Economic Brief 3 - Non-Energy Resource Extraction (mining and fisheries): Governance, Justice, and Sustainability

This brief discusses the governance and impact of (Sub-)Arctic fisheries and mining, highlighting the importance of justice, sustainability, and ecosystem services based on findings from the JUSTNORTH case studies. These sectors are governed by a complex mix of policies, regulations, ownership frameworks, and standards that influence who benefits and who bears the burdens. Assessing justice and sustainability requires examining different spatial scales, recognizing that what benefits global sustainability might involve unsustainable practices at the local level. There's a notable contrast between the distribution of socio-economic benefits and environmental impacts, which can worsen existing inequalities. Procedural justice hinges on the process, timing, and involvement of stakeholders/rightsholders in consultations. Concerns about opposition to energy development are not exclusive to the oil and gas sector; the approach to project development matters more than the specific technology or energy type. Thus, justifying renewable energy development solely based on decarbonization efforts isn't sufficient; considerations of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) must be balanced with other sustainable development goals.