The new scramble for the Arctic

There are various ways in which the Arctic’s mineral could be divided up. The most idealistic way would be to allow the mineral wealth under the ocean beyond the strict EEZs to be developed for the benefit of all humankind through some form of international agency, such as the UN International Seabed Authority.

A second option would be simply to divide the ocean into national control via longitudinal lines drawn down from the North Pole.

A third approach would be some form of division taking into account the proportionality of the lengths of the various coastlines (for example 15 per cent of Swedish territory is in the Arctic Circle but it has no Arctic coastline, while Iceland is considered an Arctic country even though its landmass is outside the Arctic Circle).

A common concern in all these options should be the preservation of the environment and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Additionally, in keeping with recent developments in diplomacy, it would be important for international NGOs to also have a say in how the options were considered.

In short, the Arctic is entering a new era of great complexity. But we managed to achieve a safe system for running Antarctica - and so could yet do so the same for the Arctic