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iStock</figcaption><div class='mt-5 text-center'><nav class='breadcrumbs mb-2'><small><span class='breadcrumb-item'><a href='/explore/'>Our work</a></span><span class='breadcrumb-item'><a href='/explore/topics/'>Topics</a></span></small></nav><h1>Addressing Arctic pollution</h1></div></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/site/templates/scripts/lists.js"></script> <div class='submenu bg-light' id='submenu'><h5><a href='/explore/topics/'>Topics</a></h5><div class='py-1'><a href='/explore/topics/arctic-peoples/' class=''>Arctic Peoples</a></div><div class='py-1'><a href='/explore/topics/biodiversity/' class=''>Biodiversity</a></div><div class='py-1'><a href='/explore/topics/climate/' class=''>Climate</a></div><div class='py-1'><a href='/explore/topics/ocean/' class=''>Ocean</a></div><div class='py-1'><a href='/explore/topics/pollutants/' class='current'>Pollutants</a></div><div class='py-1'><a href='/explore/topics/emergency/' class=''>Emergencies</a></div></div><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><p>While most regions of the Arctic are far removed from large industrialized areas, the environment in the high North carries the traces of human-induced pollution – from soot to plastics, from methane to pesticides. To an extent, pollutants originate in the Arctic for example through wood combustion or oil and gas flaring. Yet, many contaminants are transported over long distances, traveling to the high latitudes via rivers, oceans, and the air – where they can have far reaching negative impacts on the environment and human health.</p> <p>Several of the Arctic Council’s Working Groups are closely monitoring and addressing the impacts of pollutants and contaminants on the Arctic ecosystems. Their findings have raised awareness on the serious implications of pollution in the Arctic and contributed to both national actions and international conventions.</p> <h3> </h3></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_featured bg-secondary'> <div class='container'><div class='p-0 breakout'> <div class='row align-items-end'> <div class='col-xl-4 offset-xl-2 p-5 text-xl-right'><h5>Featured</h5><a href='/explore/topics/ocean/plastics/' class='h3 accent'>Plastics in the Arctic</a> <p>Back in sight, back in mind</p> </div> <div class='col-xl-6 bg-image featured' style='background-image:url(/site/assets/files/4517/pame_litter.600x300.jpg)' title=''> <a href='/explore/topics/ocean/plastics/' class='w-100 h-100 d-block'></a> </div> </div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><h3>Persistent organic pollutants (POPS) and mercury</h3> <p>Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals of global concern because they can potentially be transported over long distances, remain in the environment, accumulate in ecosystems, and have significant negative effects on human health and the environment. Humans are exposed to these chemicals in a variety of ways, mainly through contaminated food and polluted air. Many everyday products can contain POPs, such as flame retardants or detergents. As a result, POPs can be found virtually everywhere on the planet in measurable concentrations.</p> <p>Since its establishment in 1991, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) has documented the extent and effects of pollution in the Arctic and tracked new developments in order to inform policy decisions. Its assessments have contributed significantly to the negotiation of international agreements, such as the ‘UN ECE’s Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants’ and the ‘Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants’.</p> <p>The Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) assesses the emissions of POPs in local factories, develops inventories of emission sources, and promotes the decrease of pollution with local authorities, businesses, trade organizations and environmental stakeholders.</p> <h3> </h3></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_featured bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/contaminant-issues-pops-and-mercury/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/5550/istock-1206825923.480x480.jpg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Contaminant issues: POPs and mercury</h5> </div> </div></a></div><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/inventory-of-uses-of-pops-and-mercury-and-their-emission-sources-in-murmansk-region/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/2901/map_background-01-01.480x480.png)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Inventory of uses of POPs and Mercury and their Emission Sources in Murmansk Region</h5> </div> </div></a></div><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/arcrisk-mercury-risk-evaluation-risk-management-and-risk-reduction-measures-in-the-arctic/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/7269/shutterstock_500154259.480x480.jpg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>ARCRISK – Mercury Risk Evaluation, Risk Management, and Risk Reduction Measures in the Arctic</h5> </div> </div></a></div><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/addressing-contaminants-and-human-health-issues/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/2901/map_background-01-01.480x480.png)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Addressing Contaminants and Human Health Issues</h5> </div> </div></a></div></div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><h3>Black carbon and methane</h3> <p>The short-lived climate pollutants black carbon and methane are contributing to atmospheric warming. In addition, black carbon that falls on snow and ice accelerates the melting of these reflective surfaces and consequently global warming. Black carbon and methane emissions also contribute directly to air pollution that harms human health.