Journal articles - Arctic and North
All articles: 1028
Key trends of investment development in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in 2008–2017
Scientific article
This article is devoted to the study of the investments and their transformation in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in the conditions of the crisis of the last decade. Current studies indicate the occurred as a result of economic shocks aimed at the implementation of the state Arctic policy, as well as the need for financial and technological constraints that require a retrospective analysis of investment activity in the Arctic zone. The study of investments in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in 2008-2017 has four stages identified: 2008–2010; 2011–2012; 2013–2014; 2015–2017. One may see that investments in the Russian Federation are due to quite sharp fluctuations and their uneven distribution across regions. The most significant volumes of Russian investments in the first phase were typical for regions partially located in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, and now — for entirely Arctic areas. The same situation was until 2014 with foreign investments in the Arctic. However, after the start of the “sanctions war,” we observed a turning point. Foreign investments in the Arctic areas of the Russian Federation significantly decreased. The decline continues to this day. Predicted options for further investment development in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation have an adverse scenario for the national economy.
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Labor Market Features in the Russian North: Employment, Wages and the Role of Northern Allowances
Scientific article
This article focuses on the labor market in the Russian northern regions. The labor market in the Russian North was formed due to the state policy of the no longer existing state, aimed at the active attraction of migrants from other territories for the industrial development of the country. This policy of attracting migrant labor in the state was implemented mainly through the creation of the institution of wages, which provided additional northern payments to the salary, designed to compensate for the discomfort of living and working conditions in the North. This led to an increase in employment in the North. The research goal is to study the formation and development of the wage institution, as well as to determine the impact of wages on employment in modern conditions. The article presents the history of formation of the institution of wages in the Russian North. The dynamics of labour market indicators is given, the change in the ratio of wages in the North is presented, based on official statistical data over the past 15 years. The results of the study show that the northern territories have problems of the labor market that have arisen in recent decades: high levels of unemployment, reduced employment, and wages, once being a significant factor, had a positive impact on employment, but today contribute to the decline in the economic attractiveness of life in the North.
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Labor Markets of the Northern Territories of Russia in 2019–2023
Scientific article
The paper analyses the processes taking place in the local labor markets of Russia’s northern territories in 2019–2023. A review of the results of empirical studies showed that the northern territories of the Russian Federation differ in terms of economic development, sectoral structure and labor market characteristics. This work aims to identify and show changes in the main characteristics of employment and labor markets of the northern territories over the five-year period 2019–2023, characterized by a high frequency of exposure to external macro-shocks. The analysis was conducted using Rosstat data aggregated by regions and territories of the Far North and equivalent areas and/or the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The work analyzed the dynamics of migration growth of the population, the number and structure of employment, wages and indicators of tension in the regional labor markets of the northern territories. The study showed that, despite the continuing heterogeneity of the labor markets of the northern territories in many indicators, positive dynamics were observed in some of them, even in depressed regions. In terms of the aggregate positive changes in indicators, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — Yugra was in the lead, while the Komi Republic showed negative changes. The results of the analysis can be used in implementing demographic, migration and social policies, as well as in developing programs aimed at regulating regional labor markets in northern and Arctic territories.
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Labor Potential of the Russian Arctic
Scientific article
Demographic and migratory processes are analyzed, as well as the effect of low life level on the development of labor potential of the regions of the Russian Arctic
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Scientific article
The article explores the role of the Russian language as a tool for social interaction in the Arctic regions of Russia, where migration and communication between different ethnic groups are taking place. In the context of the multinational society characteristic of this region, the Russian language acquires special significance, being a link between the indigenous peoples of the North (IPNS). The author’s study emphasizes that language serves not only as a means of communication, but also helps to form social identity, increasing the level of social integration. Language becomes a platform for cultural exchange, promoting mutual understanding and maintaining friendly relations between different groups of the population. For migrants, the Russian language provides opportunities for access to educational and social services, and for indigenous peoples, it “opens the door” to various resources and information necessary for their life. When writing the material, the main method chosen was content analysis of scientific literature and publicly available studies in the field of Russian language as a means of intercultural communication. Particular attention is paid to the possibilities of mutual enrichment of languages and cultures through bilingual education, translation of folklore and creation of multimedia projects, which allows not only to preserve the identity of the Arctic peoples, but also to strengthen the Russian language as the basis for interethnic communication. The authors are well aware that the study has a number of limitations based on an abstract representation of the culture and language of the northern peoples, as well as the fact that most native speakers do not actively use their native language and often hide their knowledge of it, preferring to use the official language, Russian, in everyday communication. The article analyzes the contribution of Russian and foreign scholars to research on the stated topic, as well as specific measures and strategies for improving language as a tool for interaction.
