Newsletter EU-PolarNet 1
December 2018
Second EU-PolarNet Policy Briefing
EU-PolarNet held its second policy briefing in Brussels on 26th September 2018. Themed “At the frontline of climate change: Key changes in the Polar Regions that call for European action” the event brought pressing polar issues to the European Parliament. During the two-hour long policy briefing, EU-PolarNet presented its five polar white papers and fostered discussions on how European polar research and climate policies can contribute to the protection and sustainable development of the Polar Regions. The event was co-organised by the EP Intergroup on “Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” and hosted by Christel Schaldemose, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Intergroup’s “Polar Regions” working group.
Read the full report about the policy briefing and download the EU-PolarNet White Paper Summaries.
Final AMAP and EU-PolarNet Stakeholder Workshop
The fourth and final AMAP/EU-PolarNet workshop was held on 12 October 2018 in Rovaniemi, Finland in association with the Arctic Biodiversity Congress. The central theme of this workshop was research needs for a better understanding of Arctic biology and terrestrial ecosystems and the factors that influence their functioning, including the many human uses of this area, in the light of the various changes occurring in the Arctic associated with climate change. The workshop took place during the Arctic Biodiversity Congress to be able to draw from the information and ideas presented at the Congress as a background for further discussion.
A full report of the workshop will soon be available on the EU-PolarNet website. In the meantime you can find the full agenda and abstracts online.
EU-PolarNet Arctic Circle Sessions
At this year’s Arctic Circle Assembly EU-PolarNet hosted a session on its set of white papers and co-convened a session with the Fram Centre on stakeholder engagement. The white paper session was themed “Research for societal benefit: Where polar research can make a difference”. It gave an overview of the five white papers, the suggested research areas and their potential for social, economic and environmental benefits. Furthermore, the fostered discussions on future priorities for European polar research. The joint session with the Fram Centre was called “And action! Moving beyond benevolent rhetoric in stakeholder engagement”. It gave the floor to representatives from different stake- and rights holders, offering them the opportunity to share their ideas on meaningful engagement in Arctic projects. Moreover, EU-PolarNet and the other EU Arctic Cluster projects were represented at the EU’s Horizon2020 booth.
New EU Arctic Cluster member
The EU Arctic Cluster, a network of EU funded Arctic projects, welcomed it’s 10th member: KEPLER. KEPLER is a multi-partner initiative, built around the operational European Ice Services and Copernicus information providers, to prepare a roadmap for Copernicus to deliver an improved European capacity for monitoring and forecasting the Polar Regions. The project’s motivation is to put the public and stakeholders at the centre of Copernicus.
Learn more about KEPLER.
New deliverables
Gap analysis highlighting the technical and operational requirements of the European Polar Research Programme for satellite applications. Download here.
Data management recommendations for polar research data systems and infrastructures in Europe. Download here.
Outlook
EU Arctic Cluster Side Event at Arctic Frontiers 2019
“Improved safety and environmentally sound operations in the Arctic Ocean – how to move forward?”
Wednesday 23 January, 12:30 to 14:00.
This interactive session will discuss progress in taking a multidimensional approach to shipping-related safe operations in the Arctic Ocean.
