OSLO – Norway announced plans on Friday to increase its control over infrastructure on the Arctic Svalbard islands, citing security concerns and climate change impacts on the archipelago.
Located approximately 700 km (435 miles) north of the European mainland, Svalbard is governed under a 1920 treaty granting Norway sovereignty while allowing citizens of signatory states to settle there without a Norwegian visa. The strategic position of Svalbard has raised concerns for Norway, particularly given the tensions between Russia and the West and the growing interest in the Arctic’s valuable oil, gas, and shipping routes.
Around 60% of Svalbard’s 3,000 inhabitants are Norwegians, with the remainder from various countries, including Russia, which operates a coal mine in the town of Barentsburg, home to about 400 people.
“We want to strengthen national control and develop the Norwegian presence on the island group,” stated Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl in the presentation of the updated Svalbard strategy. Mehl emphasized ensuring Norwegian ownership of crucial infrastructure and property, as well as enhancing energy supply security.
The updated strategy highlights the Norwegian state’s increased responsibility for energy supply to Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest town. Since the last strategy update in 2016, Svalbard has experienced significant changes, including population growth, diversification, and a rise in tourism.
“The security policy situation, both globally and in our immediate areas, is characterized by greater seriousness and greater unpredictability than when the previous Svalbard report was presented,” the government noted.
Addressing climate change impacts is also a priority, with the government aiming to limit population growth and cruise ship tourism to mitigate environmental damage. The polar region’s temperatures are warming four times faster than the global average, threatening Svalbard’s habitat for polar bears, reindeer, and other Arctic species. Glaciers, which cover over 60% of the archipelago’s territory, are also at risk.
This strategic move by Norway underscores the importance of Svalbard in geopolitical and environmental contexts, as the nation seeks to balance development with conservation and security.