Lapland, Finland

Regional Demonstrators

“Renewing Arctic tourism for a resilient and regenerative year-round economy”

About the Region:

Geography: The northernmost region of Finland characterised by vast subarctic wilderness.
Lapland is the northernmost part of Finland and the EU. The region is sparsely populated, with long distances, a challenging climate, ample natural resources, and the world’s cleanest air in inhabited areas.

Key Sectors: Tourism (highly seasonal), forestry, and reindeer husbandry

Role: Demonstrator Region

Due to climate change, the Arctic region is warming twice as fast as other regions, with 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 current physical environmental changes pose direct threats, especially to 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 alters the physical conditions of the tourism operating environment, such as 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 natural events. MountResilience will also create models of a company-specific adaptation plan that increase the know-how of reindeer herding and tourism entrepreneurs and their 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.

Climate Challenges in Lapland

• Unpredictable winter conditions (lack of snow in early winter) affect tourism
• Fragile Arctic ecosystems vulnerable to increased foot traffic and warming

What has been done so far in the Mount Resilience project?

Climate change adaptation plans in the tourism sector in Lapland have so far gathered 10 tourism companies from the pilot area. Workshops have been organised with project partners to initiate adaptation planning. The adaptation training curriculum is currently codeveloped 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 of municipalities in Lapland was conducted on their climate change adaptation plans, yielding a response rate of 81%. The results show that the climate work of Lapland’s municipalities remains fragmented and largely in its early stages. The greatest risks of climate change in Lapland municipalities include 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. The focus has been on the current state analysis of climate change adaptation, the climate change risk assessment, and