The final comprehensive Arctic report of the former Special Representative Ms. Torill Eidsheim

2019-2021
Final Report of the
Special Representative on Arctic Issues
Torill Eidsheim
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 2
Offentligt
Foreword
The climate has always been changing, but what we need to ask ourselves is: has it
ever changed this fast before? The answer scientists are giving us is a clear NO!
With my appointment as Special Representative on Arctic Issues back in 2019, the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly aimed at raising awareness on challenges facing the
Arctic, and there is no greater challenge than the effects of climate change. As the
world’s most severely affected region, it is essential that we all promote solidarity
with the Arctic and pursue joint action for a global problem that requires global
solutions.
We are slowly understanding that we should address climate change as a climate
crisis. In the meantime, Arctic communities are defining it as a climate disaster. It is
not just a natural phenomenon: it affects people directly.
Acknowledging that what we are experiencing in the Arctic and beyond is a result
of human activity is the only option that leaves us with the possibility to actually
do something about it. As parliamentarians, not only do we have this power, but
we also carry a responsibility to make use of it.
My mandate as OSCE PA Special Representative on Arctic issues ended in July 2021,
as I now approach the end of my term in Parliament. In this report, you can find a
short overview of climate change in the Arctic and its relevance for the rest of the
world. You will also read about our activities and efforts, as well as some inputs,
suggestions and recommendations for future work.
Torill Eidsheim
OSCE PA Special Representative on Arctic Issues (2019-2021)
Member of the Norwegian Parliament
Cover Photo credit: Karl Petersen/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Cover Photo credit: Karl Petersen/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Overview on Climate Change in the Arctic
Overview on the Relevace of the Arctic Climate for the rest of the Planet
Annotated Report of implemented Activities
Reccomendations to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and
Parliamentarians
Conclusions
3
5
7
11
14
Table of Contents
Summary of key points
• There is a need for increased awareness on the main characteristics of the Arctic region,
which is home for more than four million people and is undergoing severe environmental
changes, with clearly interlinked consequences and dangers for society.
• The Arctic, which is warming almost three times faster than the global average, should serve
as an eye opener on the whole world’s climate. It is crucial to monitor developments in the
High North to understand and predict developments and dynamics at lower latitudes.
• Climate change should be considered and addressed as a climate crisis, directly affecting
and posing considerable threats to human security alongside the natural environment. The
economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
should continue to enhance their efforts in addressing it.
• The Arctic is and must remain an area of peace and security, especially against the backdrop
of new challenges. Natural, economic and geostrategic dynamics always carry along the risk
of political tensions. Good co-operation in the Arctic Council must be supported and pre-
served.
• Parliamentarians should make better use of their key assets, notably legislative, oversight
and public awareness capacities, to support and provide long-term strategic political leader-
ship to efforts aimed at building resilient, sustainable and climate-friendly societies.
Overview on Climate Change in the Arctic
We are heading towards a new and largely unknown
We are heading towards a new and largely unknown
Arctic that will have large ramifications for natural and
Arctic that will have large ramifications for natural and
political systems.
political systems.
-
- Prof. T. Furevik, during OSCE PA Parliamentary Dialogue on the Arctic
Prof. T. Furevik, during OSCE PA Parliamentary Dialogue on the Arctic
For the past 50 years, the Arctic has been warm-
ing at a rate nearly three times the global av-
erage. This has dramatic effects on the natural
environment, on biodiversity, on infrastructures,
and on society as a whole, including the subsist-
ence-based livelihoods of many Arctic commu-
nities. In fact, the region – often mistaken for a
mass of ice - is home to over four million people,
who are experiencing climate change effects dis-
proportionately to the rest of the world and are
living through a real climate emergency.
Global warming is undeniably transforming the
region, and this is compounded by the challeng-
es of unsustainable development and pollution.
