Beyond Arctic PASSION works to build a more coordinated Arctic Observing System of Systems to address the challenges in the Arctic region.

For decades, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and governments have worked to build a more coordinated Arctic Observing System that connects people, knowledge and technology. Yet, the Arctic continues to change faster than our ability to observe it. Observations remain fragmented across nations, observing infrastructures, data systems and knowledge systems, limiting our ability to address the complex environmental and societal challenges facing the region.

The new EU Horizon European project Beyond Arctic PASSION is a major European and international contribution to this effort. Bringing together organisations from across Europe, North America and Asia, the project connects observations from satellites, research vessels and automated monitoring systems with Indigenous-led and community-based observing programmes. By strengthening coordination between these activities, the project will help create a more trusted and accessible source of Arctic knowledge for communities, scientists, decision-makers and industry.

The project’s strength lies in its diversity

Beyond Arctic PASSION will be a cooperated project between more than 40 organizations and 16 countries, including 6 Arctic countries. Three Indigenous Peoples’ organizations (Saami Council, Inuit Circumpolar Council-Greenland, Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada) work alongside universities, national research institutes, operational data services, local and regional authorities. This breadth of expertise and perspective is fundamental to delivering a genuinely coordinated and inclusive Arctic Observing System of Systems and ensuring that knowledge is developed in partnership with those who live and work in the Arctic.

Beyond Arctic PASSION is coordinated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and is jointly led by Dr Michael Karcher from Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany, and Dr Jeremy Wilkinson from British Antarctic Survey, United Kingdom. Here are their thoughts on the project:

Dr. Michael Karcher: “The need for improved Arctic observations has never been greater. As the Arctic warms nearly four times faster than the global average, reliable observations and trusted information are essential for understanding change and ensuring that communities, policymakers, academia and industry have the knowledge they need to respond.”

Dr. Jeremy Wilkinson: “No single organisation or country can meet this challenge alone. By bringing together scientific expertise, Indigenous Knowledge and local knowledge from across the Arctic and elsewhere, Beyond Arctic PASSION will help create a more coordinated, trusted, accessible and equitable observing system that supports decision-making, adaptation and sustainable development.”

Beyond Arctic PASSION works to build a coordinated Arctic observing system of systems.
Beyond Arctic PASSION works to build more coordinated Arctic observing system of systems.
Next steps

Beyond Arctic PASSION was officially launched on 1st September 2026 and will run for four years. The project has a funding of 8,5 million euros by EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement number 101295797.

After the official launch in September, the kick-off meeting of Beyond Arctic PASSION will be hosted by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in Cambridge, UK, 27-29 October 2026.

Finland is also joined in the project with three institutes: Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Helsinki and University of Lapland.

For further information on the project on their website: Beyond Arctic PASSION