| Summary: | Environmental governance often refers to an established system that influences environmental action by changing environmental incentives, knowledge, or stakeholders' decision-making or behavior (Bennett et al.). Many environmental institutions face increasing pressure to address transboundary issues, such as climate change and environmental protection. The UN's 2019 biodiversity assessment found "around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction"(United Nations). At the same time, climate change is changing ecological patterns threatening nations' safety and security worldwide. Although these problems do not start or end in the Arctic, this early warming region gives a case study to apply to the global picture. This study will analyze how the Arctic Council impacts international and regional governance, what mechanisms are used, and the future role. Academic literature will be used to support findings and paint a clear picture of the Arctic Council's role in this changing climate. A centerpiece in the analysis explores Oberthür's four primary institutional niches of international environmental governance (Oberthür et al.). The Arctic Council uses three of these niches to influence environmental governance. The Arctic Council is a high-level forum that influences international and regional environmental governance by strengthening international cooperation, raising awareness of Arctic issues, and conducting assessments that affect decision-makers. The Arctic Council uses its products to exert soft influence on the environmental protection and sustainable development of its member states. Its flexible organizational structure and diverse community enable it to fill the gaps in environmental governance in the international system.
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