Even a simple overview of effects manages to
underscore the gravity of what is happening:
Reindeer-herders have noticed that more and
more trees are rapidly growing in their pastures:
a changing Arctic flora necessarily leads to chal-
lenges for the fauna and, in turn, to new agricul-
tural, hunting and herding patterns, overturning
the Arctic ecosystem and established livelihood
traditions, and posing considerable risks to the
subsistence of many indigenous communities.
The thawing permafrost is increasingly disrupt-
ing and destroying critical infrastructure such as
roads, buildings and pipelines. Moreover, bigger
waves and increased rain and snow precipita-
tions are leading to stronger coastal erosion and
more avalanches and flooding, posing further
dangers to human settlements. This has forced
human migrations in recent years. For instance,
parts of Longyearbyen in Svalbard and whole
other villages have been resettled inland in Alas-
ka.
The polar ice cap and Arctic sea ice are rapidly
shrinking. Since 1980, it is estimated that the sea
ice has been diminishing by around 230 billion
tons a year. Some of the last multiyear ice north
of Greenland is also breaking up, and the ice
sheet lost a record 532 million tons only in 2019.
The most recent report1
by the Intergovernmen-
tal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented in
August 2021 concluded that:“In 2011–2020, an-
nual average Arctic sea ice area reached its low-
est level since at least 1850“, and that“Late sum-
mer Arctic sea ice area was smaller than at any
time in at least the past 1000 years.” The report
3
further notes that:“Global mean sea level has
risen faster since 1900 than over any preceding
century in at least the last 3000 years”. A warmer
ocean and the melting of glaciers are among the
main contributors to global sea level rise.
Moreover, the rapid melting of ice also weakens
the ice surface reflectivity – this is the so-called
albedo effect-, absorbing more heat and expo-
nentially amplifying the warming.
Short-lived climate pollutants, such as sot, are
influencing the melting of ice when it darkens its
white surface. There are a number of new initia-
tives, i.a. in the Arctic Council, to reduce the emis-
sions of black carbon in the Arctic region, which
will have an immediate effect on the melting of
the ice. Moreover, as the permafrost melts, frozen
animals and plants will decay, releasing methane
and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
A warmer, open and more acid Arctic Ocean has
severe consequences also on fishing and the
economy. The migration patterns of fish stocks
are rapidly changing, leading to consistent
threats to Arctic economy which is heavily de-
pendent on fisheries. Moreover, the melting ice is
opening up new shipping routes. While this can
be positive for economic growth, an increased
maritime activity requires increased rescue ca-
pacity and stronger preparedness and response.
New business opportunities can pose a threat to
Arctic indigenous communities and lead to more
competition for the use of land for instance con-
nected to mining operations and infrastructure
development.
Global warming is also leading to increased ex-
treme weather events, including wildfires and se-
vere storms and flooding. In the Arctic, scientists2
predict even more severe weather conditions: in
over forty years the region experienced extreme-
ly cold winter despite amplified warming.
Satellite technologies are of particular impor-
tance for the Arctic region, which is characterized
by limited infrastructure and large distances.
They play a crucial role in monitoring climate
change dynamics impacting the Arctic such as
the loss of sea ice and thawing permafrost. It is
key to enhance co-operation on sustainable use
and governance of resources, and further devel-
op the role and capacities of space programmes.
I take the opportunity to draw attention on the
latest report on Arctic Climate Change, published
by the Arctic Council at the 2021 Arctic ministeri-
al meeting. Click here.
Photo credit: Harald Finkler
Photo credit: Harald Finkler
4
A barometer for the global warming
The Arctic has an important role in regulating
temperatures all over the planet. Climate change
effects are not an exclusive feature of the region,
but simply happen more intensely and more
quickly there, due to the so-called Polar or Arctic
amplification. The changes in the Arctic should
serve as an eye opener of what the whole planet
is facing: a climate crisis with profound impacts
on the environment, on the life of citizens and
on society as a whole.
Certain effects of the climate crisis in the Arctic
have a direct physical impact on lower latitudes.
