Recommendations
6. The
Government should build into its Arctic Policy Framework a regular
review and updating of its projections of ice cap melting, taking
account of evolving scientific understanding of climate change
in the Arctic. (Paragraph 12)
7. We recommend that
the Government review its position on Arctic oil and gas extraction,
setting out a more convincing and coherent position in its Policy
Framework document, consistent with the latest climate change
and energy projections, including the International Energy Agency's
latest World Energy Outlook. (Paragraph 17)
8. In the light of
the environmental safety issues being examined by the US authorities,
the Government should reconsider whether a moratorium on new Arctic
oil and gas exploration is the most effective way of protecting
the Arctic. (Paragraph 25)
9. The Government
should work with the new Arctic Council permanent observers to
help support the sustainable development of the region. The Government
should also explore the opportunities for greater participation
of parliamentarians and others in the Government's delegation
to the Arctic Council. We urge UK-based individuals, companies,
NGOs and the Government to engage and contribute to the new Arctic
Circle's work. (Paragraph 31)
10. The Government
should use its first Arctic policy framework to set out how it
will take a more active role in helping to shape the future of
the Arctic. We recommend that the Government use the first version
of its Arctic Policy Framework document as a draft for public
consultation. As well as the issues we raise in this report, the
Framework should explicitly address the areas discussed in our
earlier report, including:
- A narrative on how the Rio
principles and the outcomes from the Rio+20 Summit will guide
the UK's approach to the Arctic;
- how the Government intends to use its science
and research to increase its influence on Arctic matters;
- how the Government plans to secure the pre-conditions
for environmentally safe drilling in the Arctic;
- how the Government intends to secure a much higher,
preferably unlimited, financial liability regime for oil and gas
operations throughout the Arctic;
- the need for an area of the Arctic to be set
aside as a 'sanctuary' and protected from oil and gas development,
to be progressed in dialogue with both the Arctic Council and
the UN;
- how the Government will use its influence in
international forums to help protect the Arctic from the possible
impacts of increased international shipping, and how it will support
relevant sectors of the UK economy to take advantage of future
opportunities in a sustainable way; and
- the Government's commitment to support the sustainable
management of Arctic fisheries.
It should identify the policies and roles resting
with each Government department and how those departments will
co-ordinate in taking those forward. And the Framework document
should set out how the Government will engage with the IMO, UN,
Arctic Council, the EU and the Arctic Circle group in seeking
the necessary environmental protection of the Arctic. (Paragraph
35)
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