Svalbard environmental legislation: ecology or politics

This study provides an examination of the environmental legislation of Svalbard with a particular focus on the geopolitical and environmental challenges currently confronting the region. The primary focus of this analysis is the tightening of environmental norms by Norway. The authors hypothesize that this tightening may be related not only to environmental concerns, but also to political goals of limiting the Russian presence in the Arctic. The paper comprises a comprehensive analysis of the primary legislative acts and ancillary regulatory legal documents pertinent to the domain of environmental protection within Svalbard. The Svalbard Environmental Protection Act is a particular point of emphasis in this context. The list of documents, which were adopted in 2024 in addition to and on the basis of this law, includes restrictions for tourists, as well as measures to protect wildlife. The correlation between the tightening of norms and climatic changes, as well as the increase in anthropogenic load due to the growth of tourism, has been indicated. The authors draw parallels between Norwegian and Russian environmental laws, emphasizing the similarity of measures to protect ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, there is a mention of Russian policies and standards. The modifications to Svalbard's legislation have been demonstrated to be founded on scientific data and are intended to safeguard its distinctive characteristics. However, the implementation of these modifications may also carry political implications, particularly in the context of the competition for dominance in the Arctic.