abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Story

21 Dec 2018

Norway to build wind farm despite UN calls to suspend project over concerns of impact on indigenous herders’ livelihoods

Construction for Norway’s largest onshore wind project, Fosen Wind, began in 2016. One of the affected areas, "Storheia" is of great importance for the local Southern Sami reindeer-herding community. In December 2018, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination asked Norway to suspend the project so it could examine a complaint that the project would disturb traditional reindeer herding activities of the Sami people.

Norway's Petroleum and Energy Ministry however said it would proceed with the wind park, which is being developed by the Fosen Vind consortium - owned by Statkraft (the Norwegian State Energy Company) and Nordic Wind Power, a consortium of European investors including Credit Suisse and BKW Energy. The Southern Sami people and the Society for Threatened Peoples are calling on Statkraft and Credit Suisse and BKW Energy to stop the project, withdraw the investment and to commit to the principle of “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” (FPIC) in all future investments.

Credit Suisse, BKW Energy and Statkraft commented on the concerns raised in Swiss media reports. More information is available in German here.