Firmly setting its sights on boosting polar research, France, under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, has announced that it will be almost a year after the launch of the country’s polar strategy for 2030. At the One Planet-Polar Summit held recently in Paris, Macron revealed ambitious plans to develop an ice-class research vessel, backed by a billion-euro budget.
A Summit for the Glaciers and Poles
The One Planet-Polar Summit, arising from the initiative of the French government, marked a significant milestone as the inaugural international congregation for glaciers and poles. With participation from researchers and leaders from over forty glacial and polar regions, the event witnessed vibrant multilingual exchanges. Russia, a key Arctic nation, did not receive an invite due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A Civilizational Challenge
Macron made a rousing highlight of the current climate crisis that poses a grave threat to the cryosphere – the planet’s frozen water part. Labeling it a ‘civilizational challenge,’ he advocated for an unmatched level of cooperation among world leaders. Despite the streak of geopolitical tensions, according to Macron, the stakes of protecting the poles and glaciers are paramount. “The war in Ukraine has affected working ties with globally significant, scientific, and geopolitical powers. Despite these tensions, we need to act and reorient the poles and glaciers as zones for peaceful, scientific, and environmental cooperation,” he stated.
A New Vessel for Polar Expeditions
As an essential part of the event, Macron made known that France is earmarking $1.1 billion for polar research. A sizable fraction of this budget is dedicated to obtaining a new ice-class vessel for polar exploration. The vessel, set to carry the name of the former Prime Minister cum French Ambassador, Michel Rocard, will principally anchor in French overseas territory, New Caledonia, in the South Pacific. Divided into several missions, the vessel is expected to extend its coverage to both the Western Pacific and Antarctica.
Overcoming Hindrances and Upgrading Facilities
France’s 2030 Polar Strategy noted the dearth of research vessels as a significant impediment to French scientists conducting international polar research. To tackle this, France had mulled over the idea of building a new ice-class vessel, refurbishing an older patrol boat, or leveraging the fleets of international partners. This initiative also brings the French Polar Institute into the limelight, as the strategy implored to revitalize it to meet growing demands. Macron also committed to renovating the Dumont d’Urville station, located in Antarctica, from 2026 and the Concordia station, jointly maintained by France and Italy.
Embarking on New Adventures
Eyeing substantial endeavors at the North and South Poles, France is charting some finances to support the Polar Pod expedition managed by the French explorer Jean-Louis Etienne. The Polar Pod is a uniquely constructed vertical vessel that will navigate the Antarctic Sea, propelled by ocean currents. Its purpose is to discover the Southern Ocean while collecting long-term observational data that will be relayed to researchers from forty-three scientific establishments across 12 countries actively involved in the project.
