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VanderZwaag, David L. --- "The Arctic Council and the future of Arctic Ocean governance: edging forward in a sea of governance challenges" [2014] ELECD 324; in Stephens, Tim; VanderZwaag, L. David (eds), "Polar Oceans Governance in an Era of Environmental Change" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014) 308

Book Title: Polar Oceans Governance in an Era of Environmental Change

Editor(s): Stephens, Tim; VanderZwaag, L. David

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781781955444

Section: Chapter 16

Section Title: The Arctic Council and the future of Arctic Ocean governance: edging forward in a sea of governance challenges

Author(s): VanderZwaag, David L.

Number of pages: 31

Abstract/Description:

Evolving from the 1991 Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS), largely focused on addressing pollutants and environmental protection in the Arctic, the Arctic Council was established as a regional cooperation forum pursuant to a Declaration adopted in Ottawa, September 1996. The Declaration set out an institutional structure largely intact today. The Council consists of eight member states, is innovative by including indigenous organizations as permanent participants, and includes observers. The Council is charged with promoting cooperation on common Arctic issues, including issues of sustainable development, but security matters are excluded from the scope of the Council's mandate. The original four working groups under the AEPS were continued under the auspices of the Arctic Council, with two additional working groups subsequently added, namely the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG)and the Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP). The Council has depended on voluntary financial and human resource contributions from member states for carrying out projects. With increasing thinning and loss of sea ice linked to climate changeand projected growth of commercial developments on numerous fronts including oil and gas, shipping, tourism and mining, the adequacy of the Arctic Council has come under increasing scrutiny. Whether a 'soft law' regional forum largely dedicated to monitoring the Arctic environment and undertaking projects and assessments is up to the task of meeting the mounting challenges posed by climate change and globalization has been questioned by various scholars and NGOs.