Committees

The UK and the Arctic Environment

Inquiry

Climate change poses a threat to the Arctic, with the region experiencing warming as much as four times the global average. The Arctic is one of the most rapidly changing regions in the world, impacting the unique ecosystems and the livelihoods of the  people who live there. The impacts of changes will also be felt far beyond the Arctic

The UK, as the closest non-Arctic country to the North Pole, has much to gain from the Arctic, a great deal to contribute to its preservation, and a moral imperative to minimise its contribution to environmental degradation.

The Sub-Committee’s inquiry will explore three broad aspects of the UK’s relationship with the Arctic and its environment: the moral imperative to protect the delicate Arctic environment, the ramifications of the exploitation of the Arctic for its resources, and the UK’s leadership role in Arctic science.

The inquiry will look at the UK’s duty to minimise damage to the vulnerable region, and examine how the UK Government’s current engagement with the region supports the protection of the Arctic environment, ensuring that the rights and livelihoods of Arctic communities are protected, plastic and other waste levels are reduced, and air and water quality and the wider environment preserved.

Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Thursday 20 April 2023.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Monday 4 September 2023
4:00pm Private
4:15pm Public
The UK and the Arctic Environment - Oral evidence 4 September 2023
4:15pm
  • George Freeman MP (Minister of State (Minister for Science, Research and Innovation) at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Monday 17 July 2023
4:00pm Private
4:45pm Public
The UK and the Arctic Environment - Oral evidence 17 July 2023
4:45pm
  • Jane Rumble OBE (Head of the Polar Regions Department at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Monday 12 June 2023
4:00pm Private
4:15pm Public
The UK and the Arctic Environment - Oral evidence 12 June 2023
4:15pm
  • Dr Jenny Turton (Senior Adviser at Arctic Frontiers)
  • Professor Andrew Shepherd (Head of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Northumbria University, and Director at Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling)
  • Dr James Lea (Reader, Geography and Planning at University of Liverpool)
  • Professor Geraint Tarling (Principal Investigator at BIOPOLE)
5:15pm
  • Dr Anna Jones (Director of Science at British Antarctic Survey)
  • Dr Iain Williams (Director of Strategic Partnerships at Natural Environment Research Council)
  • Henry Burgess (Head of the Natural Environment Research Council Arctic Office at NERC Arctic Office at the British Antarctic Survey)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 24 May 2023
1:50pm Private
2:00pm Public
The UK and the Arctic Environment - Oral evidence 24 May 2023
2:00pm
  • Dr Duncan Depledge (Lecturer in Geopolitics and Security at Loughborough University)
  • Professor Basil Germond (Professor of International Security at Lancaster University)
2:45pm
  • The Lord Mountevans (Honorary President at Maritime London)
  • Jane Sandell (CEO at UK Fisheries Ltd)
  • Gary Taylor (Fisheries Consultant at UK Fisheries Ltd)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster

Contact us

  • Email: eacom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: (General Enquiries) 020 7219 8890 / (Media Enquiries) 020 7219 1034