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.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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Sixth Report - The UK and the Arctic Environment
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
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HC 1141
Report
Response to this report
Second Special Report - The UK and the Arctic Environment: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2022–23
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HC 431
Special Report
Second Special Report - The UK and the Arctic Environment: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2022–23
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
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HC 431
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Correspondence

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Letter from the Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology regarding questions raised at 'The UK and the Arctic Environment' evidence session of 4 September 2023, dated 16 October 2023
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
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HC 380
Correspondence
Letter from the Minister for Americas and the Caribbean (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), following up on questions raised at the The UK and the Arctic Environment evidence session of 17 July, dated 18 August 2023
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
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HC 1141
Correspondence
Letter from the Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology responding to the Sub-Committee's letter of 24 July 2023, dated 2 August 2023
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
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HC 1141
Correspondence

Oral evidence transcripts

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4 September 2023
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
Witnesses Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Oral Evidence
17 July 2023
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
Witnesses Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
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Oral Evidence
12 June 2023
Inquiry The UK and the Arctic Environment
Witnesses British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, and NERC Arctic Office at the British Antarctic Survey
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Cruise Lines International Association (ARC0029)
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Dr Angus Naylor (Research Fellow at University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada)) (ARC0002)
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Professor Basil Germond (Professor of International Security at Lancaster University), and Professor Neeraj Suri (Distinguished Professor & Chair in Cyber Security at Lancaster University) (ARC0003)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

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