Emilie Broek, Research Analyst at SIPRI, presented new research findings at the Arctic Frontiers Conference held in Tromsø, Norway.
Emilie Broek presented at the scientific session on “Adaptive management of rapidly changing Arctic ecosystems using interdisciplinary and system-science approaches”. Broek delivered the presentation “The Involvement of Civil Society Organizations in Arctic Governance.”
The SIPRI Insights paper is an output from the Mistra Geopolitics programme, co-written with Dr. Nicholas Olczak and Prof. Lisa Dellmuth from Stockholm University. Emelie, Nicholas and Lisa are all part of the Sustainable Oceans research team within Mistra Geopolitics.

The investigation explores the role Civil Society Organizations play in the governance of the Arctic, such as indigenous people organisations and environmental NGOs. In addition, the research examines what legitimacy beliefs these organisations have and how these can impact their participation in Arctic governance.
What is the role Civil Society Organizations play in Arctic governance?
Based on the research findings, Civil Society Organizations monitor the regional commitments made within the Arctic region, strengthen the implementation of policies, engage in various types of advocacy, support information sharing, and provide input during geopolitical crises.
Another role civil society organizations take is creating awareness of the importance of protecting both the Arctic environment and its inhabitants, which can lead to changes in regulation on renewable energy projects, commercial fishing, transport of heavy oil and protection of marine wildlife, to name a few.
Improving governance in the Arctic Council
According to a survey conducted in Sweden, members of Civil Society Organisations have the least confidence in Arctic cooperation compared to other stakeholders such as those working in public administration, research and political institutions.
“Although Civil Society Organizations engage in the Arctic Council, we found that this participation is sometimes passive and limited. Therefore, to increase the legitimacy of the Arctic Council it’s important to strengthen this participation and to build participatory ways to disclose information,” said Emilie Broek, Research Analyst at SIPRI and in the Sustainable Oceans team of Mistra Geopolitics.
Mistra Geopolitics researchers on Sustainable Oceans

Emilie Broek

Nicholas Olczak

Lisa Dellmuth
Text by Ana Calvo, Communications Assistant, and edited by Ylva Rylander, Communications Officer at SEI.