Newsletter
December 2024
Welcome to the December edition of the quaterly EU-PolarNet 2 newsletter!
Welcome to the December edition of the quaterly EU-PolarNet 2 newsletter!
As we approach the festive season and the end of 2024, the EU-PolarNet team looks back with pride and gratitude on the achievements and milestones of our project. This Christmas newsletter also marks the final issue of EU-PolarNet, as we conclude nearly a decade of work dedicated to advancing European polar research.
Throughout this journey, EU-PolarNet has played a pivotal role in strengthening collaboration among European polar research communities, bridging the gap between science and society, and laying the groundwork for sustained coordination through the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO). From the creation of innovative tools like the Catalyst platform to fostering stakeholder engagement across diverse sectors, our work has consistently focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing polar regions.
This year, we were proud to contribute to the success of the 2nd European Polar Science Week, co-organising key sessions and highlighting the integration of international polar research infrastructures. We have also seen the consolidation of the EU Polar Cluster, where collaboration and knowledge-sharing have been central to avoiding duplication and enhancing the impact of EU-funded projects. These efforts will continue under EPCO, ensuring that the legacy of EU-PolarNet endures.
As we conclude 10 years of EU-PolarNet, we would like to sincerely thank our partners, stakeholders and the wider polar research community for their invaluable contributions and support. Together we have made great progress in building a more coordinated and impactful future for European polar research.
From all of us at EU-PolarNet, we wish you a happy and peaceful festive season.
Best wishes,
The EU-PolarNet team
Newsletter content
- EU-PolarNet 2 Final Symposium
- EU-PolarNet 2 at 2024 European Polar Science Week
- EU-PolarNet 2 brochure research priorities
- EU-PolarNet 2 Policy brief: White Paper with 80 Policy Recommendations to Strengthen International Collaboration in Polar Observations
- EU-PolarNet 2 Stakeholder Portal
- The Legacy of EU-PolarNet: Shaping the Future of European Polar Research
News from EU-PolarNet 2
EU-PolarNet 2 Final Symposium
On November 19, 2024, EU-PolarNet culminated in a final symposium titled “Together for the Poles – Advancing European Polar Research through Collaboration”. Held at the Norway House in Brussels, this one-day symposium served as a platform to showcase nine years of collective achievements in European polar research. The event also marked the transition to a new era of coordination, introducing the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO) as the successor to EU-PolarNet. The symposium gathered a diverse audience of 70 participants, including political actors, research funders, scientists, industry representatives, local communities, and civil society. Hosted by the Norwegian Embassy, the event underscored the critical importance of fostering partnerships to address the complex challenges facing polar regions.
The symposium’s interactive format encouraged dialogue about how European research can meet the dual demands of advancing scientific knowledge and addressing societal needs. Topics included climate adaptation, conservation, sustainable development, and the rights and roles of indigenous and local communities.
With its inclusive approach and vision for greater collaboration, the event not only celebrated past achievements but also set a collaborative agenda for the future.
EU-PolarNet 2 at 2024 European Polar Science Week
From September 3 to 6, 2024, the European polar science community convened in Copenhagen for the 2nd European Polar Science Week, a key milestone in strengthening cooperation between the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The event aimed to enhance European collaboration in polar science and provided a platform for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address pressing challenges in polar regions.
As a co-organiser, EU-PolarNet 2 played an integral role in shaping the discussions and outcomes of the event. On the opening day, during the European EC-ESA Collaboration plenary, EU-PolarNet representatives presented insights into the project’s impact and future goals:
Nicole Biebow, Coordinator of EU-PolarNet, delivered an overview of the initiative’s achievements and key products, emphasizing its legacy through the establishment of the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO). This office aims to sustain coordination efforts and foster collaboration across Europe’s polar research community.
Anneli Strobel, EU-PolarNet 2 Project Manager, highlighted the mission and objectives of the EU Polar Cluster, which seeks to strengthen European leadership in polar research through strategic partnerships and shared initiatives.