The melting Arctic ice causes changes in weath-
er patterns globally. Scientists are also finding
evidence on the linkages between the melting
ice, mutating ocean flows and extreme weath-
er events. The melting of land ice also causes
a general rise of the sea level that threatens to
submerge low-laying islands and entire nations
(1cm rise of sea level can result in 1 million peo-
ple to be displaced). The above-mentioned IPCC
report further notes that“global mean sea level
has risen faster since 1900 than over any preced-
ing century in at least the last 3000 years”.
Arctic sea routes
As noted, the retreat of Arctic sea ice is also
opening up the Northern shipping route (the
Central Arctic Ocean, North West Passage and
North East Passage). Most of the increase in
shipping traffic so far is internal traffic between
destinations along the Russian coastline, but
there is also a growing traffic to ports in Europe
and Asia. Using the North East Passage will cut
the sailing time by approximately 40 per cent
between Asian ports and ports in Northwest
Europe, compared to going through the Suez
Canal. This provides huge opportunities for new
and expanded economic activities, but also
increases trade competition and geostrategic
tensions. It is not by chance that – for instance
- China, a non-Arctic country, has put the Arctic
in the top priority areas for 2020-2030. Also the
increase in resources exploitation can potentially
lead to tensions.
Overview on the Relevance of the Arctic
Climate for the rest of the Planet
The climate crisis did not disappear with the arrival of
The climate crisis did not disappear with the arrival of
COVID-19 and it remains humanity’s greatest long-term
COVID-19 and it remains humanity’s greatest long-term
threat to the survival of our planet. Addressing it now is
threat to the survival of our planet. Addressing it now is
not a choice, it’s a reality we face.
not a choice, it’s a reality we face.
-
- Mr. D. Violetti, UNFCCC, during OSCE PA Parliamentary Dialogue on the Arctic
Mr. D. Violetti, UNFCCC, during OSCE PA Parliamentary Dialogue on the Arctic
5
Maintaining “the Arctic model” – co-oper-
ation, predictability, and low tension
While the above serves as an early warning, it
should be noted that the Arctic continues to be
characterised by co-operation, predictability and
low tensions, something that can be defined as
the Arctic model. Clear evidence of this was the
Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Reykjavik on
20 May 2021 which was a constructive meeting
preparing the ground for continued co-operation
in the Arctic Council under the Russian Chair-
manship. It is paramount to maintain the Arctic
as an area of peace and co-operation.
When the sea ice is retreating, the Law of the
Sea, most notably the United Nations Conven-
tion on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), becomes
more important as it regulates important rights
and obligations for the use of the Arctic Ocean.
In 2008, the five Arctic coastal states committed
themselves in the Ilulissat-declaration to follow
the law of the seas for an orderly settlement of
disputes and overlapping claims on the conti-
nental shelf.
Raise the ambition level at COP 26
The main driver of climate change is global
emissions of greenhouse gases – which is caused
by human activities. This is why an effective
implementation of the Paris COP 21 Agreement
is of major importance, and why the upcoming
COP 26 meeting in Glasgow in November 2021 is
crucial, for the Arctic and the whole world. More
countries, especially large economies, need to
raise their ambition level. Global warming is a
global problem, which needs global solutions.
Photo credit: Arctic Council Secretariat / Linnea Nordström
Photo credit: Arctic Council Secretariat / Linnea Nordström
6
Annotated Report of implemented Activities
(May 2019 - July 2021)
Based on the mandate received by OSCE PA
President George Tsereteli in the immediate
aftermath of the PA leadership’s study trip to the
Svalbard Islands organized by the Norwegian
Parliament (the Stortinget) in May 2019 to raise
political awareness on the effects of climate
change in the High North3
, I decided to center
my activities as Special Representative on the
following:
• Raising general awareness in the OSCE PA on
challenges affecting the Arctic - with a clear
priority on effects of the climate change crisis
on society.
• Establishing contacts and partnerships with
relevant stakeholders (including OSCE ex-
ecutive structures and Arctic organizations),
informing of the increased attention of the
OSCE PA to Arctic Issues and climate change,
promoting the role parliamentarians and
international parliamentary fora such as the
OSCE PA can play on Arctic Issues and cli-
mate change.
