The White House today announced the release of a new National Strategy for the Arctic Region, saying that the United States “seeks an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and cooperative” and that the National Strategy “seeks to position the United States to both effectively compete and manage tensions.”
An update to the 2013 version, the National Strategy focuses on pillars related to security, climate change and environmental protection, sustainable economic development, and international cooperation and governance. Actions under the National Strategy are to be guided by principles focused on consultation, coordination, and co-management with Alaska Native tribes and communities, deepening relationships with allies and partners, planning for long lead-time investments, cultivating cross-sectoral coalitions and innovative ideas, and committing to a whole of government, evidence-based approach.
As to climate change and environmental protection, the National Strategy commits to partnering with Alaska communities and the State of Alaska to build climate change resiliency, reduce emissions in the Arctic, improve scientific understanding, and conserve Arctic ecosystems, including through protection of habitats like forests, tundra, and coastal marshes that store carbon and using an ecosystem-based approach to management. The National Strategy notes that conservation in the Arctic is consistent with the administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
The National Strategy also notes that the Alaskan economy “still depends heavily on revenue from hydrocarbon development,” and that the U.S. government will work with the State of Alaska to “support efforts to diversify its economy; create a just energy transition, including for impacted workers; and ensure energy security and affordability during this transition.”
