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Arctic Connections: Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework

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Arctic Connections: Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework Arctic Connections Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework 1 Contents Ministerial Foreword 3 Climate Change, Environment and Clean Energy 28 Scotland Looks North 4 Just transition and climate justice 29 Marine pollution and biodiversity 29 Scottish-Arctic journeys: A people’s history 5 Forest management 32 Scottish-Arctic cooperation and the European Union 6 Renewable energy and decarbonisation: Economic benefits 32 A European gateway to the Arctic 9 Marine energy 33 Education, Research and Innovation 10 Hydrogen 33 Community and local energy 34 Arctic research and international collaborations 11 Decarbonisation of transport 35 Student and staff mobility 13 Innovation 14 Sustainable Economic Development 36 Education in sparsely populated areas 15 Trade and investment links 37 Cultural Ties 16 Shipping and ports 38 Oil and gas 38 A Scottish-Arctic laboratory for cultural policies 17 Sea fisheries 39 Promoting and protecting indigenous languages 18 Aquaculture 39 Creative industries: Connecting tradition with innovation 19 International connectivity and datacentres 40 Historic and natural environment 19 Space industry 40 Sustainable tourism 20 Land and marine planning 40 Rural Connections 22 Scotland’s Offer to the Arctic 42 Rural development and entrepreneurship 23 Endnotes 44 Community regeneration 23 Place-making, design and housing 24 Young and rural: A Scottish-Arctic dialogue 25 Health and wellbeing in rural communities 25 Connectivity 26 Fuel poverty 27 An island-proofed future 27 Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework 3 Ministerial Foreword For centuries, Scotland and the Arctic have enjoyed By building a new platform for policy and knowledge close links that have had a lasting impact on our exchange, the Scottish Government intends to cultural, economic and social fabric. While most strengthen the foundations of a long-standing visible in our northernmost areas, these bonds two-way discussion with its Arctic partners. We want are evident across the country and lie at the heart to share Scottish expertise while underlining our desire of our valued relationship with Arctic states. Scotland to learn from others. This document is intended for is among the Arctic region’s closest neighbours; both our international partners and Scotland-based we share many features and outlooks and have organisations, who we encourage to look north for long looked to each other for inspiration, solutions new collaborations and opportunities. and ideas. With climate change posing a devastating threat to To this day, connections forged through history the wellbeing of the Arctic region and of our planet, continue to spur new academic partnerships, trade the need for closer ties has never been greater. These exchanges, artistic projects and joint cooperation challenges cannot be tackled in isolation but can only improving our daily lives. Enabled by new technologies, be addressed if countries come together to confront a deep understanding of Scottish-Arctic similarities them. For this reason, while promoting neighbourly has led to rich collaborations across a range of areas, engagement with the Arctic, we also appeal to the from improving connectivity and invigorating rural wider international community to increase collective economies, to making sustainable use of marine action, accelerate decarbonisation and jointly build resources and cultivating cultural heritage. a sustainable future for all. At a time when the Arctic is the focus of mounting The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union geopolitical attention, this framework puts people puts our international partnerships, including with back at the heart of Scottish-Arctic dialogue. It reflects Arctic countries, at risk. We are determined to protect on common challenges, sets out Scottish expertise Scotland’s reputation as an open and outward looking that is relevant to Arctic issues and encourages nation and we are re-doubling our efforts at promoting greater mutual learning with a view to improving Scotland as a good global citizen. the resilience and wellbeing of our communities. Focusing on the many areas in which the Scottish The development of this policy framework is the result Government has devolved responsibilities, of a journey during which we have consulted widely and this framework aims to serve as a prospectus reached out to Scotland’s civic society. The publication for even closer Scottish-Arctic cooperation. of this document does not mean that we have reached our destination. It is an important milestone in the journey towards consolidating Scotland’s position as a European gateway to the Arctic and establishing it as the international partner of choice for both our Arctic neighbours and other like-minded countries that are interested in working with us on addressing By building a new platform common challenges. for policy and knowledge exchange, the Scottish Government intends to strengthen the foundations of a long-standing Fiona Hyslop MSP Cabinet Secretary two-way discussion