A perspective on the possibility to realize ‘Climate Justice’ for Norwegian Sámi: Fosen Vind Project

Abstract

Sámi Reindeer herders in Trøndelag county of Norway insist that Fosen Vind project is in operation taking up the grazing land for their reindeers posing a threat to their land for living. They maintain that it is in violation of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples stipulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Norwegian Fosen Vind project exemplifies a major case that local people in certain region are likely to get exposed to the risk of ‘Climate Justice’ by running renewable energy plant or the accompanying installations or facilities. Strengthening the authority of Norwegian municipalities regarding installation of wind power generation and legal guarantee of the veto, and need for cooperation among the municipalities and the Sámi through implementation of the Zoning Plan, and arranging dialogue window of consultative group consisting of the representatives of operators of the wind power plant and the local people can be the feasible options to take into consideration to materialize the ‘Climate Justice’ for the local people around the wind power plant or the relevant installations However, before any of the options, it is significantly important that the Zoning Plan that comprehends the permit procedure for land use should be effectively put in place. And for that purpose, legal guarantee for land ownership of people residing around the area of installation of wind power plant and the relevant legal review of it and cementing clarity of the ownership should become safety for the likely conflicting case of ‘Climate Justice’ even involving the other renewable energy plants.