Local risks from Arctic permafrost thaw – Results from a transdisciplinary, comparative analysis

This dataset underpins the findings of a transdisciplinary and comparative assessment of permafrost thaw risks across four distinct Arctic regions: Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), the Avannaata Municipality (Greenland), the Beaufort Sea region and Mackenzie River Delta (Canada), and the Bulunskiy District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutiya, Russia). Information on permafrost thaw risks was gathered from multiple disciplines and stakeholders over a five-year period from 2019 to 2023, and classified via thematic network analysis (Attride-Stirling, 2001). The identified risks were subsequently verified and ranked by scientists and local experts through an iterative process and a series of workshops (see Ingeman-Nielsen et al., 2024 in Related Works).

The dataset contains the results of the thematic network analysis and ranking of permafrost thaw risks specific to each Arctic region. Provided as an .xlsx file, it consists of six main sheets comprising the following information:

Global theme - Physical Processes

Ranking - Physical Processes

Global theme - Key Hazards

Global theme - Societal Consequences

Ranking - Consequences

List of Actions Needed

Additional details about the methodological approach and dataset can be found in the accompanying README document.