Arctic Frontiers side event - Challenges and Solutions to Sustainable Management of Cumulative Risk in High North Ecosystems

Multiple stressors originating from human activities impact ecosystems cumulatively, posing challenges to sustainable management. Arctic and subarctic ecosystems are at high risk of cumulative impact due to their vulnerability. Cumulative risk to High North ecosystems is rapidly increasing due to climate change and northward expansion of human activities. The existing regulatory frameworks and management regimes are challenged by the rapid pace and broad scope of change, and by knowledge gaps on emerging risks to ecosystems and to their goods and services. Addressing these challenges requires appropriate governance and management processes, together with a concerted effort among stakeholders, scientists and local communities. 

The Fram Centre research program CLEAN addresses the scientific and management challenges posed by multiple stressors and their cumulative risk to High North ecosystems across marine, freshwater and terrestrial case studies. The Arctic Frontiers side event will capitalize on the expertise and ongoing research within program CLEAN and related national and Horizon Europe projects, which are presently helping to develop solutions to the scientific and management challenges of multiple stressors.

The Arctic Frontiers side event will address the following issues:

• Amplification of cumulative risk by climate change
• Changing exposure and sensitivity to anthropogenic stressors
• Multiple stressors and cumulative impact assessments in existing legal and regulatory frameworks
• Limitations of risk assessment models to guide mitigation measures
  The aim of the side event is to highlight scientific and management challenges posed by multiple anthropogenic stressors, and to propose actionable solutions that will help improve the adaptive management of cumulative risk in the High North. 

The Arctic Frontiers side event will consist of a panel debate introduced by brief presentations of participant keynote speakers. The panel will be composed of scientists and stakeholders addressing a diverse audience of regulators, stakeholders, NGOs, and scientists, to help raise awareness of existing challenges and to guide research efforts underpinning better management of cumulative risks to Arctic ecosystems.

The Side Event will take place at Clarion Hotel the Edge, Tromsø, from 11:00 to 12:30. For detailed information about the event, read more on the Arctic Frontiers websites.