CAFF: Mainstreaming in Arctic Biodiversity – online Arctic Mining Panel discussions
Reported by: Minori TAKAHASHI (Hokkaido University)
Related research program: International Relations
CAFF: The Mainstreaming in Arctic Biodiversity – Online Arctic Mining Panel Discussions was held from 17-18 November 2020.
The Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Arctic Mining (MBAM) project which started in 2018 had just moved into Phase 2. In these panel discussions, the way that the project works was discussed.
On the first day, the Phase 1 report was reviewed and how CAFF could incorporate nine action plans (Conduct outreach to share challenges and suggestion, Build relationship with the Arctic mining industry by conveying dialogues, Develop outreach to the people involved, Evaluate ecological compensation, Work with Arctic Council Permanent Participants for meaningful engaging communities, Quick information sharing, Collaborate partnership efforts among companies/agencies/communities, Encourage and provide assistance for national and industry adoption of CAFF monitoring plans, Initiate pilot project (s) with mining companies to facilitate data collection) delivered from Phase 1 into Phase 2. In the second half, three breakout sessions (Industry Panel, Biodiversity/Conservation Experts, Government) were held. As the main point, reacknowledge the importance of indigenous people as stakeholders and CAFF’s important role to facilitate to work together with them who know how to sustainably utilize the Arctic land well were emphasized.
The second day consisted of review of the first day discussion, Q&A session, summarize report of the breakout sessions. In addition, the next move of the project was discussed again.
Many discussions focused on “Initiate pilot project (s) with mining companies to facilitate data collection” from the above-mentioned nine action plan. Expansion of common terms which spans the three parties of “Mining, Local communities / Indigenous peoples (organizations), and government agencies” as the main motif of Phase 2 became the keyword for discussion. By appropriately managing the knowledge possessed by each of the three parties while complementing each other’s knowledge gap, it is possible to effectively expand the part where the three parties overlap = the common term. To achieve this aim, exchange of views was held on how CAFF can effectively promote collaboration.
Lastly, it was reaffirmed that the development of an action plan and the actual implementation of it are different things, and all nine action plans need to be transformed into the implementation phase. It will be more and more necessary in the future to present the results of policy proposals rather than simply showing the results of research.