Strengthening pan-Arctic, global policy responses to Arctic climate change

Recommended Policy Actions for Enhanced Permafrost Thaw & Boreal Wildland Fire Adaptation and Mitigation

Rising temperatures and climate hazards are catalyzing irreversible changes to the Arctic landscape and communities across the Circumpolar North. Among the most dangerous phenomena is thawing permafrost, i.e., continuously frozen ground that underlies roughly 15% of the exposed land surface in the Northern Hemisphere. As permafrost thaws, it destabilizes critical infrastructure, destroying homes, schools, roads, and public utilities. Thaw-induced ground collapse and compounding natural disturbances, including wildfires across the boreal region, can also catalyze flooding and land degradation.

Moreover, permafrost contains an estimated 1.5 trillion tons of carbon, or roughly twice as much carbon as is currently in the Earth’s atmosphere; without aggressive, near-term climate mitigation, resulting greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide and methane) from permafrost may be on par with the highest-emitting countries. Avoiding the worst emissions scenarios and addressing impacts of permafrost thaw requires urgent responses from global policymakers in collaboration with Arctic communities, scientific experts, youth leaders, and innovators in both the public and private sectors.