• Offering to Arctic organizations (with specific
expertise but limited reach out) the wider
reach out of the OSCE PA.
• Use the topic of climate change - common
challenge as a confidence-building topic
within the Assembly.
• Provide policy recommendations.
• Media messaging aimed at raising aware-
ness.
7
I implemented these points throughout the fol-
lowing activities:
a) Raising Awareness within the OSCE PA
• Regular reports to the Bureau and to
the Standing Committee (overall 9 reports)
I regularly reported to the OSCE PA leadership
about my activities, not only for a matter of
transparency but also to maintain the topic of
the Arctic and its challenges high on the As-
sembly’s agenda. I took these opportunities
to call for an increased focus of our organiza-
tion on climate change.
• Regular public messages on the OSCE
PA media
I took the opportunity of international days,
such as the World Environment Day, or of
events concerning the Arctic environment,
such as record high temperatures or wildfires,
or publications of other organizations reports,
to deliver some media messages aimed at
raising awareness and calling for action.
• Introductory Keynote speech to the 2nd
Committee Special debate on the Secu-
rity Implications of Climate Change and
the Role of parliamentarians, Vienna, 20
February 2020
See the full intervention here.
• Organization and chairing of an OSCE
PA Parliamentary Web Dialogue: From
the Arctic to Global: the Political Role in
addressing Climate Change4
, 16 Septem-
ber 2020
The organization of this event, which saw the
participation of more than 50 parliamentari-
ans and other dozens of external stakehold-
ers, was organized online to replace what
would have been an in-person side event to
the OSCE PA Annual Session in Vancouver,
cancelled due to the outbreak of the COV-
ID-19 pandemic. The web dialogue has been
one of the highlights of my mandate. The
overall recommendations are integrated in
this report. A summary of the webinar5
was
circulated to all delegations.
• Organization and chairing of a Meeting
with OSCE PA delegations from Arctic
countries6
, 21 May 2021
The meeting aimed at hearing directly from
Arctic delegations what their main concerns
and policy priorities are concerning the Arctic
region and Arctic co-operation, including
within the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. We
underscored together the need to keep it
high on our agenda.
• Official contribution to the Report of
the OSCE PA 2nd Committee at the Re-
mote OSCE PA 2021 Session7
(in absence
of possibilities to propose a stand-alone
resolution)
Throughout my whole mandate, I have coop-
erated and exchanged notes with the lead-
ership of the Assembly’s General Committee
on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and
Environment, which has also clearly prior-
itized the topic of environmental security in
its activities.
b) Participation and Contributions to
International Conferences and Events
• 2019 Arctic Circle Conference, Reykja-
vik, 12-15 October 2019
The Arctic Circle conference is the yearly
biggest gathering of governmental, non-gov-
ernmental and academia experts on the
Arctic, and I took part in this event with the
two-fold aim of receiving inputs for my work
and of establishing contacts with relevant
stakeholders.
8
2019 Nordic Council8
, Stockholm, 31 Octo-
ber 2019
Similarly, I attended the Nordic Council to
further establish contact, to promote the
increased importance of the Arctic region
within Nordic co-operation, to offer to Nordic
countries the wider OSCE PA platform and to
promote an increased role of parliamentar-
ians. I also engaged with relevant environ-
mental bodies and committees.
• Council of Europe Parliamentary As-
sembly (PACE) Committee on External
Affairs on “Developments in the Arc-
tic and opportunities for international
co-operation”9
, Rovaniemi, 16 December
2019
I delivered a keynote speech upon invitation
from the PACE President, focusing on the
reasons why our two partner organizations
should focus more directly on the Arctic,
highlighting the importance of building
synergies and making a better use of parlia-
mentary assets to address climate change in
the region.