EU-PolarNet 2 also organized a session titled “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Polar Research through Advanced Research Infrastructures.” This session focused on the need for enhanced international cooperation and better integration of observation systems in polar regions. Discussions highlighted the need for long-term investments in research infrastructures and data-sharing mechanisms to advance polar science globally.
Missed the opening? Watch the event opening here.
EU-PolarNet 2 brochure research priorities
One of the most important tasks for EU-PolarNet 2 was to prioritise research topics in polar research. Based on the results of the previous work of the EU-PolarNet consortium, particularly the five White Papers and the European Polar Research Programme (EPRP), the priority topics for European Polar Research over the next 10 years have been identified through an extensive and inclusive process.
The „Identification report of critical future research needs“ in the Polar Regions (EU-PolarNet 2 deliverable 3.5) was already published in November 2023. EU-PolarNet has now published the exercise and the results of the research prioritisation process in the form of a brochure. The brochure “European Polar Research Priorities” can be downloaded here.
EU-PolarNet 2 Policy brief: White Paper with 80 Policy Recommendations to Strengthen International Collaboration in Polar Observations
In April 2024, EU PolarNet 2 launched a white paper featuring 80 actionable policy-level recommendations aimed at enhancing international collaboration in polar observations.
The white paper identifies over a hundred polar initiatives and offers recommendations to defragment the polar observing landscape, minimise duplication, bridge gaps in the current polar observing strategy and enhance large-scale coordination. Compiled over a two-year period of consultations and meetings with experts and stakeholders from the polar community, the recommendations cover areas of mutual interest between the Arctic and the Antarctic. The recommendations of the white paper have now been published as an “EU-PolarNet Policy Briefing: Strengthening international collaboration for observing polar regions”, which can be downloaded here.
EU-PolarNet 2 Stakeholder Portal
EU-PolarNet 2 has launched an open access Stakeholder Engagement Portal by beginning of December 2024.
The portal supports researchers in deciding which stakeholders and/or rights holders they should involve in the planning and implementation of research in the polar regions and in conducting a two-way dialogue. It is designed to be used for either Arctic or Antarctic. It provides guidelines by linking to existing resources for identifying, determining the role of stake- and rights holders, dialogue, resources and opportunities, support and continuing cooperation.
The portal is aimed to share information and support the decisions of projects and researchers themselves.
Why not test it today? It’s freely available at https://polarcatalyst.eu/.
The Legacy of EU-PolarNet: Shaping the Future of European Polar Research
As EU-PolarNet reaches the conclusion of its mission, its legacy is firmly rooted in its transformative contributions to the coordination and integration of European polar research. Designed to address global challenges and provide practical support for decision-making, EU-PolarNet’s outcomes have established a foundation that will be carried forward by the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO).
Central to this legacy is the Catalyst platform, a comprehensive tool designed to enhance coordination, streamline information flow, and foster engagement. The platform will serve as a repository for polar research data and policy insights, and will host innovative features such as the Stakeholder Engagement Tool, enabling meaningful connections between researchers, policymakers, industry, and indigenous communities. These tools ensure that polar research remains aligned with societal needs, supporting efforts in climate adaptation, sustainable resource use, and ecosystem conservation.
EU-PolarNet has also delivered critical frameworks and guidance documents to address the pressing challenges facing polar regions. From the impacts of climate change to the sustainable management of resources, these contributions have emphasised the urgency of coordinated action.
Looking ahead, the EPCO will take responsibility for sustaining and building upon EU-PolarNet’s achievements. Among its key activities will be the coordination of the EU Polar Cluster, a network of Horizon-funded projects and polar organisations focused on the Arctic and Antarctic. By fostering collaboration among the Cluster members, the EPCO aims to strengthen Europe’s collective impact on polar research.
The establishment of EPCO marks a significant step forward in ensuring the sustainability of EU-PolarNet’s achievements. As Europe’s central coordination body for polar research, EPCO will drive synergies between researchers, decision-makers, and stakeholders to advance a sustainable future for polar regions and beyond.
You can find all our outcomes on the EU-PolarNet website: https://eu-polarnet.eu/. In addition, the key results of EU-PolarNet 1 and EU-PolarNet 2 can be found on Zenodo.