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Scientific article
Svalbard, despite its remoteness from the mainland and traditional routes of communication, is an Arctic territory that has been attracting the attention of various countries and peoples for several centuries. In the 18th - first half of the 19th century, the archipelago was actively developed by Pomors, engaged in mammal hunting there. In the 19th century, Norwegians revealed their economic interest in Svalbard. Historical studies have repeatedly examined the cases of contacts between Pomors and Norwegians during mammal hunting expeditions to Svalbard, but none of the authors have studied the language contacts between Pomors and Norwegians during the development of Svalbard. The authors used an interdisciplinary approach and analyzed documentary and literary sources to formulate a hypothesis about the practice of Pomor-Norwegian contacts, incl. those in Russenorsk. The study presents a new issue for scientific discussions by both historians and linguists, which can serve as a basis for the development of international cooperation between Norway and Russia.
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Learning about the Arctic and the Russian North (Experience of Distance Schools)
Scientific article
The article describes the experience of seasonal language and culture schools organized for foreign students at the Northern (Arctic) Federal University. One of the factors that attract participants is the Arctic component in the program content, acquaintance with nature, culture, customs and modern life of the Russian North. The pandemic situation made only a distance format of such schools possible. At the same time, the task of preserving the cultural specificity realized in the activity component was solved. The authors described the main content components of the program of the School of Russian Language and Culture related to the topic of the North and the Arctic: video tours of Solovki, the Museum “Malye Korely”, city tours (videos about Arkhangelsk), texts about Arctic research and travelling to the Arctic, “Northern text” of Russian literature, video lectures and master classes. It is emphasized that the images of the Arctic and the Russian North are the conceptual core of the content of remote seasonal schools. The next distance school of Russian Language and Culture is announced.
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Legal Ecological Protection of the Lena River
Scientific article
The aim of the work is to study the legislative framework for the protection of the Lena River. The article discusses actual problems related to the ecology of the Lena River. A brief analysis of the current ecological state of the Lena River basin is made. Mining, industrial development of deposits, operation of oil storage facilities and settlements located in coastal areas lead to pollution of the river with various harmful impurities. The unique natural conditions and wealth of natural resources of the northern territories require the adoption of all possible methods of protecting the unique ecosystem. Legal protection should be a priority measure in preserving the ecology of the Lena River basin. An overview of federal regulatory and legislative documents on the protection of water bodies is provided. It is shown that the legislative framework for the protection of the Lena River has not been formed and is in the process of formation. The paper proposes the creation of comprehensive environmental legislation to preserve the nature of the Lena River basin. The basis for the legislative protection of the Lena River is the strategic provisions of federal laws on water bodies. The article outlines the main measures to preserve the ecological state of the river for future generations. The need to increase humanity’s responsibility for preserving the environment is noted. The above circumstance makes it relevant to attract public attention to the development of programs to preserve the ecological state of the Lena River.
