Lapland, Finland

Regional Demonstrators

Lapland is the northernmost part of Finland and the EU. The region is a sparsely populated area with long distances, challenging climate conditions, ample natural resources, and the world’s cleanest air in inhabited areas.  

Due to climate change, the Arctic region is warming up twice as fast as other regions, which has severe consequences for people and their livelihoods. The economic structure of the municipality of Enontekiö is largely based on traditional nature-based livelihoods: reindeer herding, fishing, and tourism. The present physical environmental change causes direct threats, especially to the reindeer herding. Changes in grazing conditions make it difficult for the reindeer to survive. In Lapland, the river Teno has already faced several environmental challenges, which are either partial consequences or indirect consequences of climate change. Climate change also causes physical changes in the operating environment for tourism, for example, through changes in snow cover and precipitation. 

Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) are a tool used to map citizens’ views and experiences regarding the effect of climate change on the local environment. They collect and share information on climate-induced changes and events in nature. MountResilience will also create models of a company-specific adaptation plan that increase the know-how of reindeer herding and tourism entrepreneurs and its preparation, namely for the use of new solutions. Lastly, the project will develop a model/method of company/business group-specific adaptation coaching. The model can be transferred as a product blank to livelihood development organisations and companies offering training, counselling, and coaching services.

What has been done so far?

Climate change adaptation plans in the tourism sector in Lapland so far have gathered ten tourism companies from the pilot area. Workshops have been organised with project partners to initiate the development of adaptation planning. The adaptation training curriculum is currently co-developed with expert support. The aim is to support each pilot company in producing a climate adaptation plan that is relevant, practical, and beneficial for business continuity in Arctic conditions. 

A survey for the municipalities in Lapland was conducted about their climate change adaptation plans, with a response rate of 81%. The results show that the climate work of Lapland’s municipalities is still fragmented and mostly in its early stages. The greatest risks of climate change in Lapland municipalities are related to floods, changes in the quantity and quality of snow and ice, a shortening of the snow season, and increased winds.  

In Utsjoki, several workshops were held to local reindeer herders, locals, local schools and local decision-makers​. Focus has been on the current state analysis of climate change adaptation, climate change risk assessment, and discussion about coaching needs. In Enontekiö, workshops were held for the local decision-makers and the project was presented in local events.