The Arctic is changing. The climate is warming, tourism is increasing, and ecosystems are under pressure. But the laws meant to protect nature and Sámi livelihoods vary widely between countries. The new research project Adapting LAw for MOving Targets: Climate Change, Overtourism and Biodiversity in Indigenous Arctic National Parks (ALAMOT) aims to tackle these challenges – and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) is one of its key partners.

The NordForsk-funded project has succeeded in strong competition against leading Nordic research institutions. Out of 199 applications, 36 advanced to the second round, and only nine were ultimately selected for funding.

ALAMOT will analyze how laws and policies can be used to ensure sustainable management of national parks in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The project is led by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), with Minna Pappila as project leader. FNI and Mid Sweden University (MIUN) are central partners.

FNI’s team includes senior researchers Kristin Rosendal, Ole Kristian Fauchald, and Viviana Vasquez, experts in environmental law and resource management.

Differences in legal frameworks lead to different solutions

The project will map how legal frameworks in Norway, Sweden, and Finland influence the management of national parks and indigenous rights.

'Law is a powerful tool for change. It can impose restrictions but also create incentives for sustainable solutions. We will investigate how regulations function in practice and what changes are needed to address the pressures on Arctic nature and Sámi livelihoods,' says Fauchald.

'Even though the natural conditions in the Nordic countries are similar, their legal frameworks and governance structures are different: Norway is outside the EU’s biodiversity policies and the responsibility for managing protected areas lies with municipalities in Norway. We want to identify which solutions work,' says Rosendal.

Climate change and tourism challenge Arctic management

Research for ALAMOT will focus on national parks in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, including Treriksrøysa, Reisa, and Rohkunborri.

'Climate change is impacting ecosystems. For instance, we see that crowberry is spreading at the expense of lichen, which is important for reindeer grazing. This poses a potential threat to both biodiversity and the Sámi way of life, says Rosendal.

‘The climate and nature crises demand interdisciplinary research and international collaboration. ALAMOT will provide knowledge that will be crucial for shaping future policies.'

FNI is working with Professor Øyvind Ravna, a legal expert at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway.
'Sámi livelihoods are directly affected by climate change and land use. Ravna provides invaluable insight into how legal frameworks impact these traditional industries,' says Rosendal.

At the same time, overtourism is an increasing challenge in the north.
'If you board a plane to Tromsø in winter, it’s striking how many passengers are Asian tourists. Tourism is an important industry, but it also puts added pressure on nature and Sámi traditions,' says Rosendal.

FNI Director: ‘Important initiative in challenging times’

FNI Director Iver B. Neumann, emphasizes that ALAMOT fits perfectly with FNI’s strategic focus on the Arctic, climate, and resource governance.

'With the U.S. attacking both international research collaboration and freedom of expression, it's especially nice to see this project strengthening Nordic cooperation,’ says Iver B. Neumann.

Running from autumn 2025 to 2029, ALAMOT and will provide policymakers with concrete recommendations on how legal frameworks and regulations can improve the governance of Arctic areas.