WWF Global Arctic Programme conservation wins 2024

This past year was the second-warmest year on record, according to NOAA’s 2024 Arctic Report Card. Despite this challenge, progress has been made in protecting this unique region.

From tackling black carbon emissions to mapping whale migration routes across the Arctic Ocean, advancing marine protections, and supporting Indigenous-led conservation, these achievements demonstrate the power of collaboration, science, and leadership in Arctic conservation.

Driving conservation through collaborative partnerships

Collaborative efforts are driving impactful marine conservation across the Arctic. In Alaska, WWF-US is partnering with the Inuit communities of Kotlik and Emmonak to better understand beluga whales in the Yukon River.

Through acoustic monitoring, this initiative combines Indigenous knowledge and science to study how belugas are adapting to a changing ecosystem, ensuring their protection.

In Greenland, WWF is supporting sustainable tourism development by helping tour operators learn from Iceland’s experiences. This initiative focuses on expanding tourism in the region while protecting the pristine environment that makes East Greenland unique. By promoting best practices, the project aims to balance economic opportunities with environmental conservation.

In Nunavut, WWF-Canada is working closely with Inuit leaders to support community-led conservation projects.

These efforts focus on conserving natural areas and species while simultaneously protecting livelihoods and enhancing food security. By aligning conservation with community priorities, the initiative strengthens both ecological and human well-being.

These projects showcase the power of partnerships that blend Indigenous leadership, local knowledge, and scientific expertise.

Mapping the Future of Marine Conservation

In 2024, WWF celebrated a significant milestone for Arctic marine conservation with the publication of a scientific paper detailing ArcNet, a groundbreaking framework for protecting Arctic ecosystems.

Originally introduced in 2021, ArcNet identifies over 4,000 areas of ecological importance across the Arctic Ocean, laying the foundation for a comprehensive network of marine protected areas. This publication advances global understanding of the Arctic’s biodiversity and provides a clear path for conservation action.

The paper showcases ArcNet’s methodology, which identifies critical habitats, such as migratory routes, breeding grounds, and feeding areas.

By sharing these findings, WWF has equipped policymakers and stakeholders with the tools needed to meet global conservation targets, including protecting 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.

Protecting the Central Arctic Ocean from overfishing

In 2024, a key step was taken to ensure the future protection of the Central Arctic Ocean through the continued implementation of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA). This landmark agreement prevents unregulated commercial fishing in this sensitive and rapidly changing region. During a meeting held in June 2024, WWF emphasized two critical points:

The need to identify and protect sensitive areas where even exploratory fishing would be harmful.

The importance of delaying adoption of regulations unless they meet the highest standards of precaution.

The outcome of this meeting reflects this cautious approach, with parties agreeing to take additional time to refine the rules. This delay provides an opportunity to ensure the regulations are truly robust and to strengthen the agreement by carving out areas where fishing will be prohibited.

WWF remains actively engaged, offering concrete proposals to make CAOFA a model for precautionary governance in the Arctic Ocean.

Safeguarding Arctic whales

In September of 2024, we produced a significant and essential building block for whale conservation with the release of WWF’s Arctic Blue Corridors online report. This interactive resource highlights the critical migratory routes of narwhals, bowhead whales, and belugas — routes that are vital for their survival.

The report also reveals a concerning overlap between these blue corridors and increasing ship traffic in the Arctic, which has surged by 37 per cent from 2013 to 2023.

This growing presence of vessels brings threats, such as fatal collisions and underwater noise pollution, disrupting the whales’ ability to navigate, feed, and avoid predators.

The report underscores the urgent need for Arctic countries to incorporate blue corridors into their biodiversity commitments, including protecting 30 per cent of oceans by 2030.

It also calls on the shipping industry to adapt by rerouting ships away from critical whale habitats or slowing down in unavoidable migration bottlenecks. These measures, combined with innovative solutions like quieter ship technologies, offer a clear path forward. Now is the time to act.

Tackling black carbon in the Arctic

The ban on heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic, which came into effect on 1 July 2024, marks a significant milestone in protecting this fragile ecosystem. HFO is not only a highly polluting fuel but also a major source of black carbon, a short-lived yet potent climate pollutant produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.

When black carbon settles on Arctic snow and ice, it accelerates melting by reducing reflectivity, contributing to the region’s warming at alarming rates.

However, the ban includes significant loopholes which delay full implementation until 2029, meaning the risk to Arctic biodiversity remains significant.

In October 2024, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) took an important step by agreeing to advance discussions on regulating black carbon emissions. During the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting (MEPC 82), the IMO committed to exploring the concept of ‘polar fuels’, which could dramatically reduce black carbon emissions by requiring ships to transition from dirty HFO to cleaner alternatives, such as distillate fuels or low-carbon options.

This progress follows over a decade of inaction, despite clear evidence of black carbon’s devastating impact on Arctic ice and global climate systems.

Member States now have until January 2025 to refine proposals for mandatory regulations, which could be adopted by 2026. While this is a positive development, swift action is essential to secure lasting protection for the Arctic and mitigate global climate change.

Pausing deep-sea mining in Norway

In 2024, Norway’s plans for deep-sea mining faced significant pushback, resulting in a critical pause to reconsider environmental protections. Deep-sea mining threatens fragile marine ecosystems, many of which remain unexplored.

Despite global calls for caution, Norway aimed to authorize mining without sufficient environmental impact assessments, raising concerns about compliance with national and international laws, including the newly adopted High Seas Treaty designed to protect marine biodiversity.

WWF Norway and other civil society groups stepped in, filing a lawsuit against the Norwegian government for failing to apply the precautionary principle and thoroughly evaluate the environmental risks. The legal challenge, combined with public opposition, sparked widespread debate and scrutiny of the government’s approach.

The turning point came when the Socialist Left Party intervened in Parliament, demanding a halt to the mining plans. This led to a pause in the authorization process, marking a major victory for ocean conservation.

Looking ahead: A shared responsibility

As the Arctic faces ever-increasing challenges, the need for bold, unified action has never been greater. These conservation successes show what is possible when countries, communities, and organizations come together. By continuing to prioritize collaboration, innovation, and Indigenous leadership, we can create a future where the Arctic thrives as a biodiverse, well-managed, and resilient ecosystem — safeguarding wildlife, supporting local communities, and contributing to a healthier planet for us all.

By WWF Global Arctic Programme