Saami Council highlights the Fosen case
At a breakfast meeting at the Norwegian Embassy in Iceland, where also H.R.H Crown Prince Håkon of Norway attended, Anja Márjá Nystø Keskitalo addressed the Fosen case in her speech. Read the full speech below.
Buorre iđit
Your Royal Highness, minister, president, excellencies and esteemed guests,
I have just spent two great days in Reykjavik discussing food sovereignty with emerging leaders from the Arctic. Meeting other Arctic youth is always such an valuable experience. We share many of the same challenges across our region. One challenge in particular is how Indigenous Peoples knowledge systems are undervalued in decision-making. This is true also when it comes to the the green transition.
The Saami Council represents the Sámi civil society and is one of six Permanent Participants to the Arctic Council. We are concerned that the voices of Indigenous Peoples are not being heard when it comes to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Our environment is undergoing profound and rapid changes. Not only changes caused by climate, but also by the attempts to mitigate climate change. Increased industry development in the name of the green transition is placing an additional burden on Sámi livelihoods.
This week it is difficult to ignore that exactly one year ago the Norwegian Supreme court concluded that the Fosen Wind energy projects vialotes the rights of the Sámi reindeer herders of Fovsen Njaarke in Norway. 151 wind turbines, roads and powerlines have destroyed winter pastures and migration routes crucial for maintaining sustainable reindeer husbandry in the area. And the reindeer herders are still waiting for action. This is a devastating example of what happens when the Sámi voice is not heard from the beginning in decisions affecting our land. The transition away from unsustainable energy production is essential, but we must find alternatives that do not involve massive land encroachment, nature destruction and human rights vialotions.
We must shift the focus of green transition being about obtaining cheap energy, and instead find ways to keep materials in circulation and contribute to lower consumption.
We call for climate justice which means finding solutions that not only reduce emissions or protect nature, but that do so in a way which creates a fairer, more just and equal world in the process. We need a platform for the green transition in which power of definition and decision-making are shared and Indigenous Peoples knowledge is valued. Then we will find solutions that will benefit the entire global community.
I hope you keep this in mind in upcoming discussions at the Arctic Circle Assembly.
Giitu. Takk fyrir. Thank you.
