ARCT-RISK meeting in Longyearbyen

Top image: Members of the ARCT-RISK project group inspect the site for the 2015-avalanche. Photo: Maria Philippa Rossi/UNIS

Understanding and adapting to climate change is one of the greatest ongoing societal challenges. After being granted 12 million from the Norwegian Research Council in December 2020, the ARCT-RISK-project (Risk governance of climate-related systemic risk in the Arctic) could finally have their first physical meeting.  

28 October 2021

The ARCT-RISK project started 1 April this year and will run until 2024. The first physical project meeting was held earlier this month, and the main objective was to make a data collection plan for future research activities.  

A natural hazard guided tour in Longyeardalen was made, of special interest for members of the project who’ve never been to Longyearbyen before. Standing only metres from the runout zone of the massive avalanche before Christmas in 20215, the participants witnessed the intense work of trying to secure the city infrastructure in the future.  

The primary objective of the project is to develop knowledge and tools to make sense of and deal with the effects of climate change on society’s ability to protect the life and health of its citizens, as well as to maintain critical infrastructure and function.  

A half day meeting was arranged with the local partners from Longyearbyen local Government, the Governor of Svalbard, Skred AS and Nordkapp municipality. The topic of the meeting was planning for data collection in close collaboration with these partners.  

Read more about the project on ARCT-RISK’s website.