Work

Applying the DPSIR framework to a Nordic Arctic context – opportunities and challenges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Nordic Arctic connects an identity of pristine nature and cultural uniqueness, but it is also characterized by rising industries that continuously compete for an array of natural resources. Expanding economic sectors, land use, and increasing material extraction puts pressure on the environment, producing social concerns. This stresses the need for continuous environmental impact assessments that study Arctic change caused by key industry activities. This study applied the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to 15 Nordic Arctic case-study locations and 2 Alpine case-study locations that are characterized by key economic sectors, including forestry, aquaculture, mining, tourism, and indigenous industries. Findings from the applied DPSIR frameworks indicate that the DPSIR systematizes and analyzes vast amounts of data on Arctic environmental impacts and change but also functions as a powerful communication tool in this context, enabling communication between researchers, decisionmakers, and other stakeholders.

Source: Journal of Land Use Science

DOI: 10.1080/1747423x.2025.2557798

Authors: Helge Marius Flick, Jukka Tapani Teräs, Bård Helge Kårtveit

Institution: NORCE Research AS

Language: English

Topic: Environmental and Social Impact Assessments

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme