On thin ice? The coordination of Norway’s Svalbard policy in light of new conflicts of interest

Global warming, increased temperatures and consequently melting of sea ice is leading to major changes in the Arctic and the High North. The opportunity to extract natural resources, pursue tourism, transport goods along new transport routes and conduct research have caught the attention of both Arctic and non-Arctic actors, including China, the EU and Russia. In addition, tensions in the geopolitical situation in Europe has changed European security policy. The changes also affect the Norwegian High North, including Svalbard, a Norwegian area whose sovereignty is defined by the Svalbard Treaty. Signatory states enjoy rights related to presence and business on the archipelago, but the bound…