This online event, hosted by University of Helsinki and British Embassy Helsinki, focusses on the interlinks between international climate change discussions and the Arctic.

As the climate discussions gather pace in the run-up for the COP26, climate change and sustainability have also emerged as major themes in the Nordic Arctic strategies. Both Norway and Sweden published their revised regional white papers in late 2020, and Finland’s updated Arctic strategy will follow soon. The Arctic has become a major icon of climate change impacts. In five decades, the Arctic has warmed three times more than the Earth’s average temperature increase, leading to major impacts to its nature and to Arctic inhabitants.

In the context of these parallel developments, this event will review the role that the Arctic plays in relation to international climate discussions and examine interlinkages between COP26 goals and the Arctic.

What is COP26?

Between 1 – 12 November 2021, the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in partnership with Italy. COP26 is critical because it’s the first moment when countries must set out more ambitious goals for ending their contribution to climate change under the Paris Agreement. The four goals for COP26 are mitigation, adaptation, finance, and enhanced collaboration.

Format: Panel discussion (hybrid format), streamed from Think Corner, Helsinki

Agenda

Opening by Mr Tom Dodd, British Ambassador to Finland (5min)

Pre-recorded video on COP26 (5-7min)

· Dr Helen Adams, Head of Science Engagement for COP26

· Lydia Sawyer, the indigenous people's agenda lead for COP26

Panel Discussion (60min)

· Prof David Thomas, Professor of Arctic Ecosystems Research,
University of Helsinki

· Nina Brander, Secretary General of the Arctic Advisory Board, Strategy Department, Prime Minister’s Office

· Tuomas Aslak Juuso, President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland

Q&A (15min)

Moderator: Stephany Buenrostro Mazon, research and communications coordinator at the Institute for Atmosphere and Earth System Research (INAR, University of Helsinki), including its Pan-European and Arctic climate change, environment and research infrastructure initiative (PEEX program).