• Marshall Center Security Seminar on the
geostrategic importance of the Arctic10
,
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 3 March 2020
I delivered a keynote speech and took part
in a high/level panel shifting the focus to
climate change as the main root cause of the
increased geostrategic importance of the
Arctic. I noted that the Arctic must remain an
area of co-operation and that jointly address-
ing climate threats is also the only viable
solution to defuse arising trade and military
tensions.
• 14th International Conference of parlia-
mentarians of the Arctic Region, Oslo, 18
April 2021
Invited as an official Observer, I delivered
remarks to reiterate the readiness to bring
Arctic instances to the wider forum of the
OSCE, acknowledging that many of the Arctic
problems require global solutions. My role
was strongly appreciated as a link for Arc-
tic legislators to reach foreign partners and
should be further developed.
• European Space Agency (ESA) Work-
shop on Climate Security, Session on the
Arctic, June 2021
In my intervention, delivered on my behalf
by the Secretariat, we underscored the need
to promote a closer partnership between
science and politics, with parliamentarians
implementing a science-driven environmen-
tal policy.
9
13
c) Meetings with External Stakeholders
• OSCE Office for Economic and Environ-
mental Activities
While the OSCE executive structures do not
have a specific focus on the Arctic region, we
emphasized the increased importance of the
climate-security link and agreed to regularly
exchange notes at Secretariat level and build
on each other’s activities.
• Arctic Council Secretariat and Chair-
manship representatives (in multiple
occasions)
The Arctic Council is a key interlocutor. I
first of all ensured to align my efforts to its
activities, in order to be able to promote
them, to raise awareness on them and not to
duplicate. The opportunity to have a direct
counterpart in a big organization as the OSCE
was appreciated, although it is important to
preserve the different mandates and areas of
engagement of the two organizations.
• European Union Special Envoy for the
Arctic
The EU has been placing increasing impor-
tance to the Artic region over the last years,
especially on climate and trade related issues.
With its project management capacity as well
as its political power, the EU is a crucial stake-
holder.
• Chairmanship of the Nordic Council
• Parliamentary Committee for Nordic
Sustainable Development
• PACE President
• Chair of Arctic parliamentarians
• OSCE High Commissioner on National
Minorities
One of the autonomous institutions of the
OSCE, unique among international organiza-
tions, works on protecting and promoting na-
tional minorities. With new challenges affect-
ing Arctic communities, we together decided
to place increased attention to their needs,
including in terms of political representation.
The pandemic blocked the organization of
possible joint initiatives, which could resume
soon.
• Sami Council Representatives
As the organization bringing together the
Sami living in Norway, Sweden, Finland and
Russia, I consider it crucial to hear from them
directly what are the current challenges
and policy priority areas, offering the OSCE
platform to raise awareness on their needs. I
learned that their voice is“always listened to
but rarely heard”, and that they believe that
too often Arctic communities are sacrificed in
the name of economic pursuits. I sent a policy
note to the OSCE High Commissioner on Na-
tional Minorities on this issue.
10
Reccomendations to the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly and Parliamentarians
The cancellation of the OSCE PA 2020 Annual Session and the restrictive procedural rules for the OSCE
PA 2021 Remote (Annual) Session due to the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately prevented me from
presenting and sponsoring a resolution on the effects of climate change on the Arctic. In addition to
the below points which aim at offering some inputs and recommendations as a result of my two-year
work, I would also urge the Assembly to adopt a resolution on this topic at the next Annual Session, in
order to assign to it the right political weight - which only a voted document can carry. In such a way,
the Arctic and specifically the importance it has in global climate would become part of the official
OSCE PA acquis.
• Maintain a focus on the Arctic, acknowledg-
ing that the severe effects of climate change
pose a direct threat to Arctic communities
and to the planet, with consequences on the
wider political, socio-economical, and geo-
strategic interests in the region.
• Address unequivocally climate change as a
climate crisis.
• Continue to raise awareness in the Assem-
bly on the specific challenges faced by the 4
million people living in the Arctic, including
Arctic indigenous communities.
