Governing Uranium in the Realm

Much of the current debate on uranium extraction in Greenland is around clarifying issues of competences and authorities between it and Denmark. In 2009, theAct on Greenland Self-Governmentgranted Greenland authority over its natural resources, introducing a complex and mixed legal system within the Danish Kingdom.Denmark and Greenland along with the Faroe Islands, are linked within the‘Commonwealth of the Realm’, where Greenland enjoys autonomous authority in most domestic affairs including raw materials area while Denmark remains constitutionally responsible for foreign, defence, and security policy.

This report examines the Realm’s pathway towards uranium supplier status. Its analysis can assist in informing policy choices related to nuclear safeguards, nuclear security and inventory controls.

The report also investigates the evolution of the so called zero tolerance policy, which claims a moratorium on uranium exploration and mining. According to a 2008 report from the Greenland Home Rule, the zero tolerance policy was decided upon in 1988. The research informing this DIIS report demonstrates otherwise as no decision was taken in 1988.