The Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland has for many years been involved in research and consultancy related to the EU’s Arctic policy. New research commissioned by the European Commission studies the EU policies affecting the Arctic from various point of views.

Team of experts carrying out the study is led by
Timo Koivurova, research professor and director of the
Arctic Centre. The Arctic Centre researchers Stefan
Kirchner and Adam Stepien, as well as
till recently affiliated with the Arctic Centre Malgorzata (Gosia)
Smieszek, are also involved in the work.

– The
European Commission and the European External Action Service like us to better
understand how various EU actions are relevant for the Arctic. This would serve
further development of the EU’s Arctic policy and shape overall narrative for the
EU’s Arctic engagement. Our role is to help them out, says Timo
Koivurova. 

The objective of the study is therefore to
collect information on the positive and negative impacts of EU policies on the
Arctic. As a background to such a policy overview, the Arctic footprint of the EU as
a major economy, polluter and technology and research powerhouse will be considered.
The project will also generate policy options aimed at enhancing EU policy
impact.

The study will consider a broad range of EU policies,
including: climate and energy policy, circular economy and plastics pollutions
actions, biodiversity, fisheries, shipping, extraction and use of natural resources,
support for regional development, as well as the EU’s involvement in international
Arctic cooperation.

– In the Arctic Centre, we have been involved
in research and consultancy related to the EU’s Arctic policy for over a decade,
including in an important EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment report ten years
ago, and recently in the EU Arctic Policy Assessment project. We have been of an
opinion that the EU should regularly assess its policy influence in the Arctic as
well as its environmental and economic impact on the region. The present study does
exactly that, so it’s great to be involved, says Adam Stepien.

The final report is planned to be ready before the summer
2021. 

The study is funded by the European Commission,
Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, under a framework contract between the EC
and the consortium led by the EPRD Office for Economic Policy and Regional
Development Ltd. The content of the study will be an independent analysis and will
not necessarily represent the views of the European Union.


Photo of Berlaymont building, headquarters of the
European Commission by European Commission Audiovisual Service. Photographer Etienne
Ansotte.

More
information: 

Professor Timo
Koivurova
Team Leader, Director of the Arctic Centre
timo.koivurova(at)ulapland.fi, +358 (0) 40 551 9522

Adam Stepien
EU Arctic Policy Expert, Arctic Centre
adam.stepien(at)ulapland.fi, +358 (0) 40 484 4298