The Arctic as a boundary object: who negotiates Arctic governance?

Abstract The contribution proposes a novel theoretical synthesis, between recent Arctic scholarship drawing on English School concepts and ‘third wave’ constructivist norms research, to analyse the thematic ‘boundary practices’ prevailing in Arctic governance. Through the boundary concept, the article draws attention to the myriad of intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary institutions that are engaged in shaping practices linked to the ‘responsibility to freeze’, referring to efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on the region's communities as well as non-Arctic remote societies. Based on participant observation and policy and institutional document analyses generated between 2021 and 2023, the article argues that the ‘web’ of Arctic governance might undergo a reconfiguration. Having previously withstood the pressures of geopolitical crises originating outside the region, the governance web is now overshadowed by recent geopolitical developments, potentially triggering a recalibration of the political centre away from the Arctic Council and towards other forums. This would raise new questions of responsibility, accountability and authority, all of which may negatively affect marginalized decision-makers, such as Indigenous communities, that hold prominent roles in the current governance set-up. Going forward, although Arctic boundary work remains collaborative, fragmentation and associated multiple loyalties may limit the extent to which geopolitical fallout can be reconciled with tackling climate change.