Chosen justice question particularly relevant for the regulatory/policy framework (in the light of JUSTNORTH research, aimed at supporting future justice-focused research on Arctic governance):

General: What is the idealized vision of the future state that the framework is to achieve (e.g. as expressed in introduction to legal acts)?

Multilevel perspective: How different levels of governance interact to produce justice?

Weighting values: Does the framework promote certain values and interests at the expense of others? Whose interests are being promoted? 

Procedural justice: What are the opportunities for participation in decision-making and who is envisaged as a stakeholder?

Landscape justice: How are decisions made concerning the development, use, and enjoyment of the Arctic landscape? In what ways are these decision-making processes inclusive, and of whom?

Environmental justice and ethics: What identifiable actual or potential environmental harms and benefits are governed by the given regulatory framework? How are they distributed?

Rights: Which rights and rights frameworks are expressly included in the governance framework, which are missing?

AECO is an international organization for expedition cruise operators. We are dedicated to managing responsible, environmentally friendly and safe expedition cruising in the Arctic. The members agree that expedition cruises and tourism must be carried out with the utmost consideration for the fragile natural environment, local cultures and cultural remains, as well as the challenging safety hazards at sea and on land. AECO members are obligated to operate in accordance with national and international laws and regulations, as well as agreed upon AECO by-laws and guidelines.

Parts of the guidelines have been developed for use in tour planning, preparation and operation by the tour operational office of AECO members. Other parts are tools to be understood and implemented by expedition staff working in the field in the Arctic. All visitors, staff and crew from AECO members’ ships must act in accordance with legal regulations as well as AECO guidelines. The guidelines do not in any way replace official laws and regulations or the need to know these regulations.

The guidelines are a dynamic set of tools that will develop with experience and knowledge as well as reflect new regulations and conditions.

The Guidelines have been developed with considerable input from the Governor of Svalbard, The Norwegian Polar Institute, WWF’s Arctic Program Office, as well as Visit Greenland, Greenland’s Ministry of Nature and Environment and others. These contributing institutions are not responsible for the correctness of the content, or the point of view AECO has taken on subjective matters in the guidelines.