Arctic Council takes a “great leap forward” at Nuuk meeting


Grounded ship in Norway (c) WWF
The circumpolar countries, including Canada, will assess the need to jointly manage the Arctic using an ecosystem-based approach, which allows for better management of resources. They will also examine change and resilience in the increasingly vulnerable Arctic; this is considered essential by WWF which argues that important areas of conservation need to be identified prior to any resource development.
Lastly, the Council will develop international rules for oil spill preparedness and response. There is no provision for oil spill prevention, however – a glaring omission in our view.
See our press release for more details.
Here is WWF’s Nuuk Ministerial statement [PDF], tabled with the Council, and also published on its website.
Read the Nuuk Ministerial Declaration, issued May 12, 2011.