlands as a resource to support sustainable development and resilience in Arctic biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the livelihood of Indigenous and local peoples.

Circumpolar collaboration for suicide prevention and mental wellness

Circumpolar Coordination on Wildfire Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Enhancing PAME’s work on a Pan-Arctic Network of Marine Protected Areas

International Cooperation to Develop Arctic Emergency Preparedness

Concept paper on further cooperation under the Arctic Council on Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM/EA) of Arctic marine ecosystems

Maintaining and updating the operational guidelines of MOSPA.

An overview of the current range and understanding of international and national criteria used for identification of OECMs in the Arctic.

Providing the children of nomadic Indigenous Peoples with knowledge and skills

Investigating the potential of different oil spill response systems for the Arctic marine environment.

Knowledge on New Low-Sulphur Fuels in the Arctic

Improving industrial and environmental safety related to economic and infrastructure projects, primarily the development of hydrocarbons on the Arctic continental shelf and transportation of related oil and gas products.

Revising the Ecosystem Approach Framework (EA) and developing a tool for following EA implementation in the Arctic LMEs

ARCSAFE serves as an arena to promote cooperation and network-activities among the Arctic Council members to strengthen the cross-border prevention, preparedness and handling of maritime emergencies which may involve a potential release of radioactive substances in the Arctic.

Providing in-person and online resources to address the unique needs of Arctic communities, from planning to implementation of solid waste management practices.

An international collaborative project focusing on gender equality in the Arctic

Assessing and mitigating the risks of black carbon to public health.

PAME and the Arctic Regional Hydrography Commission (ARHC) have developed a joint policy statement on the importance of hydrography in the Arctic region to safe and sustainable maritime navigation.

Protecting the Arctic from the adverse impacts of invasive alien species

Revisiting the Framework for a Pan-Arctic Network of Marine Protected Areas (2015) for potential updates

Improving the status and secure the long-term sustainability of declining Arctic breeding migratory bird populations.

Inviting youth to engage in a dialogue about suicide prevention by telling their own stories, supporting them to make these stories into digital stories, or short films.

Understanding the status of current or planned offshore oil and gas activities as well as changes to relevant legislation, regulations, and policies

A cost-effective and rapid technique to screen levels and scope of contamination at old pesticide storage sites

Using the ASTD System to develop a user-friendly, illustrative informational factsheets online to highlight important developments in Arctic shipping activities.

Identifying options for leveraging Observer interest, expertise and engagement in PAME’s shipping work.

Advancing youth involvement, capacity-building and leadership in the Arctic

Applying Indigenous and Local Knowledge and Scientific Information to Arctic Conservation Planning

An international network of scientists, governments, Indigenous organizations and conservation groups working to harmonize and integrate efforts to monitor the Arctic's living resources.

Collecting and summarizing information on Arctic State safe and low-impact marine corridor initiatives

Strengthening harmonization and fostering dialogue and cooperation between the Arctic Council member states, Permanent Participants and Arctic Council Observers on research on various fuel and exhaust gas treatment methods as possible means by which to reduce the amount of harmful gases emitted by vessel engines.

A theoretical concept and practical approach for developing and sustaining broad interdisciplinary collaboration – to identify, prevent, and mitigate health risks in humans, animals and the environment.

To advance youth engagement and leadership in the Arctic, CAFF is working to provide a platform for youth from around the world to help raise awareness about the Arctic and to engage in international discussions about Arctic issues, strategies, and policies.

Tracking progress on implementation of the AMSP 40 Strategic Actions and reporting on status

Observers document environmental change in the Arctic

Synthesizing information on Covid-19 impacts, lessons learned, best practices and future management in the Arctic

Facilitating an exchange of information and best practices on shipping topics like hydrography, search and rescue logistics, industry guidelines and ship equipment, systems and structure.

Providing Arctic-specific recommendations for large-scale projects in the vulnerable and changing Arctic environment, while taking Indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants into account.

An update to the 2017 Arctic Protected Areas Indicator Report (APAI).

Identifying and cleaning up illegal unauthorized waste disposal in the Sámi territory of the Murmansk region

A Survey of Current Practices

Assessing freshwater river systems based on traditional knowledge

Creating a database of Arctic Architectural Heritage sites

This project builds on earlier gender work undertaken by the SDWG to establish a circumpolar cooperation network of experts that could, in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, continue to address the current realities and future challenges in this field for the benefit of the Arctic communities and residents.

Advancing a coordinated, regional approach to building resilience and adapting to rapid change.

