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Threats to biodiversity in the Barents Sea Ecoregion

A region in change

As one of the most accessible regions in the Arctic, human activities are quickly expanding to even the most remote areas of the Barents Sea Ecoregion. More than anything else, the planned exploitation of vast hydrocarbon resources is likely to change the economic and geopolitical map of the Barents region profoundly.

An increasing share of Russia's oil exports is being shipped through the Ecoregion and oil companies are investing heavily in oil and gas development. In a few years, the Barents Sea may find itself at the heart of the production and transportation of a significant part of Russia's oil exports to the West.

This fast-moving development, in combination with other important and growing threats to biodiversity, represents a serious challenge to the environment and living resources in the Barents Sea, bringing with it large infrastructure development and changes in the way of life of indigenous peoples and local communities.

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