Arctic Council Urged to Cut Black Carbon Emissions from Shipping

The Clean Arctic Alliance and its member organization, Bellona, have jointly issued a plea to the Arctic Council, urging immediate action to mitigate black carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from shipping activities in the Arctic region. In a letter sent on December 8, 2023, to Morten Høglund, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council, the organizations stressed the critical need for concrete measures to address the escalating environmental impact of shipping in the Arctic.

The letter highlighted the pivotal moment the Arctic Council is currently facing, emphasizing the urgency of steering the Council toward effective action to curb climate pollutants, particularly black carbon, emanating from shipping activities. Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, pointed out that despite a hiatus in Arctic diplomacy, shipping traffic in the region has continued, resulting in a doubling of black carbon emissions in recent years. The November UNEP Emissions Gap Report warned of a trajectory leading to nearly three degrees of warming by the end of the century. However, prioritizing ambitious measures to reduce black carbon emissions within this decade could significantly decrease the risk of triggering dangerous climate tipping points.

Sigurd Enge, Senior Advisor for shipping and arctic issues at Bellona, stressed the global expectation for leadership from the Norwegian chair and the necessity to set a course during its chairship that results in tangible outcomes by 2025. Enge emphasized the need for establishing new and ambitious targets for reducing black carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from shipping and other sources in the Arctic. The Clean Arctic Alliance and Bellona collectively called on Norwegian officials to make a commitment to initiating the complete phase-down of black carbon from shipping in the Arctic.

Norway has assumed the chairship of the Arctic Council from Russia in May of the current year, with its term lasting until 2025. The overarching goal of Norway's chairship is to promote stability and constructive cooperation in the Arctic region. The letter emphasized the critical role of Norway's priorities and actions during its leadership in shaping the future health of the Arctic Ocean.

The Clean Arctic Alliance and Bellona asserted that tackling emissions of black carbon from shipping in the Arctic is a cross-cutting issue within the framework of the Arctic Council. The plea reflects a shared commitment to fostering environmental sustainability and addressing the specific challenges posed by shipping activities in this ecologically sensitive region.