Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME)
Encyclopedia
The Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group (PAME) is a subdvision of the Arctic Council
. It is one of the six working groups that currently comprises the Council.
PAME was founded as part of the 1991 Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy
and its work continued by the 1996 Ottawa Charter that also established the Arctic Council. PAME's headquarters are located in Akureyri
, Iceland
.
PAME deals with all Arctic Council activities that are related to the sustainable development of the Arctic region and the protection of the environment. It monitors the evolution of global and regional policies concerning the Arctic and the growth of traffic in the region. Where necessary, it makes recommendations for improvements. PAME works on projects that are approved every two years by the Arctic Council. These currently include polar action programmes and guidelines to make companies and nations worldwide aware of the possible consequences of their land or sea-based activities on the vulnerable Arctic marine environment.
In 2009 the working group released a major report on Arctic marine shipping, the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, which analyses current and future trends in Arctic transport. PAME was asked to conduct this research after the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
had concluded that "Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine transport and access to resources".
PAME's current objectives were outlined in a 2009 meeting:
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.- History of the Arctic Council :...
. It is one of the six working groups that currently comprises the Council.
PAME was founded as part of the 1991 Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy
Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy
The Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy is a multilateral, non-binding agreement among Arctic states aimed at Arctic environment protection. Discussions began in 1989, with the AEPS adopted in June 1991 by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the USSR, and the United States...
and its work continued by the 1996 Ottawa Charter that also established the Arctic Council. PAME's headquarters are located in Akureyri
Akureyri
Akureyri is a town in northern Iceland. It is Iceland's second largest urban area and fourth largest municipality ....
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
PAME deals with all Arctic Council activities that are related to the sustainable development of the Arctic region and the protection of the environment. It monitors the evolution of global and regional policies concerning the Arctic and the growth of traffic in the region. Where necessary, it makes recommendations for improvements. PAME works on projects that are approved every two years by the Arctic Council. These currently include polar action programmes and guidelines to make companies and nations worldwide aware of the possible consequences of their land or sea-based activities on the vulnerable Arctic marine environment.
In 2009 the working group released a major report on Arctic marine shipping, the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, which analyses current and future trends in Arctic transport. PAME was asked to conduct this research after the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment is a study describing the ongoing climate change in the Arctic and its consequences: rising temperatures, loss of sea ice, unprecedented melting of the Greenland ice sheet, and many impacts on ecosystems, animals, and people...
had concluded that "Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine transport and access to resources".
PAME's current objectives were outlined in a 2009 meeting:
- Improve knowledge and respond to emerging knowledge of the Arctic Marine Environment.
- Determine the adequacy of applicable international/regional commitments and promote their implementation and compliance.
- Facilitate partnerships, programme and technical cooperation and support communication, reporting and outreach both within and outside the Arctic Council.
See also
- Arctic Climate Impact AssessmentArctic Climate Impact AssessmentThe Arctic Climate Impact Assessment is a study describing the ongoing climate change in the Arctic and its consequences: rising temperatures, loss of sea ice, unprecedented melting of the Greenland ice sheet, and many impacts on ecosystems, animals, and people...
- International Arctic Science CommitteeInternational Arctic Science CommitteeThe International Arctic Science Committee is a non-governmental organization which is composed of international science groups participating in arctic science research. IASC is an International Scientific Associate of ICSU, and was established in 1990...
- United Nations Environment ProgrammeUnited Nations Environment ProgrammeThe United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
- Ilulissat DeclarationIlulissat DeclarationThe Ilulissat Declaration was announced on May 28, 2008 by five Arctic circumpolar nations meeting at the political level during the Arctic Ocean Conference in Ilulissat, Greenland to discuss the Arctic ocean, climate change, the protection of the marine environment, maritime safety, and division...
- Arctic Cooperation and PoliticsArctic Cooperation and PoliticsArctic cooperation and politics are partially coordinated via the Arctic Council, composed of the eight Arctic nations of the United States of America, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Denmark with Greenland and The Faroe Islands...