“One of the most striking global conditions in the last 10 years are the major changes of the Arctic region”, the strategy document starts. It outlines a very pro-active Danish and Greenlandic approach to their joint Arctic areas, both within the field of energy, military affairs, shipping, environment and international relations.
A draft version of the strategy, which covers the period 2011-2020, was recently presented by newspaper Information. It is the joint work of Danish and Greenlandic government authorities. The strategy, which is expected to be adopted in June this year, will be the second of its kind. Already in 2008, Denmark and Greenland adopted an Arctic strategy document named “Arctic in a period of change”.
Denmark/Greenland is a key member of the Arctic Council. Denmark is also a member of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.
Denmark is not alone with an Arctic strategy. Also Norway, Russia, Canada, the USA, the EU, Finland and Sweden have adopted similar documents.
Denmark/Greenland recently hosted this year’s Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, which made several historical decisions, among them the adoption of a first legally binding Agreement on Aeroneutical and maritime search and rescue and the establishment of a permanent council secretariat in Tromsø (Norway). The meeting Declaration also reads that a special task force on the implementation of council decisions will be established.
Denmark’s new Arctic Strategy reads that an expected 31 billion barrels of oil and gas will be found in the waters off northeast Greenland. Another 17 billion barrels are expected discovered off the country’s western coast. The company Cairn Energy has already started an extensive mapping of the Arctic waters and in 2010 conducted three exploration well drilling operations. Another four exploration wells will be drilled in 2011, the company informs.
Paradoxically, the document also highlights the major potential for renewable energy at Greenland and highlights that Denmark/Greenland intends to become independent of fossil fuels by year 2050.
The document also confirms that Denmark/Greenland intends to claim the North Pole and that a bid will be handed in to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf by year 2014
The country also intends to reorganize its military forces in order to make them better prepared for surveillance and action in the Arctic. An Arctic commando will be established based on existing units. Also an Arctic military special force will be established, trained to conduct operations under the extreme Arctic conditions.
Shipping is a key point in the draft strategy. Special regulations on shipping in the Arctic should be made, the document argues. It proposes to establish a binding Polar Codex on shipping, which can be adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The strategy also highlights the key role of the Arctic Council and proposes to upgrade its power from “decision-shaping” to “decision-making”. At the same time, however, Denmark and Greenland want to develop and formalize cooperation in the Arctic 5 group, the meetings between the representatives of the five Arctic coastal states, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, Russia, Canada and USA.
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At the same time, Denmark/Greenland also wants to include the EU. The document reads that ”Denmark should actively contribute to the shaping of EU policies relevant for the Arctic” and support “a suitable” place for the EU in international talks on the Arctic.
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