Defining the risk potential for emergencies due to nuclear/radiological material and activities that pose a threat in the Arctic
The goal of this project was to develop a consensus report identifying radiological/nuclear materials and activities that may impact the Arctic within the next 10 years, and the risks associated with these potential emergency initiating scenarios. To achieve this goal a questionnaire and interviews were used to solicit expert opinions from all Arctic States through their EPPR Radiation Expert Group representatives, related to the risk associated with each initiating scenario as they see it in their respective countries. Thus, due to the nature of the qualitative analysis, an initiating scenario that is considered a high risk in one or more States may be considered a low risk to the Arctic as a whole.
The consensus report forms a basis for future work to ensure existing emergency preparedness and response in the Arctic meets the identified risks. For the purpose of this project, the geographical boundary of the Arctic was defined as described by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme and the different Arctic States’ Arctic areas as identified in accordance with the Arctic States search and rescue (SAR) areas according to the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement.
Arctic Council Working Group