TAKING STOCK OF ADAPTATION PROGRAMS IN THE ARCTIC. May 2013.

• Main Author: Arctic Council
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Arctic Council Secretariat 2013
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic Council; Climate change; permafrost
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11374/1630

The impacts of climate change and other changes in the Arctic are occurring at a rapid pace and indigenous peoples, residents, governments and industry require information and tools to respond. In recognition of this reality, the Arctic Council adopted a new initiative, “Adaption Actions for a Changing Arctic”. “Taking Stock of Adaptation Programs in the Arctic” represents one element (Component B) of this larger initiative. “Taking Stock of Adaptation Programs in the Arctic” focused on climate change adaptation activities that are being implemented at national, sub-national, regional and local levels within the Arctic region. The primary means to collect information for this project was by a written survey using a template that included a mix of open-ended and multiple choice questions. The information provided in survey templates was supplemented by follow-up consultations with Arctic Council state and Permanent Participant project representatives identified for the project. The analysis of the information gathered provides a “snapshot” of a range of adaptation activities that are occurring in the Arctic region and has allowed for the elaboration of a number of descriptive factors related to these activities. The intent of the project was not to present a fully representative picture of all Arctic adaptation-related initiatives. The adaptation activities fell into five main categories: planning and decision- support tools; awareness-raising; monitoring and provision of data; training; and, mainstreaming. By far, the majority of the activities were characterized as adaptation enabling and included the development of community adaptation plans, hazard and vulnerability assessments and maps, communications products, monitoring information, and training resources. Many of the activities reflected an immediate need to respond to infrastructure issues. In some Arctic states, the effect of climate warming on permafrost is severely impacting roads, airstrips, buildings and drinking water utilities. In other states, ...