Climate change, growing political interest and new technology to extract natural resources are fuelling conflicts between different stakeholders and future choices of direction in the Arctic. Historical developments in the region also have implications for the decisions taken. This research programme seeks to advance understanding of the situation in the Arctic and to identify ways forward that will promote sustainability.
The programme was represented by its director, Peter Sköld, at the COP21 Climate Change Conference in Paris. Meetings for researchers, stakeholders and the public were held in Pajala and Kirkenes.
Programme researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, and the Stockholm Environment Institute received funding of almost SEK 30 million from NordForsk as part of its Centres of Excellence programme Responsible Development of the Arctic.