The Governance of the Arctic Environment: The EU and US Contribution

The vulnerability of the Arctic environment clearly requires special protection. Environmental threats can not only harm the polar ecosystem, but they may even lead to the disappearance of this region. Although a balance appears to be necessary between the diverse interests at stake, one cannot disregard the fact that sustainable development is only possible if the survival of the polar environment is ensured. A single regime does not appear to be able to deal with the difficult issue concerning the protection of the Arctic environment. A multilevel system of protection is required. Regardless of the existence of a global regime for the management of the Arctic, both the EU and US may identify the primary obligation of exercising their authority in an ‘environmentally responsible manner’ within the fundamental principles inspiring their constitutional systems