Jade Jones

Research student,

: jonesjc8@cardiff.ac.uk

I am a postgraduate researcher in the School of Law and Politics. I began my doctoral research in January 2022 under the supervision of Dr Richard Caddell and Professor Elen Stokes. I am a member of the Cardiff University Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP) and director of the Student Division of CELP. I am also a student fellow at the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Centre, and a research intern at the Arctic Institute - Centre for Circumpolar Security Studies where I contribute to the Institute's weekly news analysis publication 'The Arctic This Week's Take Five.'

My primary research interests are in the law of the sea and international environmental law, particularly in relation to the Arctic marine environment.

My doctoral thesis is focused on the development of a legally binding and cross-jurisdictional network of Arctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which balance environmental conservation objectives against the socio-economic considerations of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). I hope my thesis will be a source of practical application, particularly as Arctic state actors begin to consider arrangements following the conclusion of the fourth Intergovernmental Confernence on Marine Biodiveristy Beyond National Jurisidicition (IGC4 2022), and future ratification of the BBNJ Agreement.

Background

Cardiff University LLB, 2016 - 2019.

Cardiff University LLM, 2019 - 2020.

Research interests

Polar Law / Law of the sea / International environmental law / International Wildlife law.

Current Projects

Exploring the case for a network of legally binding and cross-jurisdictional marine protected areas in the Arctic (Doctoral research).

Bridging the gaps : enhancing capacity in environmental decision-making in Welsh planning processes, (Research Assistant for Dr Caer Smyth, Cardiff University).

Presentations

PGR Symposium, Cardiff University, May 2022.

Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) lunchtime seminar, Cardiff University, October 2022.

Thesis

The forecast for a seasonally ice-free Arctic by 2035 has meant a seascape once considered too remote and hostile for viable activity is poised to become the next frontier for commercial, industrial and geopolitical venture. In response to the environmental danger presented by the growth in scope and intensity of human activities, the Arctic Ocean is subject to a dense network of multilateral and regional environmental agreements of varying legal authority. Nevertheless, the jurisdictional and sectoral fragmentation of the current legal framework as well as the inconsistent recognition of Arctic Indigenous Peoples' stakeholder interests, attests to the ongoing need of a more comprehensive and socially equitable form of environmental protection in the marine Arctic.

Despite academic and political consensus that a pan-Arctic MPA network has the greatest potential of achieving widespread ecological resilience whilst addressing socio-economic concerns, much of the past academic commentary is limited by the date of its publication.

Given the time of writing, it is anticipated this project will be well positioned as an early commentator following the imminent conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, to evaluate the role of the BBNJ in the estbalishment of a pan-Arctic MPA network. Ultimately, the project will result in a set of recommendations for a legally binding and cross-jurisdictional Arctic MPA network which balances environmental stewardship and social equity.

Research questions :

1. How is the Arctic marine environment being protected by protected areas?

2. How can Indigenous Peoples and local communities be included in the design, establishment and management of protected areas?

3. How will marine protected areas look in the area beyond national jurisdiction?

4. How will the existing institutional network governing environmental protection measures in coastal and international Arctic waters accomodate the BBNJ Agreement?