The legal regulations on environmental issues that arise in the Arctic due to intensive exploitation of its oil and gas resources need to be explored. There are gaps in environmental regulations over the Arctic region both at international and domestic levels. For Russia, at least two basic problems can be seen in the legal norms: the absence of a coherent approach to the Arctic environmental legislation and policy, and the need to develop effective mechanisms of environmental protection in the process of the Arctic development. In recent years, the Arctic states have expanded legislation on the Arctic issues. Currently, the most effective legal instruments targeting the protection of the fragile Arctic environment have been created by the Arctic countries. The introduction of a system of integrated environmental management is the first step that should be taken. Deep scientific research should be the obligatory foundation of any Arctic project. Moreover, much attention should be paid to the analysis of biological diversity preservation schemes. Lastly, special laws are needed in Russia to ensure: the regulation, prevention, and response to pollution by oil and other containments; the protection and rational use of Arctic resources; and the conservation of the Arctic marine areas and natural landmarks. These ideas are based on a comparative analysis of the legal rules contained within the laws of Norway, Canada, and the United States.
In: Gladun , E & Ahsan , D 2016 , ' BRICS COUNTRIES' POLITICAL AND LEGAL PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA ' , B R I Cs Law Journal , vol. III , no. 3 , pp. 8-42 . https://doi.org/10.21684/2412-2343-2016-3-3-8-42
The article presents an overview and analysis of international legal regulations on climate change. The authors examine how the international regime related to climate change has evolved in multilateral agreements. A special focus is put on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities which became the basis of discord among states in discussing targets and responsibilities in climate change mitigation. The authors note that in 2015 the international climate change regime entered a new stage where the most important role is determined for developing countries, both in the legal and in the financial infrastructure, and in the formation of an international climate change policy. The importance of the participation of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) in an international climate change regime has been recognized for some time. The article describes the policy and regulations on climate-related issues in BRICS. The authors compare the key actions and measures BRICS have taken for complying with international climate change documents. They highlight that global climate change action cannot be successful without BRICS countries' involvement. BRICS must therefore make adequate efforts in emissions reduction measures and significant commitments in respect of the international climate change regime. The authors propose three major steps for BRICS to take the lead in dealing with climate change. First, BRICS need to foster further discussion and cooperation on climate issues and work out an obligatory legal framework to fight climate change collectively as well as unified legislation at their domestic levels. Second, Russia and other BRICS countries have the potential to cooperate in the field of renewable energy through the exchange of technology, investment in the sector, and the participation of their energy companies in each other's domestic market. Assuming Russia will support the development and enhancement of renewable technologies in BRICS countries, it can take a leadership position in the group. Third, in the international process of tackling climate-related issues BRICS should act as a bloc. Russia's distancing itself from its partners is considered a deficiency in strengthening the BRICS countries' role in global governance. BRICS are capable of serving as a vigorous platform in driving climate change negotiations leading to effective binding regulations in 2020–2030 and, provided that the countries cooperate successfully, BRICS will carry the combined weight of the entire group in the global arena.
