Authors

Discussion

The discontinuation of work in the Arctic Council as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may severely impact the future of Arctic climate science. The Arctic Council has been a symbol of diplomacy, and values of scientific integrity since its creation. With all institutional research collaborations on hold and few windows open for researcher-to-researcher dialogue, the Arctic Council faces one of its most significant challenges yet. I seek to understand the current limitations and incentives at play for possible scientific cooperation with Russia in the Arctic Council after February 24^th, 2022, in addition to examining the conditions of possibility for producing and implementing scientific knowledge in the AC. The examination of research questions is based on an analysis of qualitative interviews with Russian researchers working with Arctic issues, as well as participants of the Arctic Council conducted after March 2022. In addition to this, former controversies having to do with Russian participation in the Council, and a historical perspective on Russian climate science are presented as background.  A weakening of crucial researcher networks and a lack of access to Russian climate data on thawing permafrost and biodiversity are parts of the challenges the AC currently faces.