Tech to advise Greenlandic authorities for another five years

Since the 1980s, an interdisciplinary group of researchers from Aarhus University — to begin with under the auspices of the Greenland Environmental Survey and later the National Environmental Research Institute — has advised Danish and Greenlandic authorities on the potential impacts of raw material extraction on nature and the environment, and how these impacts can be minimised as much as possible. Since 2009, when the Greenland Self-Government authorities assumed responsibility for raw materials, the science advice and research carried out by these researchers for the Self-Government authorities has been conducted in close cooperation with the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Now a new set of agreements comprised of three separate agreements has fallen into place, under which Aarhus University, through DCE - Danish Centre for Environment and Energy – and in collaboration with the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources – will provide research-based science advice and research to the Environmental Agency for Mineral Resource Activities under the Greenland Self-Government authorities.

“One of our strengths when it comes to working with the Greenlandic authorities is that we are good at working across disciplinary boundaries. For example, when we advise on the impacts of mining, we need to draw on geochemistry, environmental chemistry, toxicology, leaching and dust dispersal, in addition to the potential effects of mining on animals, plants and biodiversity in the area,” says Senior Researcher Anders Mosbech from the Department of Ecoscience, who is head of research and science advice for the services contracted by the Greenland Self-Government authorities. As he explains:

“An example of a specific task that we perform is advising the Greenland Self-Government authorities when mining companies want an environmental impact assessment approved in connection with an application for an exploitation permit. We evaluate the company's environmental impact assessment to determine whether it is well-documented and accurate, whether the company has investigated the relevant conditions with adequate data collection, and whether the company plans to limit the environmental impact using the best available methods and technologies.” He adds:

“It’s important that the evaluation results in a credible description of both the short and long-term environmental impacts that the activities will lead to, on the basis of which Greenlandic politicians can make a decision. In this connection as well we draw on interdisciplinary expertise, most often from Tech’s departments, but also from the rest of AU or externally if necessary.”

Both research and advisory activities are ensuring a transfer of knowledge to the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, equivalent to a sector research institution under the Greenlandic government.

“A very important part of what we do is preparing the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources to ultimately take over the task of advising the Greenland Self-Government authorities on raw materials,” says Mosbech.

The advisory relationship between Tech and the the Greenland Self-Government authorities is based on over 40 years of research in Greenland, and the science advice and independent research Tech delivers go hand-in-hand.

“Right now, for example — as a combination of research and science advice — we are working on mapping different regions of Greenland in relation to future mining. We’re mapping things like vegetation and wildlife and local exploitation of these areas for hunting and outdoor recreation, so all this information is available when the mining operation is planned,” Mosbech says and continues:

“The data we collect is also used to advise the the Greenland Self-Government authorities in regard to planning protected areas. Our data is also published in NatureMap, which is the Greenland Self-Government authorities’ official platform for data on nature.”

Greenland is interested in increasing industrialisation, and the long-term prospects are promising for mining, increased shipping and exploiting hydropower for other larger industries:

“The Greenland Self-Government authorities are committed to taking good care of their country. In this regard, the mission of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and of AU's research and science advice is to contribute to ensuring that the same mistakes are not made in Greenland in connection with increased industrialisation that we have seen with e.g. mining operations elsewhere in the world. So that hopefully, Greenland can avoid the most destructive effects of pollution and disturbance of wildlife,” says Mosbech.