Europe as an actor influencing resource management regimes and sustainable development in the Arctic as a contribution to global justice

The project "Europe as an actor influencing resource management regimes and sustainable development in the Arctic as a contribution to global justice" (EUASDA) seeks to explore the variety of international interests and actors influencing natural resource development in the Arctic, and the role of the EU and European countries in meeting different criteria for a just and value-based global order in the context of natural resource development. The research contributions called for involve not only international cooperation and preventing conflict, but also the vision of sustainable livelihood.The project will explore European, non-European and non-Western perspectives on values and justice and how these are met by the EU countries' policies, activities and regulations for resource development policy, sustainability and protection of livelihoods in the Arctic. Research questions include: What global justice values do EU strategies and policies relevant for the Arctic explicitly or implicitly promote? How are different perspectives on a just and value-based global order met by the EU countries' policies, activities and regulations in the balance between trade and development policy vs. the protection of nature-based livelihoods? How can EU policies in different arenas promote a global just order in the Arctic? Two surveys will be conducted, one survey of perceptions of indigenous peoples and local people in Arctic regions on their future livelihood, and another of stakeholders and policy makers in EU countries on how they see policy changes and options for resource development and protection of livelihoods in the Arctic. The actor perspective will also be implemented through active contact with petroleum and mineral companies. Case studies of local communities and impacts on the livelihood of indigenous peoples will be conducted.