The Arctic is rapidly changing, and the need for knowledge about development has never been greater. A new research project brings together more than 40 organizations from 16 countries to strengthen observation and knowledge sharing in the Arctic.
The Norwegian Polar Institute has a central role in the Beyond Arctic PASSION project, which will contribute to better coordination of observations from satellites, research ships, automatic measuring systems and locally based observational programmes. The goal is to make observations and information more accessible and relevant to researchers, governments and communities.
For the Polar Institute, participation is about ensuring access to observations from across the Arctic.
– It is important for the Norwegian Polar Institute to have access to good observations from all over the Arctic, also from areas where we do not make measurements ourselves. Beyond Arctic PASSION works to ensure that the most important observations are prioritized and carried out in a uniform way, and effectively divided, regardless of the institution it is that performs the measurements themselves, says Arild Sundfjord at the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Programme leader Arild Sundfjord. Photo: Ketil Rydland / UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Leading work with joint observation methods
The Norwegian Polar Institute is not only a participant in the project, but is also responsible for central parts of the work.
– The Norwegian Polar Institute is leading the work to put in place better, common procedures to carry out measurements of key parameters on ecosystems, biogeochemistry, light and sea ice. In addition, we are responsible for strengthening the pan-Arctic network Distributed Biological Observatory, says Sundfjord
Through the project, research institutions, indigenous organizations, local representatives and operational services will work together to strengthen the observation systems in the Arctic and make knowledge more accessible to users.
From observations to knowledge
Beyond Arctic PASSION includes the entire chain from the collection of observations to the use of knowledge in research, management and society.
– Bouting Arctic PASSION works with the entire value chain for climate and environmental observations in the Arctic. How to prioritize which observations are important, how to do the best possible way, and how data that is produced can be translated into available, applicable knowledge both for management and for people living and working in the Arctic, says Sundfjord.
The project started on 1 September 2026 and will run over four years. It is funded through the EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe.
Beyond Arctic PASSION
- The Norwegian Polar Institute is leading the work on joint procedures for measuring key parameters in the Arctic.
- Working, among other things, with observations of ecosystems, biogeochemistry, lighting conditions and sea ice.
- Has responsibility for strengthening the pan-Arctic network Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO).
- Helps make observations and data more comparable and accessible across the Arctic.
