The Arctic Council An Agent of Change?

Abstract

The geo-political importance of the Arctic is growing while at the same time the onset of climate change has resulted in increasing environmental and social pressures both on Arctic states and the governance architecture through which Arctic issues are addressed. The Arctic Council is the primary intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among Arctic States, Indigenous communities and peoples. This thesis looks at how this body is evolving in response to these pressures. It explores the drivers and barriers to its institutional effectiveness; and through the lens of biodiversity considers how these may hinder or be conducive to its ability to have an impact upon the issues it was formed to address i.e. environmental protection and sustainable development. It does so through considering Actions needed to ensure the sustainable conservation and management of the Arctic’s biodiversity; identifying barriers to the effectiveness of the Council in achieving its goals; and identifying mechanisms through which it seeks to achieve its objectives.