Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response

About EPPR

The Arctic is an environmentally sensitive area with an extreme climate characterized by low temperatures, winter-time darkness, snow, ice and permafrost. Harsh conditions and the sparse and limited amount of infrastructure in much of the Arctic increase risks and impacts and hinder response activities. Actions for prevention, preparedness and response must be carefully pre-planned and adapted to the conditions and remoteness of the Arctic to maximize the use of available resources. Accordingly, international cooperation in this area is of vital importance.

EPPR meets twice a year to discuss priorities and projects identified in the work plan. EPPR Chairmanship rotates between the Arctic States every two years.

Expert Groups

Three Expert Groups are active and working to develop practical actions to improve preparedness and response to environmental and other emergencies:

• Search and Rescue Expert Group
• Marine Environmental Response Expert Group
• Radiation Expert Group

Main tasks

• Developing guidance and risk assessment methodologies
• Exchanging information and best practices regarding prevention, preparedness and response to accidents and threats from unintentional releases of pollutants and radionuclides, and to natural disasters
• Coordinating response exercises and training
• Maintaining the operational guidelines for two of the legally binding agreements negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council, agreements on Search and Rescue (SAR) and Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response (MOSPA).