In: Gladun , E , Nystén-Haarala , S & Tulaeva , S 2021 , ' Indigenous economies in the Arctic : To thrive or to survive? ' , Elementa , vol. 9 , no. 1 , 9 (1) . https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2019.00088
There is a growing interest in the Arctic natural resources that have a strong influence on the local economics. The Arctic economy is a rather unique phenomenon encompassing Indigenous practices, local economic activities, and industrial development. Indigenous economies vary across the Arctic states and exhibit divergent economic mixtures. In globalizing societies and full market economies, traditional Indigenous economies are changing and perceived especially by the non-Indigenous to be a tribute to old customs rather than a way of life that is being followed by the young generation. However, certain groups of contemporary Indigenous populations in the Arctic continue to preserve their culture and ensure the continuation of Indigenous ways of life. The development of Indigenous communities is closely linked to their economic well/being, on the other hand, and their culture and traditions on the other. Our article contributes to the discussion of the significance of Indigenous economies in providing sustainability in terms of Indigenous communities, their culture and traditions. The research objective is to identify strategies and tools that sustain Indigenous economies as well as the goals of various stakeholders in encouraging and supporting the traditional economic activities of Indigenous peoples. We contrast three countries - Russia, Finland and the United States (Alaska) - and discuss some governmental strategies that can be employed for preserving unique Indigenous economies. The research methods consist of a content analysis of state and regional legislation and strategies, social studies of stakeholders' opinion, case studies describing market infrastructure, and economic activities as well as features of traditional lifestyles and Indigenous knowledge typical of these regions ; There is a growing global interest in Arctic natural resources that have a strong influence on the localeconomies. The Arctic economy is a rather unique phenomenon encompassing Indigenous practices, localeconomic activities, and industrial development. Indigenous economies vary across the Arctic states andexhibit divergent economic mixtures. In globalizingsocieties and full market economies, traditionalIndigenous economies are changing and perceived especially by the non-Indigenous to be a tribute to oldcustoms rather than a way of life that is being followed by the young generation. However, certain groupsof the contemporary Indigenous populations in the Arctic continue to preserve their culture and ensure thecontinuation of Indigenous ways of life.The development of Indigenous communities is closely linked to theireconomic well-being, on the one hand, and to their culture and traditions, on the other. Our article contributesto the discussion on the significance of Indigenouseconomies in providing sustainability in terms ofIndigenous communities, their culture, and traditions. The research objective is to identify strategies andtools that sustain Indigenous economies as well as the goals of various stakeholders in encouraging andsupporting the traditional economic activities of Indigenous peoples. We contrast three countries—Russia,Finland, and the United States (Alaska)—and discuss some governmental strategies that can be employed forpreserving unique Indigenous economies. The research methods consist of a content analysis of state andregional legislation and strategies, social studies of stakeholders'opinions, case studies describing marketinfrastructure, and economic activities as well as features of traditional lifestyles and Indigenous knowledgetypical of these regions.
In this paper, we review existing ethical guidelines that support Circumpolar Indigenous Peoples' engagement in health research. For this study, we collated national and regional ethical guidelines addressing health research engaging with Indigenous communities. Our study found that ethical guidelines addressing Indigenous engagement in health research have emerged in Canada and the U.S.A. Currently, there are no Indigenous-specific provisions in national guidelines, or legislation concerning health research engaging Indigenous peoples, in Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, or Russia. Where guidelines exist, they show considerable variations. We conclude that guidelines are essential to ensure that research undertaken in Indigenous communities is relevant and beneficial to those communities, is conducted respectfully, and that results are appropriately contextualized and accurate. We believe that our analysis might serve as a checklist to support the development of comprehensive guidelines developed by, or at least in partnership with, Arctic Indigenous communities.
In this paper, we review existing ethical guidelines that support Circumpolar Indigenous Peoples' engagement in health research. For this study, we collated national and regional ethical guidelines addressing health research engaging with Indigenous communities. Our study found that ethical guidelines addressing Indigenous engagement in health research have emerged in Canada and the U.S.A. Currently, there are no Indigenous-specific provisions in national guidelines, or legislation concerning health research engaging Indigenous peoples, in Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, or Russia. Where guidelines exist, they show considerable variations. We conclude that guidelines are essential to ensure that research undertaken in Indigenous communities is relevant and beneficial to those communities, is conducted respectfully, and that results are appropriately contextualized and accurate. We believe that our analysis might serve as a checklist to support the development of comprehensive guidelines developed by, or at least in partnership with, Arctic Indigenous communities.
AbstractThe Arctic currently holds a prominent place in global policy. It is a sparsely populated region experiencing major consequences of global change, such as climate change, shifting demographics, and globalization. These substantial and rapid changes create both opportunities and risks for economic development. Informed policy‐making for sustainable development in the Arctic will require an understanding of the specific structures of arctic economies, with a focus on the existence of mixed economies that contain both subsistence and market aspects, the interplay among different economic systems, and the broader contexts in which they function. This paper presents a conceptual framework that allows for comparative analysis of arctic economies within their institutional, social, cultural, and environmental contexts. Utilization of the conceptual framework will enable more complete system‐level analyses by helping to describe the complex relationships among apparently disparate parts of the Arctic's diverse economic systems. The framework can be used across the social and natural sciences, practice, and policy‐making. Furthermore, this framework is applicable to regions outside of the Arctic that also have distinct mixed subsistence and market economies.