Scottish Government Arctic Policy: Mapping Report

• Main Authors: Jafry, Tahseen, Mikulewicz, Michael, Mattar, Sennan, Davidson, Magnus, Bremner, Barbara
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Scottish Government 2019
• Subjects: climate change; Arctic Region; Scottish Government; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/zero_hunger; SDG 2 - Zero Hunger; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/climate_action; SDG 13 - Climate Action; Arctic; Climate change; Global warming
• Online Access: https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/en/publications/f7206a39-3a9f-47b9-98ba-74d726086915; https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/ws/files/27282329/Arctic_Mapping_Report_Final_June_2019.pdf

Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C and increase further with 2°C (IPCC 2018). This is expected to have significant consequences for the Arctic Region including challenges related to changes in social life and livelihoods, access to food and food production, and biodiversity. At the same time climate change may present opportunities for economic growth through for example trade, tourism and industrial development. Scotland is the Arctic’s closest neighbour and as such is positioned well to help address the Arctic region’s challenges and to contribute to the benefits stemming from the ‘opening up of the Arctic’. The Scottish Government proposes the development of The Arctic Policy in recognition of Scotland’s long history of social, cultural, economic and academic ties with its northern neighbours. To help shape the Scottish Arctic Policy development process, this mapping report was conducted to provide a detailed overview of Scotland’s existing links with the Arctic region from 5 perspectives: governance, socio-cultural-community, economic, environment and climate change, and academic-research and to provide insights into the opportunities for future collaborations and partnerships. A two-pronged approach was used to conduct the mapping report; a desk based review of literature and stakeholder engagement workshops. The study set out to answer the following set of questions: • What links exist between Scotland and the Arctic Region in the context of governance, socio-cultural-community issues, the economy, environment and climate change and academic-research and education? • How can critical thinking, insight and feedback by key and wider stakeholders be mobilized for the development and roll out of the Arctic Policy? • What are the gaps and opportunities for furthering the development of the Arctic Policy?