Legal Responses to the Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic: Why Arctic Shipping is a Human Rights Concern

Abstract

Climate change leads to a reduction in sea ice cover, which in turn makes shipping in the Arctic ocean attractive from an economical perspective, for example cruise shipping to the transport of natural resources out of the Arctic. Increasing ship operations, however, mean an increasing likelihood of marine pollution. This in turn provides risks for Arctic indigenous communities, many of which are dependent on a clean ocean for their livelihood. This article looks at the interaction of climate change, shipping and human rights from the perspective of the rights of indigenous peoples of the Arctic.

Keywords: Arctic, Shipping, Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights

JEL Classification: K33