Looking North: Northern England and the National Imagination (Studies in Popular Culture)

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The UK and Sweden enjoy a close relationship in science and innovation, for example collaborating closely on the transition to net zero, life sciences and space. To this end, Royal Navy ships recommenced activity in the Arctic in 2020, alongside Arctic Allies such as Denmark, Norway, and the US, including to protect the centrality and integrity of UNCLOS. The evidence indicates that effective protection of at least 30% of the global ocean will help to reverse adverse ecological impacts, preserve fish populations, increase resilience to climate change, and sustain long-term ocean health, including in the vulnerable Arctic region. The UK’s National Space Strategy, published in 2021, sets out the government’s ambitions for the UK in space, including the ambition to become a partner of choice in space activities.

Defence cooperation centres on working with a key Ally to support the security of this vital region. With more than 8,000 works by over 2,000 artists, it can be seen in exhibitions and public displays across the country and beyond. We are not an Arctic State, but as the nearest neighbour to the region, the Arctic is critical for UK interests, most notably in respect of our future climate and security. The region is home to a vibrant mix of communities and cultures, languages and traditions; a region that stretches from the remote frozen tundra and boreal forest, to vibrant cities with jobs, universities and football teams.This new framework aims to represent evolution, rather than revolution, in the UK’s approach to the Arctic. JNCC contributes technical input to the work of the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Working Group’s Circumpolar Seabird Expert Group (CBird), and the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative ( AMBI). An HFO spill would severely harm the fragile marine and coastal Arctic environment, with serious long term detrimental effects. Local Arctic air pollution can be severe and significantly exceed air quality standards, impairing public health and affecting ecosystems.

It has identified deep sea and polar exploration as one of seven ‘key scientific and technological frontier fields’ in its 14th Five Year Plan.The UK has consulted on whether to extend the ban on the commercial dealing of elephant ivory in the UK to other ivory bearing species, including narwhal and walrus. The differing descriptions of the region provide a range of between four and ten million people defined as living in the Arctic. A number of NATO Allies have sovereign territory in the High North – including Finland and Sweden whose accession to the Alliance began at the Madrid Summit in 2022.

The UK shares many interests with other non-Arctic States, including other State Observers to the Arctic Council. It outlines the full range of UK interests in the region, and sets out the long-term priorities and objectives which shape our engagement and actions on the Arctic. Amongst significant UK contributions we continue to promote and encourage the full implementation of AEWA international species action plans for relevant arctic-breeding waterbirds such as Greenland White-fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose and Bewick’s Swan. Finland is also hosting an increasing number of joint exercises with UK forces who will continue to draw on Finnish Arctic expertise.

The five Nordic Arctic states comprise half of the ten members of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force ( JEF). The UK strongly supported the decision of the seven other Arctic States to pause their engagement with the Russian Chairmanship in March 2022, pending consideration of how to continue the Council’s important work. We will look to strengthen our cooperation with our partners across Europe and the Indo-Pacific in the pursuit of our shared objectives in the Arctic. The UK has close relationships and bilateral defence co-operation agreements with the majority of Arctic States. We recognise that the growing interest in the Arctic, together with the need for wide cooperation on Arctic issues, has led to the development of a number of Arctic conferences, including the Arctic Circle Assembly, Arctic Frontiers, and Arctic Futures to name but a few.