In May, several of the world's most powerful men and women met in Nuuk to discuss the future of the Arctic. No huge new decisions emerged from the gathering but it did serve to reiterate yet again that the far North is the focus of increasing attention in the world of politics.

Access to new shipping routes and the extraction of raw materials are important reasons for this attention but so too are climate change and environmental issues.

“The Nordic countries have an incredible amount to offer in terms of the climate and the environment. We should work even more closely together, especially in the Arctic, where those two very themes are so much in focus,” says Greenland’s Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Palle Christiansen.

The potential environmental impact of new business adventures has generated heated debate in Greenland. Christiansen sees their approach to sustainability as one of the Nordic countries' major strengths.

“The fact that Greenland will now have to completely change the way it interacts with nature will place great demands on sustainability. This transformation has to be made hand in hand with the local population, so that we are able to face the future – both economically and in human terms – in a responsible manner,” he stresses.

(The quotes above are from the publication "10 Nordic politicians". Read the whole article here).