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Legal and Institutional Aspects of Russia’s Policy on Climate Change Adaptation in the Arctic Zone
Scientific article
The aim of this article is to examine the legal and institutional components of Russian policy on climate change adaptation in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation. For this purpose, regulatory legal acts concerning the issue of adaptation to climate change were studied. The documents are divided into four groups. The main methods are document analysis, comparative analysis. The author made the following conclusions. The legal framework for climate change adaptation has been generally formed in Russia. However, the definition of adaptation, its aims and objectives are not specified in the Russian Federation’s environmental legislation; therefore, amendments to the legislation are required. Adaptation is reflected in strategic documents of Russia, but not all strategies highlight it as a direction of climate policy. The documents on the development of the Arctic region of the Russian Federation prescribe a number of adaptation measures. The main documents in this area are federal, sectoral and regional adaptation plans. The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation has adopted its own plan. Seven constituent entities of the Russian Federation within the Arctic zone have adopted their own plans, which are characterized by the abstract nature of the measures and their inconsistency with adaptation measures, and which also fail to reflect the interests of the indigenous peoples of the North. This requires detailed refinement of the plans and the introduction of amendments. The institutional framework is represented by the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Climate Issues, executive bodies and committees of legislative bodies. Scientific institutions and the business community are interested in the implementation of adaptive policy. However, specialized body that would be responsible for implementing policy in this area, either in the country as a whole or in the Russian Arctic, hasn’t been created. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation at the federal level and the Ministry for Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic in the Arctic zone could be responsible for implementing such policies. Supervisory powers should be assigned to Roshydromet (the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring). The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using its results by Russian political actors.
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Legal measures of protection of water bioresources of the Arctic region
Scientific article
In article the questions connected with a general characteristic of the operating faunistic legislation regarding protection of water biological resources are considered. In connection with a wide circulation of environmental problems including in the Arctic region questions of protection of the given kind of natural resources are very actual. The author analyses existing system of sources in the field of rational use and protection of water bioresources, concrete norms of the right are resulted and characterized.
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Legal regulation of the traditional (native) Pacific walrus harvest in Russia
Scientific article
The article briefly reviewed studies of the Pacific walrus. This information is necessary for the development of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) since the native people of Chukotka annually harvest this subspecies of walrus. We have drawn attention to the long-term change in the habitat of the walrus, i.e., to the reduction of the ice period in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and possible consequences for the walrus (increased mortality and epizootics). Legal acts for the fisheries are regulating the traditional (native) walrus harvest on Chukotka, and the capture of walrus calves for educational and cultural purposes have been described. A scheme for the development of the TAC for walrus has been discussed as well. We have presented the latest data on allocated quotas and actual walrus harvest. The need for more detailed and versatile research of walrus in connection with climate change is discussed. The author suggests cooperation between the native people of Chukotka and various research institutions for the better-organized study of the walrus in relation to climate change, for conservation and rational use.
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Scientific article
The aim of the work is to study the legislative support for the development of creative industries in the Russian Arctic using the example of the Murmansk Oblast. The following tasks have been solved: the legislative framework of the federal level, providing the development of creative industries in Russia as a whole, has been studied; the regional legislative framework has been studied on the example of the Murmansk Oblast; the measures of support for the development of Arctic creative industries at different levels of government have been analyzed. It was revealed that until 2021 the creative sector of the economy was reflected in legal acts of all levels through the concepts of “small and medium-sized businesses”, “self-employed citizens” and “individual entrepreneurs”. The concept of “creative industries” received legislative recognition with the adoption at the federal level of the “Concept for the development of creative industries and mechanisms for the implementation of their state support in large and major urban agglomerations until 2030” in 2021. The Concept and the Action Plan for its implementation, adopted in 2030, laid the regulatory and legal basis for the development of this sector of the economy, but the legislative framework for the development of creative industries in the Russian Federation has not yet been fully formed. The study showed that in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation the situation with regulatory support for the development of creative industries is similar. Using the example of the Murmansk Oblast, it was revealed that the regional legislative framework for this promising area is currently in the nascent stage, and the first normative-legal acts directly related to the development of the Arctic creative industries began to appear only in 2023. It was concluded that it is necessary to develop a concept for the development of Arctic creative industries in the Russian Arctic in order to ensure uniform approaches, consistency of actions and coordination of measures for the development of this sector of the economy in the Russian Arctic. The need to use the term “creative industries” in various legal acts in order to avoid discrepancies and to ensure the uniformity of legal support for this sector of the economy is substantiated.
