European Commission recognises ESF’s role in European research on polar science

The European Commission has adopted a new communication plan on "The European Union and the Arctic Region" which highlights the effects of climate change and human activities in the Arctic. Apart from setting out EU interests and policy objectives, the new plan, which marks the first step towards an EU Arctic Policy and an important contribution to implementing the Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU, proposes a systematic and coordinated response to rapidly emerging challenges.  

In this document European Commission acknowledges the importance of European Science Foundation (ESF) by recommending to “create new research infrastructure and enhance monitoring and surveillance capabilities” and calling on the European Union members to contribute into the financing of the European research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS. The development of Aurora Borealis, the first European research vessel for the Arctic, is the main objective of the new 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project ERICON, coordinated by the ESF.

“This is a major step forward for the political recognition of Polar European research efforts at the EU level and we hope to build on this by proposing a long term strategies for research through a green paper in the spring of 2009,” commented Dr. Paul Egerton, the Executive Director of the European Polar Board, the ESF’s expert committee.

EU Member States and the European Community are major contributors to Arctic research. The current FP7 addresses new projects and large international undertakings dealing with Arctic-related research. The European Polar Board seeks to harmonise and maximise the impact of European polar research. The European Environment Agency has made a series of assessments, building on the work of the Arctic Council.

“The Arctic is a unique and vulnerable region located in the immediate vicinity of Europe. Its evolution will have significant repercussions on the life of Europeans for generations to come Enhancing the European Union’s contribution to Arctic cooperation will open new perspectives in our relations with the Arctic states,” said Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who is responsible for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy. “The EU is ready to work with them to increase stability, to enhance Arctic multilateral governance through the existing legal frameworks as well as to keep the right balance between the priority goal of preserving the environment and the need for sustainable use of natural resources including hydrocarbons.”

The latest Communication document has stated when regarding the Arctic research, the EC further proposes:

-    Develop further research programmes dealing with sea-level rise, loss of sea ice and melting permafrost as well as related feedbacks leading to accelerated warming and having other anthropogenic impacts on the Arctic ecosystems.

-    Assess the state and evolution of the Arctic environment in order to contribute to the formulation of appropriate EU policies.

-    Coordinate efforts in different research areas relevant to the Arctic such as environment, transport, health and energy, as well as develop Arctic technologies.

-    Ensure continuity in space measurements via GMES. Support long-term measurements and reporting of marine data through the European Marine Observation and Data Network.

-    Contribute to establishing the Arctic component of Global Earth Observing System of Systems.

-    Develop enhanced, broad international information exchange on research projects and facilitate coordination of national programmes. Thus the EU should contribute to supporting the establishment of the Sustained Arctic Observing Network.

-    Ensure open access to information from Arctic monitoring and research based on the principle of the Shared Environmental Information System. Facilitate and support outreach to the broader public.

For more infromation please click here and here

Notes to editors

The European Polar Board (EPB) is Europe’s principle strategic forum for Science Policy Issues in the Arctic and Antarctic. The Board is a platform for European engagement in International Science programmes and provides strategic science policy advice to the European Commission and international bodies. Through the development of an organisational framework EUROPOLAR, the European Polar Board seeks to harmonize and maximize the impact of European Polar Research in a global context. The European Polar Board is enhancing engagement and strategic dialogue on Science and technology issues with the U.S. and other international partners.

---

Media contact:

Mr. Thomas LauE-Mail

Science contact:

Dr. Paul EgertonE-Mail

Category: Polar, Media Centre, Homepage, Press Releases 2008