Russia ‘withholding’ vital climate data in the Arctic, warns Nato

NATO has expressed concerns that Russia is withholding crucial climate data needed for accurate modeling of Arctic climate changes, Financial Times reports. A senior NATO official said that the absence of this data hampers climate modeling essential for informed political decision-making regarding emissions reductions.

• The International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic reports that out of 95 field bases gathering data, 21 are currently inactive, a situation that arose after Russia halted data sharing following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This standoff highlights the political tensions impacting global climate science and cooperative efforts.
• As the Arctic warms at least three times faster than the global average, concerns grow about potential releases of greenhouse gases from melting permafrost and increased wildfires. NATO  has warned that while melting ice may present new naval opportunities for Russia, it also poses significant vulnerabilities if left unchecked.
• Ahead of the UN COP29 summit next month, NATO has criticized Russia’s obstructive behavior in climate negotiations, particularly regarding the fossil fuel phaseout. The World Meteorological Organization and other institutions are trying to facilitate data sharing for global benefits, though geopolitical tensions are making their task more challenging.