Arctic Council

CAFF - Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna

The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) is the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council, and its mandate is to address the conservation of Arctic biodiversity, and to communicate its findings to the governments and residents of the Arctic, helping to promote practices which ensure the sustainability of the Arctic’s living resources.

CAFF’s projects provide data for informed decision making in resolving the challenges which are now arising in trying to both conserve the natural environment and permit regional growth.  This work is based upon cooperation between all Arctic countries, indigenous organizations, international conventions, and organizations.

CAFF serves as a vehicle to cooperate on species and habitat management and utilization, to share information on management techniques and regulatory regimes, and to facilitate more knowledgeable decision-making. It provides a mechanism to develop common responses on issues of importance for the Arctic ecosystem such as development and economic pressures, conservation opportunities, and political commitments.

In order to successfully conserve the natural environment and allow for economic development, comprehensive baseline data is required, including the status and trends of Arctic biodiversity, habitats, and ecosystem health. CAFF is developing the framework and tools necessary to create a baseline of current knowledge, and to provide dynamic assessments over time. This evolving, sustainable, and responsive approach can produce more regular, timely, and flexible analyses.

For more information please visit the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna website.