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Scientific article
The article is devoted to the peculiarities of demographic ageing in the northern regions of Russia in accordance with the new economic threshold of old age. The relevance of the research is conditioned by the gradual increase of the retirement age in Russia and preservation of the favorable retirement age in the North. The information base is the results of the population censuses and the official data of Rosstat. The dynamic and comparative statistical analysis and demographic research methods are used. Regularities of ageing of the Russian population by new retirement age in different inter-census periods are revealed. The period of 1959-1970 is characterized by “ageing from below” due to the transition to limited fertility, and “ageing from above” under conditions of increasing life expectancy of the population. The periods of 1970-1979 and 1989-2002 are characterized by “ageing from below”. Within the periods of 1979-1989 and 2002-2010, there was a decrease in the level of ageing of the population in Russia. The last intercensal period of 2010-2021 is the only one for which the definition of “ageing from above” is suitable. By 1989, the North zone had a noticeably younger age structure of the population than in the country as a whole. The migration outflow that began in the late 1980s caused the increased rates of demographic ageing of the Northern regions, which also continued in 2002-2010. As a result, in Karelia and the Arkhangelsk Oblast, the share of the population above the new retirement age in 2021 already noticeably exceeds the average Russian level, while in the Sakhalin Oblast, the Komi Republic and the Murmansk Oblast, it is close to the national level.
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Scientific article
The article discusses the concept of transport system with a focus on the local transport system, as well as its role in the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic. The empirical study is based on the materials of expeditions that took place on the Summer and Winter shores of the Onega Peninsula, as well as on the island territories of the Primorskiy district of the Arkhangelsk Oblast. The local transport system was analyzed in terms of its elements: infrastructure, regulatory system, vehicles used, information support, informal institutional system of transport support regulation, etc. The materials obtained during the expedition were supplemented with data on the organization of transport communication, timetables, logistics, and official information on the methods of organizing navigation on the Northern Dvina River and in the White Sea. On the basis of the theory of multiscale and the analysis of empirical data, it is concluded that the local transport system is the main factor determining the scenarios of socio-economic development of municipalities in the Russian Arctic. Transport connectivity of the Arctic zone should start with transformations “from below”, from the local transport system, taking into account local knowledge and institutions. Proposals for the development of the local transport network of the Arctic region are presented.
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Logistic Basis for the Development of Arctic Tourism in Russia
Scientific article
In our article we analyzed the transport accessibility of the subjects of the Arctic zone of Russian Federation for potential tourists. To do this, we estimated in points the material and time costs of tourists, traveling from the main centers of the formation of tourist flows in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg) to various Arctic destinations. For each administrative-territorial subject of the Arctic zone we have selected potential support logistic centers of the development of Arctic tourism, which will receive visiting tourists, provides them with basic services and redistributes them along tourist routes. These are mainly transport centers, connected with Moscow and St. Petersburg and with settlements on this territory. We referred to Murmansk, Apatity, Arkhangelsk, Naryan-Mar, Vorkuta, Salekhard, Norilsk, and Anadyr. As a result of the study, we have found that currently the most promising for the development of Arctic tourism is Murmansk region, its transport infrastructure is convenient for using by tourists and the development of Arctic tourist routes. Arkhangelsk Oblast and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomus Okrug are also promising, their support centers of the development of Arctic tourism are capable of receiving and redistributing tourist flows in Arctic directions. The least developed in terms of transport is the Arctic part of Yakutia, where there are no large transport hubs, capable of taking on the function of tourist distribution centers.
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Scientific article
Weekend rest is an important part of a person's recreational cycle. Northerners need a good rest to maintain their health. The choice of a place for vacation is associated with restrictions on the time of movement, since its period should not be longer than 2–3 days. The purpose of the research is to select the most suitable transport areas for residents of the Arkhangelsk urban agglomeration, taking into account the landscape and tourist resources. Based on the study of vehicles and the geographical location of tourist services, three sectors were identified, limited by five–hour transport accessibility from the cities of the Arkhangelsk agglomeration. The most promising for priority development is the southern sector, the centers of which can be the villages of Kholmogory and Emetsk. Excursion, relaxation, ecological and sports tourism can be offered there at any time of the year. The transit position of the main roads of the region gives this sector the advantages of attracting tourists from other regions. The western and eastern sectors have significant recreational potential, but their use is constrained by poor transport accessibility. The western sector with the center in the city of Onega is promising for the development of seaside relaxation tourism in summer and sports tourism in winter. The eastern sector with two centers in the villages of Pinega and Karpogory is promising for ecological, sports and excursion tourism throughout the year.
