Sneak peek into the new work of the Arctic Council – A briefing series 6 May 2021BiodiversityData and knowledgeClimateMonitoringOceanAssessmentsPollutantsArctic Council Ministerial Be one of the first to learn about the latest reports, assessments and activities from the Council’s Working Groups on the topics of climate change, Arctic shipping, human health and innovation in Arctic communities The Arctic Council under the leadership of its six Working Groups and its Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane will organize a series of four briefings leading up to the Ministerial meeting. These briefings will feature sneak peeks and highlights from the experts themselves on new reports, assessments and other materials that will publish after the Ministerial meeting on 20 May. The four briefings will explore how the Arctic Council contributes to a better understanding of Arctic change, including actions it takes to address the challenges facing Arctic ecosystems and biodiversity, conservation, health concerns and pollution issues, and how it contributes to safe and sustainable development of the Arctic. During each briefing, experts will provide the highlights, followed by a Q&A session where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions to the experts. The briefing schedules, registration links and speakers for each session follows. Please note that information and materials discussed and displayed are under embargo until 20 May 2021 at 11:30 a.m. GMT. Briefing 1: Understanding climate change in the Arctic and its implications Audience members will get a fast-forward to understanding new findings and key trends in climate-driven environmental and social changes in the Arctic. This session will focus on recent findings on how climate change is impacting the environment, societies and biodiversity, and present expert recommendations on how Arctic States can reduce emissions of black carbon. Specific topics will include: Recent findings on climate change in the Arctic Impacts of climate change on societies and extreme events What’s happening with Arctic biodiversity, and global implications Action on black carbon and methane – how Arctic nations are taking action and recommendations for the future Emerging issues including wildland fires Date and time: Monday 17 May, 14:00-15:00 GMT Briefing 2: Navigating the future of Arctic shipping Access to the Arctic Ocean is changing quickly as sea ice extent reduces and thins – enabling longer seasons of ship navigation and new access to previously difficult to reach regions. This briefing will take stock of the increase of Arctic shipping over the past years, and associated risks like oil spills and search and rescue incidents. It will look at how the Council contributes to safeguarding the marine environment and enables safe and sustainable shipping in Arctic waters. Specific topics will include: The current status of Arctic shipping Insights on marine emergency response Arctic marine tourism Emerging issues Date and time: Monday 17 May, 15:15-16:00 GMT Briefing 3: Human health This briefing will shed light on how climate change, pollutants and lifestyles impact human health in the Arctic. It will also overview newly evaluated risks for radiation exposure and how radiation can impact human health. Attendees will hear how the Council is tackling emerging issues like Covid-19, future pandemics and black carbon health effects. Specific topics will include: How Arctic lifestyles, diets and pollution exposure impacts human health Short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) and human health Radiation risks and health impacts Mental health and suicide prevention Emerging issues, including Covid-19 Date and time: Tuesday 18 May, 14:00-15:00 GMT Briefing 4: Arctic communities setting a path to the future This briefing explores what the world has to learn from the Arctic and presents innovative case studies of what we can learn from Indigenous peoples’ Traditional Knowledge and Local Knowledge, how we can tap into the full potential of Arctic economies and how Arctic communities initiate energy transitions. Specific topics will include: Building sustainable economies Mainstreaming biodiversity in the mining sector Cleaning up communities in the Arctic Emerging issues and energy initiatives Date and time: Tuesday 18 May, 15:15-16:00 GMT