</p> <p>Due to their proximity to the Arctic, Arctic States are uniquely positioned to slow Arctic warming caused by emissions of black carbon: despite generating just ten percent of global black carbon emissions, Arctic States are responsible for 30 percent of black carbon’s warming effects in the Arctic.</p> <p>AMAP has monitored black carbon and methane emissions and reported on their effects as Arctic climate forcers. Based on AMAP’s findings, ACAP has developed pilot projects that build capacity and demonstrate emission reduction activities. These projects are aimed at encouraging national actions to reduce emissions and releases of these pollutants.</p> <p>The Council’s Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane in turn has been tasked by the Arctic States to develop a biennial “Summary of Progress and Recommendations” based on the national reports and other relevant information. These reports contain recommendations for an aspirational collective goal on black carbon.</p></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_featured bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/mitigation-of-black-carbon-and-methane-emissions-from-apg-flaring-in-the-arctic-zone-of-the-russian-federation/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/5786/ik5ditfg_1110x410.480x480.jpeg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Mitigation of black carbon and methane emissions from APG flaring in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation</h5> </div> </div></a></div><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/arctic-black-carbon-case-studies-platform/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/3690/istock-473633322.480x480.jpg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Arctic Black Carbon Case Studies Platform</h5> </div> </div></a></div></div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><h3>Marine Litter and waste management</h3> <p>Over the past years, marine litter has emerged as one of the most pervasive problems affecting the marine environment globally. The Arctic is no exception.</p></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_featured bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/regional-action-plan-on-marine-litter/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/3711/pame_litter.480x480.jpg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter: Implementation</h5> </div> </div></a></div><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/arctic-marine-microplastics-and-litter/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/4464/istock-1044899528_sodar99.480x480.jpg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Arctic Marine Microplastics and Litter</h5> </div> </div></a></div><div class='col-md'><a href='/projects/solid-waste-management-in-small-arctic-communities/' class='block-feature-partial bg-gradient'> <div class='featured bg-dark bg-image bg-zoom' style='background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(51,48,50,.9) 0%, rgba(51,48,50,.8) 30%, rgba(51,48,50,.1) 60%), url(/site/assets/files/4625/waste_management.480x480.jpeg)'><div class='p-4'><h5>Solid Waste Management in Remote Arctic Communities</h5> </div> </div></a></div></div></div></section><section class='block block_pubthumbs bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><h3><a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/collections/38c52f07-7e29-4a15-9d8e-b5f0c6b2eae1'>Featured publications</a></h3><div class='row'><div class='col-6 col-md-2'> <a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/9740be6e-5b87-4775-a564-b00c39739a70' class='d-block'> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/ea98e15f-2c15-4a34-aee6-f4055ed66a5f/content' class='border w-100' alt='thumb'> </a> <small>Black Carbon from the Oil and Gas Sector</small> </div><div class='col-6 col-md-2'> <a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/748b2cf7-3f0d-46aa-9e96-541a09d8fb88' class='d-block'> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/caa54c4e-003e-42f6-89bb-f4f46f8d73a0/content' class='border w-100' alt='thumb'> </a> <small>POPs And Chemicals of Emerging Arctic Concern - Summary for Policymakers</small> </div><div class='col-6 col-md-2'> <a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/8d05d97d-5c43-460a-8579-f3b6cb09aa7f' class='d-block'> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/16c4477b-6b7a-48a0-9f37-1320343ca9dc/content' class='border w-100' alt='thumb'> </a> <small>Overview of AMAP Initiatives for Monitoring and Assessment of Plastic Pollution in the Arctic</small> </div><div class='col-6 col-md-2'> <a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/63a9442e-eb5a-4a3c-84e3-30e909c28316' class='d-block'> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/618a691c-3e07-4412-bd7f-c82ce89476ab/content' class='border w-100' alt='thumb'> </a> <small>AMAP Litter and Microplastics Monitoring Plan</small> </div><div class='col-6 col-md-2'> <a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/65144a0f-ce28-4628-b93d-bea4d7e9b485' class='d-block'> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/c9a06565-bb4a-43f8-bd70-4c6583c89b28/content' class='border w-100' alt='thumb'> </a> <small>2021 AMAP Mercury Assessment - Summary for Policymakers</small> </div><div class='col-6 col-md-2'> <a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/6993176b-7da7-4d2d-9e77-e02b58e833da' class='d-block'> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/26f30293-2d56-458a-a8a4-720543c41016/content' class='border w-100' alt='thumb'> </a> <small>Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane - 3rd Summary of Progress and Recommendations</small> </div></div></div></section><section class='block block_news bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><h3>News</h3><div class='row mb-5 '> <div class='col-md-4 pr-2'><a href='https://arctic-council.org/news/6-facts-about-pfas-and-arctic-councils-efforts-to-address-threats-posed-by-them/' class='point-tr'><picture> <source srcset='/site/assets/files/12825/fire_afff_shutterstock.480x350.webp' type='image/webp'> <source srcset='/site/assets/files/12825/fire_afff_shutterstock.480x350.png' type='image/jpeg'><img src='/site/assets/files/12825/fire_afff_shutterstock.480x350.png' class='img-fluid' alt='' title=' © Shutterstock' loading='lazy' /></picture></a></div> <div class ='col-md-8 px-4'> <h4><a href='https://arctic-council.org/news/6-facts-about-pfas-and-arctic-councils-efforts-to-address-threats-posed-by-them/'>6 facts about PFAS and Arctic Council efforts to address threats posed by them</a></h4><div class='small text-muted mt-2'>05 Jul 2024</div> </div> </div><div class='row mb-5 '> <div class='col-md-4 pr-2'><a href='https://arctic-council.org/news/changing-tides-of-arctic-shipping-how-new-fuels-impact-the-arctic/' class='point-tr'><picture> <source srcset='/site/assets/files/12709/low_sulphur_fuels_header.480x350.webp' type='image/webp'> <source srcset='/site/assets/files/12709/low_sulphur_fuels_header.480x350.png' type='image/jpeg'><img src='/site/assets/files/12709/low_sulphur_fuels_header.480x350.png' class='img-fluid' alt='' title=' © iStock' loading='lazy' /></picture></a></div> <div class ='col-md-8 px-4'> <h4><a href='https://arctic-council.org/news/changing-tides-of-arctic-shipping-how-new-fuels-impact-the-arctic/'>The changing tides of Arctic shipping: how new fuels impact the Arctic</a></h4>The Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) ban in Arctic waters comes into effect 1 July 2024.However, new fuels in use because of tightening regulations could have a far worse environment...<div class='small text-muted mt-2'>01 Jul 2024</div> </div> </div><div class='row mb-5 '> <div class='col-md-4 pr-2'><a href='https://arctic-council.org/news/interview-with-guri-storaas-egbcm-chair/' class='point-tr'><picture> <source srcset='/site/assets/files/12165/ingrid-martinussen-norwegian_forest-unsplash.480x350.webp' type='image/webp'> <source srcset='/site/assets/files/12165/ingrid-martinussen-norwegian_forest-unsplash.480x350.jpg' type='image/jpeg'><img src='/site/assets/files/12165/ingrid-martinussen-norwegian_forest-unsplash.480x350.jpg' class='img-fluid' alt='' title=' © Photo by Ingrid Martinussen on Unsplash' loading='lazy' /></picture></a></div> <div class ='col-md-8 px-4'> <h4><a href='https://arctic-council.org/news/interview-with-guri-storaas-egbcm-chair/'>Interview with Guri Storaas, EGBCM Chair</a></h4>Guri Storaas is Deputy Director General at the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment and Chair of the Arctic Council’s Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane (E...<div class='small text-muted mt-2'>25 Mar 2024</div> </div> </div><a href='/news/pollutants' class='btn btn-primary mb-5 seeall'>See all</a></div></section> <script> var options = { valueNames: [ 'acronym', 'full' ] }; var projectList = new List('acronymList', options); </script> </main> <footer class="bg-dark"> <section class='block block_social bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent'><h3>Follow the Arctic Council</h3><div class='social'><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://twitter.com/arcticcouncil'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-twitter h3' title='twitter'></i> <span class='mr-4'>twitter<span> </a> </div></div><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a 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href="https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/">Key documents</a></h5> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/1916">Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation (2017)</a></p> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/529">Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013)</a></p> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/531">Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic (2011)</a></p> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/85">Ottawa Declaration (1996)</a></p></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent p-4 depth1'> <div class=''></div> <div class='listContainer list-about plain'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/'>Arctic States</a> <p class='list-summary'>The eight Arctic states are permanent members of the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/'>Permanent Participants</a> <p class='list-summary'>Out of a total of 4 million inhabitants of the Arctic, approximately 500,000 belong to Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples’ organizations have been granted Permanent Participants status in the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/working-groups/'>Working Groups</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Council's activities are conducted in six Working Groups.