The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has participated as an Observer to the Arctic Council since 2017, engaging in high-level meetings and cooperating primarily with two Working Groups: the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) and the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME). WMO’s involvement emphasizes environmental issues, climate change, and marine safety, highlighting its role in addressing pressing concerns in the Arctic region.
The Arctic is experiencing rapid environmental changes, marked by melting ice and shifts in ecosystems. These changes not only affect global climate but also Indigenous communities and marine environments. Recognizing the need for improved monitoring and prediction capabilities, WMO advocates for enhanced weather and climate services as Arctic economic activity increases.
A key priority for WMO is advancing meteorological and oceanographic collaboration under the Arctic Council, particularly to bolster safety in maritime operations. This includes initiatives aimed at preventing maritime emergencies and facilitating preparedness and response efforts for search and rescue operations.
WMO’s strategic goals align well with addressing numerous pan-Arctic challenges. It has adopted an Earth system observation approach, focusing on the interconnection between atmospheric, hydrological, oceanic, and cryospheric changes. Through collaborative efforts, WMO seeks to bridge critical gaps in knowledge and enhance the resilience of Arctic communities against climate-related adversities.
The organization actively supports research initiatives to advance environmental prediction capabilities in polar regions, including the Polar Prediction Project (PPP) and the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP), which aims to improve observational efforts and modeling in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) plays a crucial role in various polar research efforts, collaborating with entities like AMAP to study air pollution and its climatic effects. Additionally, WMO contributes to significant climate research programs focusing on ice sheet mass balance and its impact on sea-level rise, including efforts to improve climate models utilized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
On the services front, WMO is committed to supporting the implementation of the Polar Code, providing essential meteorological and oceanographic information to assist with maritime safety and pollution response operations. It has established Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) to enhance the delivery of climate services, particularly through the Arctic Regional Climate Centre Network (ArcRCC-N), which fosters coordination among national meteorological services and supports climate resilience initiatives.
WMO has engaged in numerous collaborative workshops, most recently focusing on Arctic meteorology and interdisciplinary studies related to environmental changes in Arctic urban areas. Moreover, it has participated in Arctic Observing Summits and contributes to international efforts to enhance data systems for comprehensive monitoring.
As climate change presents unprecedented challenges to polar regions, WMO emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach with the Arctic Council to address these urgent matters. The organization’s ongoing commitment aims to strengthen partnerships within the Arctic, paving the way for sustainable solutions to the pressing issues facing this vital region.
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