Developing cost effective and appropriate recommendations for the removal of PFAS-based fire fighting foams for all applications within the Arctic region, without jeopardizing risk reduction.

An online tool designed to enhance knowledge of the best practices and local adaptation actions on Arctic renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Climate change is altering Arctic ecosystems and biodiversity. These changes feed back to the climate system, with a potential to dampen or accelerate local to regional changes in climate and greenhouse gas emissions.

Developing a current inventory of Arctic port reception facilities to assess where there may be infrastructure gaps in light of increasing Arctic shipping traffic.

Further developing AMAP's initiative on human health, particularly biomonitoring and cohort studies and health effects of contaminants.

Exploring Aspects of Arctic Resilience connected to the impacts of permafrost thaw

Our world is changing rapidly, and local observers can detect subtle changes in weather, landscapes and seascapes, and in plant and animal communities.

The project created a comprehensive long-­term energy planning process for socially-­desirable and economically-­feasible energy solutions for communities in the Arctic by developing an Arctic Sustainable Energy Futures Framework (ASEFF) and an ASEFF Toolkit.

Assessing landfill impacts and developing remediation technology

Sharing of competence within search and rescue in a maritime radiological/nuclear scenario

Supporting public health systems and public services in implementing a quick response to current and future biological threats related to the uncontrolled spread of highly virulent pathogens, parasites, biotoxins, and other biohazards across the Arctic.

Due to the Arctic’s unique circumstances (remoteness, severe weather, limited infrastructure and resources) regional arrangements are a practical means of meeting MARPOL obligations.

Assessing the validity of the Polar Code's five‐day survivability requirement

Implementing the recommendations of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment.

Working with small communities to improve their safety in case of an oil spill event.

A database of Arctic shipping accidents from 2005-2017.

Defining the risk potential for emergencies due to nuclear/radiological material and activities that pose a threat in the Arctic.

Design, construction and development of the year-round Snowflake International Arctic Station (IAS)

Enhancing Understanding of Abandoned Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG)

Prevent and decrease Arctic pollution based on Best Available Techniques (BAT).

Analysis of Potential Radiological Consequences of Selected Emergencies Relevant for the Arctic Region

Setting priority actions that the Arctic Council and its partners are encouraged to take to protect the Arctic region from a significant threat: the adverse impacts of invasive alien species.

The ABDS is an online tool to house, collect, display and search for Arctic biodiversity related data, maps and graphics for decision making.

Coordination and practical implementation of the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement, negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council in 2011.

Investigating the current state of the Central Arctic Ocean

Preserving and developing Indigenous languages, traditional knowledge and cultures of the Arctic Indigenous peoples including food heritage as a foundation for diversification of local economies and new approaches to adapt to Arctic change.

For the safety of fishing vessels and the experience gained in the implementation process by Arctic States and other nations, recognizing the importance of fishing vessel safety in the Arctic due to the increased traffic of fishing vessels in the region.

Reducing the negative impacts of marine litter, including microplastics, to the Arctic marine environment.

Mobilizing Indigenous Knowledge and preparing for emergencies in the Arctic

Mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP)

Analyzing and promoting sustainable tourism across the circumpolar Arctic.

Developing tools to apply SDGs in the Arctic

One-stop shop for Arctic incident reports to share experiences, contirbute to best practices and to mitigate future risks

Improving understanding of the capacity and capabilities of national aerial surveillance programs across Arctic States for emergencies

Testing alternative clean and reliable energy solutions in a remote Sami community

Sharing knowledge and establishing professional networks related to energy resources for remote Arctic communities.

While the pollution levels posed by radioactivity in the Arctic are low and appear to be decreasing, the need to keep monitoring radioactivity in the Arctic remains unchanged.

Providing a baseline understanding of underwater noise in Arctic regions, including ambient sound levels, underwater noise created by anthropogenic activities, and impacts of underwater noise on marine life

Case studies on demographic change and migration in the Arctic

Synthesizing relevant information on the status, trends and projected changes in the Central Arctic Ocean, human activities and pressures in the area, and the current management measures in place in order to inform future policy and decision making.

Drawing together and harmonizing socio-economic statistical data across national and regional borders.

Showing how existing technologies successfully, sustainably, and affordably reduce black carbon emissions.

A common approach to marine risk assessment in the Arctic region.

New data and information on emissions trends

Assessing the effects of contaminants in the Arctic

Improving our understanding of Arctic fires and reducing the threat

Compiling and analyzing existing documents and summarizing their main aspects, principles, and processes for engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Concepts for carbon neutral Arctic construction based on tradition