Solutions to land-use conflicts and competing interests in the arctic region

Climate change is expected to transform the Arctic more dramatically than any other region on Earth. The Arctic is currently under exceptional pressure, as globalization and the climate crisis are driving unprecedented change. Through the ArcticHubs project, we aim to address the challenges of reconciling competing land uses in the Arctic.

Conflicts over land use in the Arctic have emerged as new economic sectors—such as mining and tourism—have expanded, while traditional livelihoods like fishing and forestry have become industrialized. These changes have deep impacts on the lives and communities of the Arctic region, spanning economic, sociocultural, political, and environmental dimensions.

The ArcticHubs project seeks to resolve resource and land-use conflicts by developing new tools and approaches for local adaptation. Ensuring the voices of local people is central to the project’s methodology.

In 2024, we produced a Videobox series highlighting key insights into how local communities perceive the development and future of Arctic towns. The series focuses on the evolution of Arctic livelihoods such as aquaculture, tourism, and forestry, with particular emphasis on reindeer herding, which is of special importance to Indigenous peoples.

In addition to covering existing economic activities, the series explores the emergence of new industries in the Arctic. By sharing perspectives from those directly involved in Arctic livelihoods, we aim to increase awareness of the region’s unique challenges and opportunities. The overarching goal is to support the sustainable development and resilience of Arctic communities in the face of rapid global change.