The Environment and Resource Management in the High North

Ill. 1: Map of the North Sea, Norway and Scotland.

o Norway and Scotland: strong ties, common history, culture, geography, the sea.

Ill. 2: Map of the North Sea showing oil and gas pipelines (illustrates close ties).

o People-to-people contacts count: students, companies, fisheries, oil and gas. North Sea web.

Ill. 3: Map of the Arctic, the Nordic countries and the UK.

o UK: proud Polar traditions. A Scotsman, William Speirs Bruce, said to have laid the foundation for modern climate change studies.

o The High North: four “resources” but one environment. Responsibility.
o fish and other living marine resources
o energy
o shipping capacity
o and human beings

o Increasing international interest. “Drivers”:
o ice melting
o leading to opening of new shipping routes
o easier access to petroleum deposits
o In sum: more need for international cooperation.

Ill. 4: Double map showing reduction in extent of Polar ice cap:  1979 vs. 2007.

o Climate change: top of the agenda. Man-made. Ice melting. Warmer sea water. Dire consequences for hundreds of millions. First observed in the Arctic. A platform for climate research. Tromsø. Svalbard (also home to the Global Seed Vault).
o The road to Copenhagen: ice melting conference and Arctic Council meeting in Tromsø. CCS conference in Bergen. (Discussions at LSE conference tomorrow).

Ill. 5: The Arctic Council’s logo.

o Arctic Council: the only circumpolar organisation. Policy shaping.
o Eight members. Welcome observers. Arctic affairs – an international concern.
o Research and other activities. Sets the agenda. Recommendations.
o Make decisions. Follow-up: the Arctic states and relevant int’l organisations.

Ill. 6: Map of the Arctic illustrating that Russia covers “about one half”.

o Crucial feature of the Arctic Council: includes Russia. Neighbouring country.
o Russia must be on board: science, fisheries, energy, human resources. Cold War: security.

Ill. 7: Map of the Norwegian zones.

o Fisheries. Living marine resources. Joint Norwegian-Russian management of stocks – a success story. Fight against IUU catches. Key words: management and predictability.

Ill. 8: Fishing boat.

o Integrated management plan for the Barents Sea. Integrated plan for the Norwegian Sea.
o NEAFC (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission): EU/UK important, constructive partner. Equitable management of stocks.
o Scotland: our most important partner in the EU as regards the management of joint stocks in the North Sea. Traditional field of cooperation. Cooperation in fish-farming/aquaculture. Shared goal: environmental sustainability.
o Future: bio-prospecting a priority area for Norway.

Ill. 9: Man reading gas meter.

o Energy. The photo: turning the heat on (or off)? Oil and gas. Energy is crucial to Europe. Russia supplies 25% and Norway 18% of the gas consumed by the EU. Security of supply. Diversification of sources.

Ill. 10: Map indicating possible energy resources in the Arctic.

o Possibly 22% of the world’s undiscovered resources?
o Just an estimate. Could the Arctic become a major energy province?
o Again: Russia. Largest reserves. Stockman. Now: financial crisis, uncertainty. Russia’s political development. Huge country – where is it heading?

Ill. 11: Map showing possible routes for oil and gas transport from the Barents Sea.

o Could this become reality? Industrial opportunities for communities in the High North.

Ill. 12: Cruise ship.

o Ships. New sailing routes. Increase in tourism.
o Need: search and rescue capabilities. Environmental awareness. Our coastlines.

Ill. 13: Maps showing the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage.

o Possible in near future? Transportation across the Arctic. 40% shorter.
o Important for the UK, Norway and others. Need: international environmental standards.

Ill. 14: North Pole and South Pole.

o On politics and governance: the Arctic is not the Antarctic. The Antarctic: empty continent surrounded by ocean. The Arctic: ocean surrounded by inhabited states. Level of human activity will increase. Need: good governance. Policy.
o The legal framework is in place: UNCLOS. Ilulissat May 2008. Claims to the continental shelf, in accordance with UNCLOS provisions.
o There is no “race to Arctic”. Need: orderly process, governed by int’l law.

Ill. 15: Two photos from Svalbard: 1928 vs. 2002.

o In conclusion: Man-made challenges – global warming. Man-made solutions needed. Human resources. Knowledge-based. Education. People.
o UK/Scotland: a most desirable partner. Highly appreciate how generously you receive a great number of Norwegians at your universities and schools.

Ill. 16 (same as ill. 1): Map of the North Sea, Norway and Scotland.

o Scotland/Norway: solid traditions, strong bonds, many personal stories.
o Perhaps a new field of bilateral cooperation: “E-health”. Tromsø (telemedisin).
o Not to mention renewable energy development. Joint projects. Knowledge.
o Now, open for questions or comments.