Latest news

 Greenland/Denmark/Faroes have stepped forward alongside Finland and the US as co-leads of the Assessment.  A Chief Scientist has also been appointed - Hans Meltofte (former Bilogical leader of the Zackenberg).   

The third meeting of the Steering Committee (SC) for the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) was held on April the 16^th.  This meeting built on the steps towards identifying a chief scientist and lead authors. The next SC meeting is scheduled to be held on the 30^th of April.

The ABA Workplan and Financial Strategy was presented to the Senior Arctic Officials (SAOs) at the recent meeting in Narvík, Norway.  The Assessment was well received and the U.S. has stepped forward as a co-lead with Finland.  Denmark/Greenland are looking into how they can support the ABA. 

Canada has scientific data ready for contribution to the ABA.  The Arctic Athabaskan Council have raised funding and begun an outreach programme to engage their communities and to look at methods of data collection.  Other Permanent Participants also expressed support of the ABA

» Overview

The Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) is an innovative and important exploration of Arctic biodiversity. Its purpose is to :Synthesize and assess the status and trends of biological diversity in the Arctic

The ABA is the Arctic Councils response to the United Nations UNEP / CBD 2010 global target to halt or significantly reduce biodiversity loss.  It also responds to the Millennium Development Goal Nr.4 to ensure environmental sustainability. 

It will serve as a baseline for use in assessments of Arctic biodiversity and to inform Arctic Council work:    

• Gaps in the data record
• Main stressors
• key mechanisms driving change
• Produce recommendations
  

» Documents

The ABA Workplan and Financial Strategy (English)

The ABA Workplan and Financial Strategy (Russian)