The International Arctic Forum in Norilsk brought together 75 scientists, subsoil users, and industry experts from Russia and China to discuss pressing issues of sustainable development, climate change, and environmental safety.
The forum was organized by Fedorovsky Polar State University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Nornickel, and the Our Norilsk Endowment Fund, with the support of the Norilsk Development Agency.
"The Norilsk International Arctic Forum is a unique event. It brings together experts from various fields - geologists, geographers, ecologists, climatologists, and biologists - to discuss a wide range of issues related to the study of Arctic nature. Our colleagues from China, representatives of Peking University and East China Normal University, where leading environmental research groups operate, are also participating. All this creates a unique situation where scientists from various fields and countries are discussing Arctic ecology issues with the support of key Arctic players like Norilsk Nickel," noted Yuri Mazei, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, doctor of biological sciences, professor, and vice-rector for international affairs at Moscow State University.
More than 80% of the Russian Arctic is covered by permafrost. Climate warming here is proceeding much faster than in other regions, and therefore the problems faced by companies and residents of Arctic cities require close attention and a rapid response.
Polar State University and Norilsk Nickel have been implementing a project for background permafrost monitoring since 2023. Thirty-one engineering-geological boreholes, ranging in depth from 10 to 200 meters, are located at 11 sites in the Norilsk-Dudinka agglomeration. These boreholes allow for climate change forecasts under various scenarios up to 2050.
Nornickel's building and structure monitoring system covers approximately 1,000 buildings. Data from 1,500 different types of sensors is collected into a single system. It is one of the largest automated infrastructure monitoring systems in Russia.
Systematic scientific work helps move from monitoring to risk management, notes Alikhan Avarsky, project manager at Nornickel's Sustainable Development Department.
According to him, it is important for the company to maintain regular scientific research and seek out and find specialized partners and methods suited specifically to the regions in which Nornickel operates.
Taimyr offers a wide variety of unique landscapes, and collaboration between scientists from different countries allows for joint research at local permafrost sites.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