• Recognize the Arctic as the“world’s refrig-
erator”to raise awareness on the effects of
climate change at lower latitudes and on the
role that the Arctic environment plays in reg-
ulating the entire globe’s climate.
• Engage more actively parliamentary dele-
gations from Arctic countries, as important
forces in promoting more effective climate
change policies and sustainable develop-
ment.
• Serve as an OSCE-wide hub for best practices
and track climate-related legislation, poten-
tially working as a catalyzer of efforts, also
with the aim of raising awareness with those
countries which are failing to implement
environmental commitments or are not ac-
knowledging their importance.
a) For the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
11
• Keep a close attention to developments in
the Arctic when addressing climate change
nationally. Making projections in the local
context, acknowledging the role that Arctic
climate plays in regulating the climate at low-
er latitudes and that natural development in
the Arctic should serve to help predict devel-
opments in the rest of the world and thereby
better inform climate policies.
• Engage with parliamentarians from Arctic
countries to exchange views and best prac-
tices, and develop joint policy recommenda-
tions/actions, as no unilateral climate policy
can be effective.
• Make the best use and coordinate key parlia-
mentary assets - notably legislative, oversight
and public awareness capacities – including
within international parliamentary fora, to
support and provide long-term strategic
political leadership to efforts aimed at build-
ing resilient, sustainable and climate-friendly
societies.
• Prioritize climate and environmental policies
in the public agenda, including in parliamen-
tary and governmental work, demonstrating
strong political will and solidarity.
• De-politicize the topic of climate change and
address it as a climate crisis.
• Adapt national legislation in order to imple-
ment commitments included in the milestone
COP21 Paris Agreement and other relevant
international agreements, in particular those
concerning CO2 emission reduction, and to
be fully in line with the UN Sustainable Devel-
opment Goals.
b) For parliamentarians
• Promote the portfolio of the Artic and the
climate-security link as a confidence-building
topic within the Assembly and support the
primary role of the Arctic Council in manag-
ing Arctic co-operation.
• Support the Arctic Council, the Conference
of parliamentarians of the Arctic Region and
other relevant stakeholders to continue to
identify areas of synergies and possible add-
ed values. In particular, engage actively with
the OSCE High Commissioner on National
Minorities on the specific challenges faced
by Arctic communities, including in terms of
political representation, impact of COVID-19,
and consider joint initiatives.
• Acknowledging the urgency of the issue,
develop a stronger and more structured port-
folio on climate change within the Assembly,
within and/or in co-ordination with the Gen-
eral Committee on Science, Technology and
Environmental Affairs (2nd Committee), to
provide a contribution to global efforts based
on distinct parliamentary assets.
• Liaise parliamentarians with prominent
youth/women activists/groups as well as
civil society for future informed policies and
ensure that all voices are heard.
• Promote a science-based policymaking and
increased interchanges between legislators,
academia and scientists.
• Consider the drafting and the voting of a sup-
plementary item (resolution) on the topic of
Arctic and climate change for the next OSCE
Parliamentary Annual Session.
12
• Exercise effective oversight on governments’
participation in international climate nego-
tiations, including the upcoming COP26, on
the implementation of international commit-
ments and on the support to the UNFCCC and
UN ICCP.
• Urgently mobilize adequate resources for the
transition to a carbon-free, sustainable soci-
ety, including with new or revised Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Secure research funding and cross-border
research co-operation and invest on climate
education.
• Ensure inclusive public consultations on
climate-related issues, mainstreaming a
whole-of-society approach, including the
business community (public-private-partner-
ships), youth, women, elderly, people with
disabilities, national minorities, indigenous
people, and other marginalized groups, as
well as involve civil society organizations,
academia and scientists.
• Promote a science-based policy making,
mainstream climate-friendly policies in all
areas of national planning and adapt all legis-
lation to be in line with sustainable develop-
ment goals.
• Consider joint responses to fight pandemics
such as COVID-19 and climate change togeth-
er, taking into account climate-related chal-
lenges in post-COVID19 recovery plans.
