Given that the Arctic is coveted for its resources and is particularly vulnerable to climate change, MEPs from the European Parliament's foreign affairs (AFET) and environment (ENVI) committees say that the region deserves to benefit from all the protection needed in order to prevent a mad race to exploit its riches at the expense of its sustainable development and security.
This is the decision the AFET and ENVI committee MEPs reached in Brussels on Tuesday 31 January when voting on the integrated strategy for the Arctic. The strategy was proposed by the European Commission with a view to equipping the EU with a more coherent framework in the Arctic region (see EUROPE 11709, 11662). The draft joint resolution of the two committees was adopted by a large majority (111 votes in favour, 8 against and 1 abstention). The European Parliament as a whole will make its decision on 2 March.
"The EU needs to have a strong policy for the Arctic co-operation, not least because we are closely linked to the rapidly changing Arctic climate: on one the hand, we are affected by the changes in weather and living conditions caused by melting ice, on the other hand we are among the greatest emitters of pollutants to the Arctic atmosphere", ENVI committee co-rapporteur Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP, Finland) stated.
The MEPs underline that Arctic sea ice has diminished significantly since 1981, threatening to release huge amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, while melting glaciers contribute to globally rising sea levels. The MEPs call for more stringent safeguards in order to respect and protect the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples, and guarantee their right to participate in decision-making on natural resources’ extraction.
Supporting a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic Ocean. The MEPs also call on the European Commission and member states to work towards banning the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in maritime transport, through the MARPOL convention (an international convention for the prevention of marine pollution by ships). In case this does not prove feasible, the EU should take measures to prohibit the use and carriage of HFO for vessels calling at EU ports.
Transport & Environment (T&E), an NGO campaigning for sustainable transport, immediately welcomed this ban on "the dirtiest of all fuel types", noting that the UN's maritime body, the IMO, "has so far failed to extend the prohibition to the northern polar region".
Avoiding tension. Pointing out "the increased Russian military forces in the region, the building and re-opening of bases and the creation of an Arctic military district of Russia", the MEPs want the Arctic to remain a low-tension area, and they highlight the important role played by the Arctic Council in maintaining constructive cooperation, low tension, peace and stability in the region, AFET committee rapporteur Urmas Paet (ALDE, Estonia) states. "The Arctic has long been an area of constructive international cooperation and it has remained a low-tension cooperative regional order in the world. We want to keep it that way. There is a need to avoid the militarisation of the Arctic. Also, respect for international law in the Arctic is essential". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang).