The Arctic is home to unique habitats that are severely threatened by the effects of climate change. The increasing loss of sea ice allows parts of the Arctic to be used more intensively than ever before, especially to pursue economic opportunities such as oil, gas, and mineral exploitation and commercial shipping, fishing, and tourism.

Some of these activities threaten the rights of indigenous and local communities and increase pressures on the region's ecosystems critically, whereas others might allow for sustainable local development in certain areas. Our work requires interdisciplinary research and a cross-sectoral understanding of the dynamics at hand, including the impacts of transboundary pollution, invasive species, and underwater noise as well as protection through different management tools such as marine protected areas.

Ecologic Institute provides analyses of international, regional, and national governance frameworks with relevance for the Arctic and develops recommendations to support sustainable environmental policy and governance for the region. Our experts draw particularly on their experiences of ocean and marine governance as well as on their legal expertise to cover all relevant pressures on Arctic habitats.

Ecologic Institute is also represented in national fora such as the German Arctic Dialogue. It also fosters transdisciplinary exchange, including with its Arctic Summer College for young professionals for a decade.