Editorial: EPIS Report on Climate Policy & Environment -Issue II

Editorial

Dear reader,

if you thought you could cool down in this report by moving north in the geographical area, let me tell you straight away: you are very wrong. We are very far from being cool up there. The Arctic region is what we are devoting this report to—not only because it offers compelling insights into geopolitical conflicts and the ongoing struggles over shipping routes and resources, but because it has long been overlooked.

This report begins with Leif Sieben’s Warm Introduction, which sets the stage by tracing the historical entanglements and emerging rivalries in the Arctic. From there, Rebecca Quaranta’s piece on indigenous sovereignty pushes us to rethink whose Arctic we are really talking about. Alice Hill and Priyanka Mahat’s article on Arctic resilience takes a closer look at the physical consequences of climate change in the region—from thawing permafrost and eroding coastlines to infrastructure collapse and climate displacement. In Katharina Schwär’s commentary on the Northern Sea Route, we are confronted with a critical paradox: the shipping shortcut is only becoming viable because the climate crisis is melting the Arctic ice. Marion Cordebart examines the clashing Arctic ambitions of Russia and China. In one corner, Russia bets on fossil-fueled sovereignty. In the other, China projects green leadership while quietly investing in carbon-heavy infrastructure. Finally, to gain a political perspective, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, in an interview, gives us insight into how European policymakers are navigating the climate crisis.

The Arctic is heating up—politically, economically, and literally. We hope this collection of perspectives not only informs but challenges you to rethink this rapidly transforming region. The future of the Arctic is not just about ice and oil. It is about who gets to shape that future—and how.

Warm regards,

Karla Lamesic