for Culture, Tourism with its Arctic partners.” and External Affairs Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework Scotland Looks North Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework 5 Scotland Looks North Scotland’s northernmost islands are closer to the Arctic Circle than they are to London. Defining the Arctic Connections between Scotland and the Arctic, however, go much further than geographical While widely considered as a distinct region, proximity. Our communities share deep cultural there is no universally agreed definition and social links as well as similar challenges of the Arctic. The most frequently adopted and outlooks. Arctic countries represent definition places the Arctic Circle line at important trading partners for Scotland 66° 33’ 44” North latitude, which marks the and we have long worked together through point at which the sun does not set on the European Union (EU) programmes. summer solstice or rise on the winter solstice. Another widespread definition identifies the As a good global citizen and a trusted neighbour, Arctic as the area within the 10 degree July Scotland is ready to build bridges that can isotherm, where the temperature does not reinforce our role as a European gateway rise above 10 degrees in the summer. Others to the Arctic while encouraging a peaceful point to the area within the Arctic tree line, and well-governed future for the region. the northern limit for tree growth. The Arctic Council consists of eight countries with land areas north of the Arctic Circle: Norway, Scottish-Arctic journeys: Sweden, Denmark (with the Faroe Islands and A people’s history Greenland), Iceland, Finland, Russia, the United Cooperation between Scotland and Arctic nations States of America and Canada. These will be dates back centuries. Our northernmost archipelagos collectively addressed as “Arctic countries.” were part of the Norwegian-Danish Kingdom until the end of the fifteenth century. Shetlandic and Orcadian dialects are still replete with Norse John Rae was an Orcadian and, like many of his words and Norn – a Germanic language bearing fellow islanders, was employed by the Hudson’s Bay a strong resemblance to Faroese, Icelandic and company. He was well known for the care he took to Norwegian – was widely used in the north of our take account of the views of indigenous communities, country before being slowly replaced by Scots. which was not always the case amongst his European contemporaries. At the turn of the Nineteenth The origin of many town names in the Highlands century, three-quarters of the company’s workforce and Islands can still be tracked back to Nordic originated from Orkney. The North West Company, roots. Similarly, Arctic toponymy has many locations headquartered in Montreal, was also formed and named after Scots who voyaged through the region. largely run by Scots. Scotland has a proud tradition of Arctic explorers. In 1854, by tracing the final link of the Northwest Together with Loch Ewe and the Clyde, Orkney Passage, John Rae changed the history of the also served as the departure point for Arctic convoys North American Arctic, charting a commercial that, braving heavy bombardments, transported food sea route that many before him had failed to uncover. and other crucial supplies to the North of Russia A few years earlier, Aberdeenshire-born Thomas during the Second World War. Likewise, the Shetland Abernethy had distinguished himself as a valiant Bus – a clandestine special operations fleet of fishing polar explorer, earning a total of five Arctic medals. boats and submarine chasers – ferried agents, refugees, ammunition and radios between Shetland and German-occupied Norway. Scotland’s northernmost islands are closer to the Arctic Circle than they are to London.” Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework 6 Scotland Looks North Substantial west-bound Scottish emigration has created lasting connections with Canada Scottish expeditions to the Arctic region are and the United States. In the 2016 census, far from being a thing of the past. The Polar 4.7 million Canadians reported themselves to be of Academy charity works closely with Scotland’s Scottish origin. People of Scottish descent made up secondary schools to train “invisible” students 14.8% of respondents in the Northwest Territories, with low self-esteem for a life-changing 23.3% in Yukon and 9.2% in Nunavut. The Scottish expedition in Eastern Greenland that diaspora remains active in the celebration of their helps young people boost their confidence. heritage as Highland Games, Burns Suppers Scotland-based scientists and artists pay and St Andrew’s Day celebrations occur widely frequent visits to the Arctic, strengthening across both Canada and the United States. our reputation for academic and cultural excellence. The Scottish Arctic Club has been active for more than 40 years and its Scotland has also been the end point of countless members have travelled extensively across journeys made in the opposite direction. As an the region. The Club provides support to open nation that appreciates the importance of young people who wish to explore the Arctic multiculturalism and diversity, Scotland has welcomed for educational, scientific or artistic purposes.
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