• Develop adaptation plans with early-warning
systems, following the Arctic model.
• Given that environmental factors in the Arctic
put pressure on livelihoods and increase
human security risks, engage in various
high-level discussion platforms with climate
change experts to inform the PA members
and the Special Representative about the
trends and possible solutions.
I would like to take the opportunity to link the
“Summary for Policy-Makers”of the latest report
of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change. Click here.
Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
13
Photo credit: Ekaterina Anisimova / AFP
Photo credit: Ekaterina Anisimova / AFP
Conclusions
It emerges very clearly: what happens in the Arctic, doesn’t stay in the Arctic.
The United Nations Secretary General presented the last UN climate report in August 2021 declaring
‘Code Red’. How can we hear this without getting terrified? I briefly mentioned the consequences we
are experiencing: it’s all overwhelming and hard to fathom. Most likely, we are in serious trouble and
can no longer avoid a negative impact on our future. Mother Earth will live on, but if we do not heal the
wounds, it will be the ones living here - you and me and our children- who are threatened. We still have
a leeway, but we need hope, dedication and urgent action.
This report is not an expert–scientific report, nor it is in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s mandate
and resources to provide concrete responses to the fight against the climate crisis in the Arctic and
beyond. However, we do have the capacity to generate political thrust around this topic, push it on top
of our national and international policy-making agendas, listen to science, and support – urgently and
decisively - current frameworks for global climate negotiations.
The strongest fear is the fear of the unknown and as humans we are uniquely vulnerable to uncertain-
ty. We are now putting behind us almost two years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been
hard on everyone - but also showed us the strengths of co-operation, sharing knowledge, experience
and assistance. Let us work in the same way on climate change. We need to move on the same side in
this existential battlefield and resist our real enemy - the sum of the negative climate changes - in the
Arctic and beyond.
With my report, I also wanted to highlight some of the peculiar challenges that Arctic communities are
living. As noted, the Arctic has a population of more than four million people – and it must not be con-
fused for a mass of ice somewhere up in the north, as too often happens. Full support should also be
given to the Arctic Council, a true model for international co-operation: the Arctic is a region of peace
and stability – and such it must remain.
In conclusion, I wish the very best to my successor, OSCE PA Special Representative Bryndis Haraldsdot-
tir, and hope that this report can be useful for her future work within the Assembly. It has been a true
honour and privilege to serve in this position.
Torill Eidsheim
14
Endnotes
1 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
2 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abi9167
3 https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/in-visit-to-arctic-region-osce-pa-leadership-ex-
plores-local-and-global-impact-of-climate-change
4 https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2020/parliamentary-input-greater-urgency-from-gov-
ernments-needed-to-address-climate-crisis-say-osce-parliamentarians-at-webinar
5 https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/special-representatives/arctic-issues/4090-highlights-webinar-on-arctic-and-cli-
mate-change-16-september-2020/file
6 https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2021/arctic-must-remain-an-area-of-co-operation-in-
cluding-in-addressing-climate-change-osce-parliamentarians-say-at-virtual-meeting
7 https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/annual-sessions/2021-remote-session/reports-and-speeches-4/4216-re-
port-for-the-general-committee-on-economic-affairs-science-technology-and-environment/file
8 https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/osce-pa-at-the-2019-nordic-council-in-stock-
holm-synergies-between-nordic-and-osce-agendas-in-focus
9 https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/osce-pa-s-eidsheim-speaks-about-developments-
in-the-arctic-and-opportunities-for-co-operation-at-council-of-europe-meeting
10 https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2020/special-representative-eidsheim-addresses-arc-
tic-challenges-and-climate-change-at-the-marshall-centre
DISCLAIMER: The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly makes no claims nor warranties of any kind,
expressed or implied, about the completeness and reliability of this report and the data con-
tained in it.
15
Photo taken during the visit of the OSCE PA delegation to Svalbard
Photo taken during the visit of the OSCE PA delegation to Svalbard
16
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