Grant: Canada First Research Excellence Fund

The Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative is a partnership between academic and Inuit organizations, to address and respond to concerns about Arctic shipping growth and related environmental impacts affecting Northern communities. Increased access to Arctic waters and ports raises issues requiring the robust application of innovative science and technology approaches, as well as considerations surrounding policy and governance. This work cannot successfully be completely solely by academic researchers; co-development with Inuit organizations and input from local knowledge-holders will place Inuit priorities at the centre of the work as we strive to develop the knowledge base required for more sustainable, more efficient, and safer Arctic shipping, and the evidence to support the necessary policy changes. Qanittaq will combine Inuit knowledge with the exceptional facilities and resources provided by academic institutions to model and test new technologies, develop specialized expertise, and prepare HQP (Inuit and others) with the capacity to respond to future challenges. Qanittaq’s research themes are: 1) Sustainable shipping operations and coastal/community infrastructure; 2) Responsible ship design; and 3) Governance of Arctic shipping. Theme 1 will use a multidisciplinary, community-partnered approach to examine risks both to and from ships, such as understanding sea ice and weather threats and mitigations, and application of policies governing Arctic waterways. Theme 2 will involve a multi-faceted approach to evaluating ship design and operations in Arctic environments, with goals of providing new discoveries for lower emissions, lower risk to humans and environment, economic benefits, and greater efficiency. Theme 3 will support multidisciplinary, local-informed research on maritime governance and private law aspects of Arctic shipping to yield ways to strengthen policies and governance for an exemplary maritime system. This crucial initiative features work in the research fields of environment policy, Indigenous peoples environmental knowledge, naval architecture, ocean engineering, and transportation geography. Underpinning all research fields and project themes is the consideration of environmental impacts and Inuit stewardship in the Arctic. Throughout Qanittaq’s research and knowledge translation, partnership will be fostered through thoughtful communications, inclusive translation, specialised training, and community-led meetings.