The Barents co-operation has from its very beginning aimed at
improving the living conditions of the people in the region. At the same
time, the natural environment in the Barents area is unique in its
biological diversity and is an integral part of the Earth’s ecosystem,
providing resources that form the foundation for the human settlements
in the region.
The 20th anniversary of the environmental co-operation within the
Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) coincides with the Russian
Chairmanship of the BEAC Working group on Environment (WGE) in
2014-2015. During the period of twenty years, many projects to solve the
environmental challenges in Barents region have been implemented,
including projects that tackle the problems at the environmental hot
spots as well as projects on water management and the conservation of
the rich biological diversity of the region. Still, a lot has to be done
to promote sustainable and environmentally sound development of the
sensitive Barents region.
Acknowledging that climate change, pressure on natural resources,
increased environmental risks, pollution of the environment and loss of
biodiversity are the major environmental challenges in the Barents
region today, the WGE continues its efforts in five core thematic areas.
The practical work is carried out by the four thematic subgroups of
WGE. In accordance with the Ministerial Declaration from 2013, the focus
is on facilitating the implementation of relevant environmental projects
and further exclusion of environmental hot spots from the Barents list
(today the list includes 36 hot spots); dissemination of cleaner
production and best environmental practices; protection of natural
environments; water management; combating climate change.
Taking into account the fact that the Barents environmental cooperation
aims at meeting regional environmental challenges and connecting the
global environmental agenda at regional level, WGE continues to enhance
cooperation and coordination with the regional organizations in the
North and the International Financing Institutions NEFCO and NDEP, as
well as the relevant connections to global environmental processes. The
WGE focuses on giving a new momentum to the current activities under
BEAC by implementing practical measures and enhancing the engagement of
Russian regions. In 2014, the WGE meetings were hosted by the Republic
of Karelia and Arkhangelsk Oblast.
Maria Dronova, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Chair of BEAC Working Group on Environment
Maria Dronova participating in the Climate Smart workshop in St. Petersburg. Photo by Riitta Hemmi.
Barents efforts for biodiversity conservation