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Logistics Capabilities of the Russian Arctic Regions for the Development of Automobile Tourism
Scientific article
The development of automobile tourism in Russia has reached a new stage due to the concept approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. The relevance of this type of tourism is associated with the increased demand of Russians for travel within the country and the difficulties in providing of transportation for the increased tourist flows. The stimulus to its development is the increase in motorization of citizens and the great recreational potential of Russia. For the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, auto tourism is one of the ways to develop the territory. In our work, based on the analysis of reviews of auto tourists in the Internet, we studied the demand for the regions of the Russian Arctic, the directions of the main car routes, the impressions gained from travelling on the Arctic roads. It turned out that the most popular regions among Russian auto tourists are the western sector of the Russian Arctic — Murmansk Oblast and the Republic of Karelia. Most trips are made in warm season. Tourists note the poor quality of the surface on some sections of the roads and the lack of roadside service facilities. Based on the materials of the highway departments, the Ministry of Transport and road maps, we studied the accessibility of the Arctic regions of Russia for auto tourists, their suitability for the development of tourist routes. As a result, we divided the Arctic regions into four groups: the most accessible, accessible, conditionally accessible and difficult to access. For each group, we proposed the types of auto tourism that can be developed there. Currently, development of auto tourism in the first two groups is the most promising.
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Long-term dynamics of economic development of the Russian Arctic
Scientific article
About a quarter of the world's natural gas and oil reserves are concentrated in the Arctic, which has led to increased interest of the world powers in this region in recent years. The Russian Federation has the greatest resource potential in this macro-region. This article examines the transformation of economic processes in the Russian Arctic. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that in order to achieve the main goals and implement the tasks of the modern state Arctic policy of Russia, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the features and patterns of economic processes taking place in this region. The author has analyzed the indicators characterizing some aspects of the economic development of the territories of the Russian Arctic in 1950–2018. According to the results of the analysis, three fundamentally different periods of the development of this region were identified: 1950–1990 — an intensive stage of economic development of the Arctic territories; 1990–1999 — the stage of market relations formation; from 2000 to the present — the stage of “redevelopment” of the Arctic. The main features of the economic development of the Arctic territories at each stage are shown. Conclusions concerning the tasks of the current stage of development are made. The assumption about the contemporary tendencies and the need to find new effective approaches to the management of the region is put forward.
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Low-Carbon Development of the North of Western Siberia: Climate Projects Based on Natural Solutions
Scientific article
Active anthropogenic activity is one of the main causes of serious environmental problems that hinder the development of the Arctic zone of Western Siberia — the most important resource potential of the country. The implementation of climate projects based on natural solutions is one of the areas of environmentally oriented economic growth. The formation and development of sequestration business is possible if there are conditions ensuring its economic efficiency. The article estimates the costs of absorbing of 1 ton of greenhouse gases during the implementation of climate projects in the northern taiga of Western Siberia. To achieve the goal, the predicted values of carbon sequestered from the atmosphere were calculated for different project scenarios. The CO2 effect was measured and the costs of carbon sequestration by tree and shrub communities of willow, alder and pine were analyzed. Alder monocultures showed the largest volumes of CO2 uptake and the lowest costs per carbon unit according to the carbon discounting model. CO2 duration analysis shows the sensitivity of the cost per carbon unit of a climate project based on alder monocultures to changes in the discount rate. The break-even price of a carbon unit is substantiated, which allows comparing it with the market price and drawing conclusions about the economic efficiency of the climate project on carbon sequestration. The study results provide practical recommendations for making decisions about investing in nature-based climate projects for low-carbon development in northern Western Siberia. The methodological approaches disclosed in the article can be used in other regions of Russia.
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