Arctic governance and indigenous rights: extractivism, climate change, and the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles

Abstract

The Arctic is undergoing a critical transformation driven by rapid climate change, rising geopolitical tensions, and expanding extractive activities linked to fossil fuels and strategic minerals. Indigenous peoples (Sámi, Inuit, Gwich’in) face accelerating ecosystem degradation and increasing industrial encroachment on their lands, cultures, and livelihoods. This article examines major regional conflicts and the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, revealing persistent gaps in consultation, consent, and remediation. It argues that the Arctic’s future depends on binding co-governance models that integrate Indigenous knowledge, strengthen climate justice, and ensure a non-colonial, equitable energy transition.

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