Greenland and Denmark finalize cooperation agreement on marine pollution response
Greenland and Denmark have made an agreement on environmental preparedness to better respond to environmental incidents in northern waters.
The agreement will allow Denmark’s Armed Forces and Greenland’s government to share pollution control resources.
“I am very pleased with the new cooperation agreement between the Armed Forces and (Greenland’s) Self-Government,” said Jess Svane, Greenland’s Minster for Business, Energy, Research and Labour, in a news release on Tuesday.
“The agreement means that the equipment and capabilities that Greenland Oil Spill Response Ltd. has, for the common good. The marine environment and the protection of our nature are always a top priority for the Greenlandic Government.”
(Greenland Oil Spill Response Ltd is a company set up to respond to oil spills in Greenlandic waters.)
Storing resources
The agreement will not change the division of responsibilities between Denmark and Greenland, but will allow the two entities to have access to each others pollution control equipment, training exercises and storage facilities.
One example under the agreement is that the Danish Armed Forces will be able to store equipment in Greenland’s oil spill response facilities to help fight oil pollution in waters around Greenland, while the Greenlandic government would be able to call on Danish Armed Forces units and expertise for support in responding to marine pollution in their area.
“Protecting the marine environment is extremely important,” said Denmark’s Defense Minister Trine Bramsen.
“Not least when it comes to the unique nature around Greenland. It is our responsibility to ensure that we leave nature in good condition. With this agreement, we see the value of close cooperation between Greenland and Denmark . With the use of our shared knowledge and resources, we reach further.”
Write to Eilis Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories around the North:
Canada: New “Frankenstein” shipping fuel could further pollute the Arctic, environmental groups say, Radio Canada International
Finland: Finland investigates oil leak risks from Baltic Sea shipwrecks, Yle News
Greenland/Denmark: COVID-19 could delay Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic strategy, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: New guideline launched for Arctic-specific risk assessment in shipping, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland to restrict heavy fuel oil use in territorial waters, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Shipping figures rising on Russia’s Northern Sea Route, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: Carnival Corporation ships switch to cleaner fuel on Arctic cruises, Radio Canada International
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