Reception of Germany's new Arctic Policy Guidelines (2024)

In September 2024, the new German Arctic guidelines were published, which are likely to shape German Arctic policy for four to five years. This was preceded by interdepartmental coordination and a cabinet decision by the German government.1 The very title “Germany’s Arctic Policy Guidelines- Germany and the Arctic in the context of the climate crisis and the “Zeitenwende” gives an initial indication that the new guidelines are part of a series of guidelines and strategy documents updated after the “Zeitenwende,”2 not least the “National Security Strategy” from June 2023,3 which is referred to twice in the new guidelines.4 In addition to the Arctic guidelines, only two other regions are covered by the German government with their own strategy documents: China and Africa.5 This underlines the importance that the Federal Government attaches to the Arctic, even though Germany is not an Arctic state and, therefore, only has observer status in the Arctic Council (AC). The choice of the term “guidelines” instead of “strategy” reflects this idea as a form of de-prioritization of the subject matter, both internally and externally. Due to the foreseeable importance of the guidelines, the most important changes to the previous guidelines are presented first. The media, scientific, and expert perception of the new guidelines is then recorded. The focus is not on the actual behaviour of the federal government

Shipping decarbonization governance in Arctic waters: theoretic logic and implementation pathways

The accelerated decline of Arctic sea ice since the 1980s has paradoxically amplified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through increased shipping activities in this ecologically vulnerable region. This study investigates how to reconcile the decarbonization of Arctic shipping with conflicting environmental, economic, and geopolitical interests. Through systematic literature review and interest-balancing analysis, our findings identify three systemic barriers: (1) inadequate adaptation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations to Arctic-specific environmental risks, (2) fragmented enforcement mechanisms among Arctic and non Arctic States, and (3) technological limitations in clean fuel adoption for ice-class vessels. To address these challenges, a tripartite governance framework is proposed. First, legally binding amendments to International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI introducing Arctic-specific Energy Efficiency eXisting ship Index (EEXI) standards and extending energy efficiency regulations to fishing vessels. Second, a phased fuel transition prioritizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol, followed by hydrogen-ammonia synthetics. Third, enhanced multilateral cooperation through an Arctic Climate Shipping Alliance to coordinate joint research and development in cold-adapted technologies and ice-route optimization. By integrating United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) obligations with IMO Polar Code implementation, this study advances a dynamic interest-balancing framework for policymakers, offering actionable pathways to achieve Paris Agreement targets while safeguarding Arctic ecosystems

Comprehensive analysis of seismic activity on King George Island, Antarctica: insights from the September–October 2020 seismic swarm

A seismic swarm occurred southeast of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, between August 2020 and February 2021. This work intends to parameterize seismic events recorded by seismic station AM.R4DE2 from 15 September to 31 October 2020. Using the localization methodology with a single station, the record of the entire period was analyzed manually to determine the local magnitude, hypocentral distance, epicentral distance, backazimuth, and location of the epicenter for each event. We could parameterize 6362 events, although we estimate the occurrence to be around 20000 for the period. The results suggest a magmatic origin for the swarm, supporting previous studies. Seismicity exhibited a southeastward migration away from King George Island, as indicated by a progressive increase in epicentral distance over time. Most events were classified as volcanic and volcano-tectonic, supporting a magmatogenesis hypothesis linked to the opening of Bransfield Ridge

The Kingdom of Denmark's Chairship - Greenland, Faroe Islands, Denmark

An overall ambition will be to have an inclusive Chairship and to bring the work of the Arctic Council close to the peoples and citizens living in the region who must have an impact on the activities in the region, particularly on how sustainable development is interpreted and advanced. Recognizing that Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives are essential to understanding and managing changes in the Arctic, strong integration of Indigenous Knowledge alongside scientific insights in the work of the Arctic Council will be a priority. A special focus will be given to advancing sustainable development in Arctic communities and economic empowerment of Indigenous Peoples

Spatiotemporal characteristics of population structure for Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) during austral summer in Amundsen Sea

This paper was based on data collected during the 38th and 39th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expeditions in the Amundsen Sea. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns of length (total length, AT) and sexual maturity stages of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) were examined. The age structure and geographic distribution of cluster groups also were studied. The results reveal significant diurnal variations in the length and maturity stages of Antarctic krill during the morning (MRN) to morning twilight (MTW) period, with mean lengths ranging from 28.92 to 45.87 mm. Two cyclical patterns were observed. Regarding maturity stages, the krill were composed of juveniles, adult males, and adult females in increasing order of proportion, with a notably higher proportion of non-gravid females compared to gravid females, and mainly distributed in evening twilight (ETW) to dawn (DWN), MTW to day (DAY), MRN to MTW, MRN to MTW and night (NIT) to DAY periods, respectively. Significant spatial variations in krill length and maturity stages occur, with a marked regional boundary around 130°W. K-means clustering analysis of krill length identified Group I, Group II, and Group III, with dominant age classes of 3+, 0 and 3+, and 3+ to 4+, respectively. Group II was widely distributed in the surveyed waters, whereas Group I and Group III were distributed only in waters west of 130°W. The study area features a significant continental slope, where adults and gravid females were primarily distributed on its slopes and to the south. This spatial pattern also profoundly influenced the distribution of different cluster groups

Arctic Pavilion Report

The Arctic Pavilion was first created by the International Organization "Northern Forum" with the support of Andrey Melnichenko Charity Foundation and BRICS Youth Energy Agency in the "Blue" zone of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 11-22, 2024. The report was compiled to present the preparation and the key results of the Pavilion’s work to be taken into account when organizing similar sites at the subsequent conferences of the parties

5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) 2032–2033 with global inclusion

The 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) 2032–2033 is the next step with the “oldest continuous climate research program created by humanity”, which started in 1882–1883 with IPY-1 intentionally during a Solar Maximum after the “Little Ice Age” had impacted Europe across the previous four centuries. IPY-5 is a rare research opportunity to stimulate transdisciplinary initiatives with efficiencies and synergies that are relevant to all people and life on Earth pole-to-pole, across the cryosphere that includes high mountains on lands in between, connected by the atmosphere and ocean with Solar forcing across periods relevant to human survival. This editorial explores current and accelerating momentum to implement science with society across the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024–2033 with IPY-5 as a guiding light

Geomorphometry of the Bunger Hills, East Antarctica

Geomorphometric modeling and mapping of Antarctic oases are promising for obtaining new quantitative knowledge about the topography of these unique landscapes and for the further use of morphometric information in Antarctic research. Within the framework of a project to create a thematic physical-geographical scientific reference geomorphometric atlas of ice-free areas of Antarctica, we performed geomorphometric modeling and mapping of the Bunger Hills (Knox Coast, Wilkes Land, East Antarctica), one of the largest Antarctic oases. By processing a fragment of the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA) covering the Bunger Hills and adjacent glaciers, we created, for the first time, a series of 37 medium- to large-scale maps of nine of the most scientifically important morphometric variables (i.e., slope gradient, slope aspect, vertical curvature, horizontal curvature, maximal curvature, minimal curvature, catchment area, topographic wetness index, and stream power index). The morphometric maps describe the topography of the Bunger Hills in a quantitative, rigorous, and reproducible manner. New morphometric data can be useful for further geological, geomorphological, glaciological, ecological, and hydrological studies of this Antarctic oasis