Actions for Arctic biodiversity: An Interview with CAFF Chair Inge Thaulow

Could you briefly speak about your background and your work with CAFF over the years?

I’ve been involved in CAFF for almost 20 years and actually, my first CAFF meeting was as CAFF Chair back in 2006! I was new to the Arctic Council at the time but had a background in biology and always had a deep interest in Arctic issues, and had been working for the Government of Greenland since 2002. Back at my first CAFF meeting, the seminal Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) had just been published and we had a lot of important follow up to that report. The report really highlighted the limitations of existing biodiversity monitoring in the Arctic and called for a more systematic approach to circumpolar monitoring. It was a really important finding that led CAFF to develop the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP) an international network of monitoring professionals and organizations working to harmonize and integrate efforts to monitor Arctic biodiversity. I’m proud to say that the Kingdom of Denmark currently co-leads this project with the U.S., and it continues to collect and produce knowledge that helps us understand how wildlife and ecosystems in the Arctic are changing. Another key development under that first Chairship was the agreement to produce the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA), where the Kingdom of Denmark secured support for the chief scientist to guide this work, eventually published in 2013. That report also provided the Arctic Council a series of important findings and policy recommendations to react to, which helped form the structure of CAFF work over the past 10 years, detailed in the Actions for Arctic Biodiversity 2013-2023, CAFF’s long-term strategic plan. Many of our important projects and activities can be traced directly back to the ABA.

What inspires you about CAFF’s work?

So much! I have to say the people are the first and foremost in my mind when I think about CAFF. We’ve had fantastic Board members over the years, and have been blessed to work with top experts in their fields; scientists, ecologists, hunters, Indigenous Knowledge holders, managers, and more. The unique approach of the Arctic Council is also very important to me, that States and Permanent Participants sit at the same table to shape the work and outcomes of the Council. This is very distinctive, and globally is unmatched. Over the years CAFF’s cooperation with Observers has grown and deepened, so that we are more global in reach, which is especially important for addressing concerns around migratory species. It is the collaboration across borders, disciplines and backgrounds that makes CAFF very inspiring. We are pleased to be supported by the CAFF Secretariat, which has always been staffed by dedicated and hardworking colleagues.

As everyone who has ever been to the Arctic knows, the Arctic is unique. It is full of vibrant, resilient life that is found nowhere else in the world. Many specialized species live here and we have a responsibility for their continued existence, which—in addition to intrinsic value—offer benefit, well-being and livelihood for those living in the Arctic. Arctic ecosystems are also different to many other more biodiverse regions of the world. When an Arctic species is removed from the ecosystem, or their role diminishes somehow, there are fewer species to take over that function, so small changes can have cascading effects throughout the entire system. Every Arctic species counts, so even while the Arctic is a resilient system, it can experience surprising changes that are hard to predict. We know the issues facing biodiversity are complex and interacting, but decisive action taken now can help sustain biodiversity and peoples.

Could you provide us with an overview of what CAFF is currently working on / some of CAFF’s main priorities at the moment?

I am pleased to say we have just had agreement at the September 2024 CAFF Management Board meeting on a path forward to develop the next phase of the Actions for Arctic Biodiversity, this time taking us from 2025-2035. Importantly, the new strategic plan will align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while keeping the unique characteristics and circumstances of the Arctic foremost in mind. I am excited for this agreement and look forward to some busy months to chart this path forward to steer CAFF and the Arctic Council to act to support biodiversity now and in the years ahead.

Of course, CAFF remains incredibly supportive of the CBMP, which is CAFF’s cornerstone programme, and a key project that helps the Kingdom of Denmark achieve its priorities: oceans; knowledge building; engagement; and strengthening CAFF.

Which CAFF deliverables are you expecting to present at the end of the Norwegian Chairship?

CAFF intends to deliver the Actions for Arctic Biodiversity 2025-2035 and a final report on the ArcticFIRE project led by Gwich’in Council International, and in cooperation with PAME, CAFF will also deliver a report on the Marine Invasive Alien Species project which will improve understanding on the risk of potential transfer of alien invasive species by ships via ballast water and biofouling into and within Arctic waters and will compile a list of known non-indigenous species, including their current distributions, in Arctic waters; a report on the approach and use of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures in the Arctic Marine Environment, which will provide an overview of the current range and understanding of international and national criteria used for identification and application of OECMs in the Arctic, including a chapter led by Permanent Participants; and Information Briefs on the Arctic Marine Environment Under Change on the topics of ecological connectivity in the Arctic Ocean, and invasive alien species.