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/task-expert/'>Task forces and expert groups</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/observers/'>Observers</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/secretariat/'>Arctic Council Secretariat</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic Council Secretariat (ACS) supports the Chair of the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/indigenous-peoples-secretariat/'>Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat (IPS) provides support for the Permanent Participants, the groups representing Arctic Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/norway-chair-2/'>Norway's Chairship, 2023-2025</a> <p class='list-summary'>Stability and constructive cooperation in the Arctic</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/previous-chairmanships/'>All Chairmanships</a> <p class='list-summary'>All Arctic Council Chairmanships, meetings and documents.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/timeline/'>History</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic Council turned 25 in 2021! Learn more with this timeline of our history.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/jobs/'>Jobs</a> </div> </div></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent p-4 depth1'> <div class=''></div> <div class='listContainer list-work plain'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/cooperation/'>Agreements and cooperation</a> <p class='list-summary'>The establishment of the Arctic Council was considered an important milestone enhancing cooperation in the circumpolar North. In the Ottawa Declaration, the eight Arctic States established the Council as a high-level forum to provide means for promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States – including the full consultation and full involvement of Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/arctic-knowledge/'>Data and knowledge</a> <p class='list-summary'>At any given time the Council’s subsidiary bodies – the Working and Expert Groups – are engaged in close to 100 projects and initiatives.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/monitoring/'>Monitoring</a> <p class='list-summary'>As the Arctic continues to experience a period of intense and accelerating change it has become increasingly important to have better information on the status and trends of the Arctic environment.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/assessments/'>Assessments</a> <p class='list-summary'>Through the ever-growing body of assessments produced by its six Working Groups, the Arctic Council serves as knowledge broker and global advocate for Arctic topics. The Working Groups’ assessments have been instrumental in bringing Arctic issues to a global arena through policy recommendations and international cooperation.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/policy-recommendations/'>Recommendations</a> <p class='list-summary'>The strong knowledge base produced by the Arctic Council’s Working Groups and other subsidiary bodies feeds into recommendations for informed decision-making.</p> </div> </div></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent p-4 depth1'> <div class=''></div> <div class='listContainer list-topics plain'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/arctic-peoples/'>Arctic Peoples</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic is home to almost four million people today – Indigenous people, more recent arrivals, hunters and herders living on the land, and city dwellers.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/biodiversity/'>Biodiversity</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic is home to more than 21,000 known species of highly cold-adapted mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, plants and fungi and microbes.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/climate/'>Climate</a> <p class='list-summary'>The temperatures in the Arctic continue to rise at three times the global annual average.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/ocean/'>Ocean</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic States hold a responsibility to safeguard the future development of the region and to develop models for stewardship of the marine environment.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/pollutants/'>Pollutants</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic environment carries the traces of human-induced pollution – from soot to plastics, from methane to pesticides.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/emergency/'>Emergencies</a> <p class='list-summary'>Harsh conditions and limited infrastructure in much of the Arctic increase risks and impacts and hinder response activities.</p> </div> </div></div> </div></div></div></div></section><section class='block block_code bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class="text-center"> <small> © <script type="text/javascript">document.write(new Date().getFullYear());</script> Arctic Council Secretariat | <a href="/privacy-policy/">Privacy policy and disclaimers</a> </small> </div></div></section> </footer>  <div class="bg-secondary p-3 cookie-banner" style="display: none"> We use cookies to save your language preference and better understand how visitors use the site. 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