Greenland and the geopolitics of critical minerals

The clean energy transition drives soaring demand for critical metals. In a review in this issue of One Earth, Vakulchuk and Overland show the vital role Central Asia could have mineral supply geopolitics. Here, I extend scope to an emerging mining hotspot, Greenland Arctic, discuss broader implications. world’s future needs will depend increasingly on minerals necessary technologies innovations that drive efforts decarbonization electrification. This is given impetus by 2015 Paris Agreement. Rare earth elements, example, are required manufacture permanent magnets used wind turbines as well components solar panels hybrid electric vehicles.1Alves Dias P. Bobba S. Carrara Plazzotta B. Role Earth Elements Wind Energy Electric Mobility. Joint Research Centre, 2020Google Scholar A World Bank study published 2020 suggests component production storage batteries alone, such aluminum, cobalt, lithium, manganese, nickel, rise more than 450% 2050.2Hund K. La Porta D. Fabregas T.P. Laing T. Drexhage J. Minerals Climate Action: intensity transition. Group, However, recent special report International Authority3IEAThe Critical Clean Transitions. IEA, 2021Google identified number risks associated with global key metals slow progress toward cleaner future. Many come from small producers operating only few countries. For cases rare top three producers—China, United States, Myanmar—control three-quarters output. China, however, far major producer exporter earths also dominant other defined critical.4Kalantzakos China Geopolitics Earths. Oxford University Press, 2018Google Ensuring access those raw materials high-technology applications, including developing renewable projects meeting challenge climate change, but manufacturing consumer electronics, has become urgent environmental economic matter. It geopolitical strategic issue.5Nakano Supply Chains. Center Strategic Studies, As Klinger illustrates, response China’s near dominance earths, campaigns been launched “to mine most forbidding frontiers: ecologically sensitive indigenous lands Amazon, war-torn Afghanistan, protected areas Greenland, depths oceans, even Moon.”6Klinger J.M. Frontiers: From terrestrial subsoils lunar landscapes. Cornell 2017Crossref Google Overland7Vakulchuk R. I. missing link analyses transition.One Earth. 2021; 4: 1678-1692Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (4) assess possibilities emergence region play minerals. reviewing resource base Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, authors these Asian states often overlooked assessments technologies, though they were suppliers industrial Soviet Union. They argue, shift extraction fossil fuels not bringing new interest industry Asia: it moving region’s importance into sharper focus. point out international attention now being geological resources demands greater understanding plays positioning its policy heavy investment there. player just Khanna puts it, Beijing “views world almost entirely through lens chains.”8Khanna Connectography: Mapping civilization. Random House, 2016Google not, he argues, intention occupy countries militarily or seek influence domestic politics secure resources, enabling facilitating smooth flow supplies. main ways do Belt Road Initiative (BRI) investments roads, harbors, maritime transport. element BRI Polar Silk Road, which was outlined white paper Arctic 2018 envisions northern development infrastructure. But looking high latitudes. four states, there growing Arctic. particular, Greenland’s potential supplying self-governing territory Kingdom Denmark ambitions political independence, featured scientific media reports about warming, plans exploit subsurface environments. While expressed funding Greenlandic projects, States themselves take advantage potential, markets, geostrategic location. underscored December when Iceland’s Ministry Foreign Affairs released called “Greenland Iceland New Arctic” business opportunities, cooperation, changing circumstances. report, based recommendations Committee appointed ministry, widely publicized garnered significant interest. points opportunities “A put unique position. Several overlapping factors indicate 21st century be prosperous industry.”9Government IcelandGreenland Affairs, first moves government formed after general election April 2021—a coalition Inuit Ataqatigiit Naleraq parties—was announce would ban uranium radioactive Three months later, July, announced suspending granting licenses oil exploration, explaining committed strategies energy, promoting hydropower contributing tackle change. premier, Múte Egede, emphasized path forward at Nations Framework Convention Change COP26 Glasgow November, declared join Agreement country had ambition emerge internationally recognized leader green energy. At COP26, joined ten national subnational governments form Beyond Oil Gas Alliance, delivering away gas production. Although exploration no longer appear promising hopeful investors sector, nonetheless remains heart much discourses independence. Mining companies interests Greenland—especially minerals—have reassured still open welcomes bids prospecting licenses. September 2021, Geological Survey carried seabed survey commissioned De Beers off west coast Maniitsoq phase determining presence marine diamond deposits. politicians representatives agencies responsible regulating extractive globetrot each year Europe, North America, Australia, marketing attractive (and welcoming of) companies, while viewed markets fish exports (a representation opened November 2021). government’s affirmation commitment when, July Circumpolar Council (ICC)-Greenland Economic Forum (AEC) separately parent organization, ICC (which one founding members AEC 2014), intent promote pro-mining stance argue extraction, along tourism, essential diversifying economy. move accede signatory own right means does wish bound Denmark’s commitments treaty, especially restrictions CO2 emissions hinder mines. European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), part Commission Action Plan, aims reduce Europe’s dependency third party carbon-neutral 2050. relying exclusively preferred option, view ERMA’s launch.10European CommissionERMA Launch.https://webcast.ec.europa.eu/erma-launch-european-raw-materials-allianceDate: Union supplier needs, earths. And Vakulchuck sector serious concern US security considerations, deeply concerned Chinese Greenland. American extended recently signing agreements set framework cooperation governance, technical engagement, capacity-building, opening consulate Nuuk. social impacts extracting raise questions around ethics inequities transition.11Heffron R.J. justice minerals.Extr. Ind. Soc. 2020; 7: 855-863PubMed stated aim “extract” revenue activities development, official provoked highly charged debates within nature desirability how may redefine place marked zones. same time, contested perceptions understandings environment apparent concerns grassroots organizations, conservation groups, threats community viability, wildlife, biodiversity. particularly pertinent fragile vulnerability All social, cultural, political, implications relations Denmark, world.12Nuttall M. Climate, society Greenland: Under great ice. Routledge, (21) transitionVakulchuk et al.One EarthDecember 17, 2021In BriefDemand rise. abundant neglected. we important economics Full-Text Open Access