Environmental Governance of an Ocean Commons: the Arctic

In this session we explore the Arctic as a global commons addressing whether the characteristics of the region are consistent with the concept. If they are, and I lay out alternative views, we can discuss some of the implications for international law and governance of this understanding. Along the way, I describe the actual and potential degradation of the Arctic; evaluate the Arctic case along criteria linked to successful commons governance; and present specific policy changes that evolve from cooperative strategies–and those that emphasize the coercion part of commons thinking. I look to participants’ contributions on the need for and types of change.