Arctic Council Working Group

Regional Programme of Action (RPA)

In the Iqaluit Declaration, dated September 18, 1998, Arctic Council Ministers adopted the Regional Programme of Action for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (RPA). It is the regional extension of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) (UN Environment Programme).

The GPA is designed to be a source of conceptual and practical guidance to be drawn upon by regional and national authorities in devising and implementing sustained action to prevent, reduce, control and eliminate marine degradation from land-based activities. The RPA is a dynamic programme of action that uses a step-wise approach for its development and implementation. This is to be done within the framework of integrated management of coastal zones and, where appropriate, their associated watersheds.

Since the Iqaluit Declaration, there have been many developments that affect the RPA, several of which have arisen from Arctic Council activities. For example, the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) has led to an awareness of the vulnerability of the northern environment to the effects of climate change. The Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR) stressed the importance of maintaining environmental quality as an element of a more stable and sustainable Arctic economy. The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Working Group conducted further Arctic environmental assessments in 1998 and 2002 related to heavy metals, radioactivity, hydrocarbons, human health and changing pathways in light of climate change. The Russian National Programme of Action (Russian NPA – Arctic) has also made progress in its work since its approval in 2001.

Finally, the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan developed by PAME was endorsed by the Arctic Council Ministers in 2004. This strategic plan provides a framework for the protection of the Arctic marine environment, in which the RPA is an essential component.

RPA 2009 UPDATE

The RPA recognizes the continually evolving situation in the Arctic environment and the need for an integrated approach using the experience and knowledge of all the Arctic Council Working Groups. In particular, AMAP will be invaluable in assessing and monitoring environmental changes. Concern over habitat damage and destruction is a shared responsibility with the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Working Group. Dealing with the prevention, preparedness and response to environmental emergencies from human activities and natural disasters is a related mandate of the Emergency Prevention,
Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group. In addition, the objectives for the RPA complement those of the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) and the Arctic Contaminants Action Programme (ACAP) Working Group.

RPA 1998

RPA 2009

Goals for RPA Cooperation to Protect the Arctic Marine Environment:

  • Protect Human Health;
  • Prevent and Reduce Degradation of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas;
  • Remediate Contaminated Areas;
  • Support Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Resources;
  • Maintain Biodiversity;
  • Maintain Cultural Diversity;
  • Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change;
  • Contribute to the Overall Management and Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment;
  • Encourage Compatible National Approaches to Activities Related to Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution;
  • Encourage Risk-Management Approaches to Prevent or Mitigate the Impact of Environmental Emergencies; and
  • Identify Marine Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

The objectives of the RPA are to:

  • take action individually and jointly, which will lead to the prevention, reduction, control and elimination of pollution in the Arctic marine environment and the protection of its marine habitat;
  • respond to the impacts of climate change as they relate to land-based sources of marine pollution in the Arctic;
  • identify and assess regional problems from landbased activities;
  • establish regional priorities for action as it relates to sources of land-based marine pollution;
  • strengthen regional and national capacity building; and
  • harmonize, as appropriate, and adjust measures to fit the particular env