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Call for Evidence and Public Consultation on the Update of the EU Arctic Policy

6 January 2026

The European Commission has launched a public consultation and Call for Evidence on the upcoming update of the EU Arctic Policy. The initiative aims to gather views and expertise from stakeholders and the wider public to inform the revision of the current policy framework, as set out in the 2021 Joint Communication on the Arctic.

Political context

The European Union has a long-standing interest in the Arctic, stemming from its geographical presence, the impact of EU legislation and policies on the region, the accelerating effects of climate change, and the broader geopolitical and geoeconomic developments affecting the Arctic. The current EU Arctic Policy is defined by the 2021 Joint Communication “A stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic”.

Problems the initiative aims to tackle

New challenges and opportunities are arising, for example in relation to climate change, thawing permafrost, retreating sea ice, and the growing security concerns and geo-political importance of the Arctic. The current EU Arctic policy focuses on three (still relevant) areas. It should be updated considering the new developments:

  1. Climate change mitigation and adaptation and environmental protection. These are particularly important, continuously pressing challenges and are among the principal policy objectives of the Commission.
  2. Sustainable and inclusive development. The people living in the Arctic have legitimate socioeconomic aspirations, their resources should be used sustainably, and the involvement of local and indigenous communities is essential.
  3. Enhanced international cooperation. This is paramount, particularly for trade, safety, security and defence in the Arctic, as matters of Arctic importance are handled in a cross-sectoral manner and in many different fora. International and geopolitical interest in the Arctic has grown exponentially since 2021, with traditional and non-traditional security risks being present.

The consultation will inform a Joint Communication planned for Q3 2026 and will build on the existing policy framework set out in the 2021 Joint Communication. Contributions can be submitted in all official EU languages via the Commission’s Have your say portal.

The deadline for submitting feedback is 9 March 2026.