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In this paper, the authors offer – for the first time – an analysis of a selection of agreements involving Sami reindeer herders in Sweden. They also develop and apply criteria for evaluating agreements, criteria developed in collaboration with Sami reindeer herders and focused on the welfare of reindeer affected by development projects.
In the European north, there is a growing trend for Sámi reindeer herding communities to enter negotiated agreements with developers on projects that aim to exploit land and natural resources. This paper offers, for the first time, an evaluation of the content of a selection of these agreements, drawing on a sample of 15 agreements from five communities in Sweden. The evaluation was conducted from a Sámi perspective on how the agreements affect the ability of herding communities to safeguard reindeer wellbeing. The overall conclusion is that the agreements provide some positive contributions to mitigate harm to the reindeer, but also contribute considerable risks. The authors argue that agreements might have a meaningful role to play in the integration of Sámi rights in land and resource decisions, but herding communities have considerable space to increase the range of clauses – guided by larger goals of Sámi self-determination.
Project / An empirical investigation of "extraction contracting" between green transition industries and the Indigenous Sámi peoples.
Media coverage / The Guardian cites SEI's Rasmus Kløcker Larsen on a study about how developer contracts affect Sami reindeer herders in Sweden.
Feature / Annette Löf and Andrew Butler share insights from the unique region of Sápmi highlighting the intricate connections between land, culture and development
Project / Green transition has become a catch-all solution, but it's not without its trade-offs and conflicts. We seek to highlight them to ensure a just transition.
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