The report was carried out by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR), and is based on a compilation of new research from Sápmi across the Nordic countries as well as broad participation from Sámi stakeholders in Norway.
– Climate change is happening here and now, and the consequences are clearly felt in Sápmi. If we are to succeed with climate adaptation here, Sámi traditional knowledge must be given a clear place. This report gives us better knowledge to safeguard Sámi interests, says Minister for Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.
– Climate change has negative consequences for traditional Sámi nature management, and reindeer herding is particularly vulnerable. This is important knowledge to include in the work of adapting society to a changing climate, says Hilde Singsaas, Director of the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency, in collaboration with the expert committee on climate adaptation, has mapped out how climate change affects Sámi culture, industries and society in Sápmi.
The report finds that reindeer herding is particularly vulnerable because of changing snow and ice conditions, greater unpredictability, and reduced room for adaptation. Sámi fishing is also affected. Traditional Sámi livelihoods depend on flexibility — moving between areas, combining different types of work, and using natural resources throughout the year — but climate change, land-use pressure, and development projects are making that flexibility harder to maintain.
Norway’s climate and environment minister, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, says Sámi traditional knowledge must have a clear role in climate adaptation. The findings will feed into Norway’s new national climate vulnerability analysis, expected in early 2027, which will guide future climate adaptation policy.
Source: Miljødirektoratet
Photo: Director Anders Oskal at the International Reindeer Husbandry Centre (ICR), Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen and Professor Svein D. Mathiesen. PHOTO: DAN ROBERT LARSEN / NRK
About the report
This report describes the impact of climate change on practitioners of Sami culture, industry and society.
The report compiles knowledge about the consequences of climate change for Sami culture, industry and society, with a main emphasis on Sami traditional nature management.
The background to this assignment is the request from the Environment Agency and the Expert Committee on Climate Adaptation to strengthen the basis for the national climate vulnerability analysis and the expert committee's report by highlighting Sami perspectives on climate change, climate adaptation and measures, as well as the consequences of these changes for Sami culture, industry and society today and in the future.
The work is based on a literature review and a number of participatory meetings. The findings show that climate change is already affecting Sami nature management and economic activities.
Download report here
