Industry-specific impacts of global drivers in the European Arctic

Abstract

Natural resource-based industries in the European Arctic operate in an increasingly competitive and globalized Arctic. Knowledge of key drivers and their industrial impacts provide industries, companies, communities, and decision-makers at multiple levels with information on how to plan, manage and collaborate for the future. In this study, we explore the global drivers that affect key industries in the European Arctic – aquaculture, forestry, mining and tourism – and what impacts these drivers have on the specific industries. The study identifies eight common global drivers affecting all four industries, after applying thematic analysis of an extensive interview material with national industrial specialists in the European Arctic countries and at EU level. The global drivers identified, impact the development of key industries in the European Arctic differently and point to context-specific developments as well as a considerable uncertainty what the future holds.