Assessing the sustainable development of megaprojects in the Circumpolar North involves looking at socio-economic and environmental impacts, while studying the processes that enable citizen participation. Two megaprojects in Iceland and Canada are evaluated through these lenses, and lessons learned are derived for the sustainable planning of future megaprojects. The publication is available online.

"Mega-project planning in the Circumpolar North - broadening the horizon, gaining insight, empowering local stakeholders" is a publication which aimed at assessing the planning processes of Arctic mega-projects in the light of sustainable development, commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project compares two case studies: the construction of Kárahnjúkar hydro project and an Alcoa aluminium smelter in East Iceland and the development of the Kearl Oil Sands near Wood Buffalo, in Alberta, Canada. The comparison investigates the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of mega-projects in the Circumpolar North, as well as participation in the planning process. The authors derive insights and lessons learnt as regards sustainable planning of mega-projects for the benefit of decision-makers and the general public. The report can be downloaded. Supplemental resources regarding the publication can be found on the project website.

Further Links:

• Ecologic Institute Presentation: EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment - Project Results
• Ecologic Institute Publication: The EU's Arctic Footprint

Keywords: megaproject, oil sands, hydro, Kárahnjúkar, Kearl, aluminium, local, communities, participation

Citation: Jóhannesson, Hjalti; Colette de Roo and Zoë Robaey. 2011. "Sustainable Planning of Megaprojects in the Circumpolar North - broadening the horizon, gaining insight empowering local stakeholders". Project Report. University of Akureyri Research Centre, Akureyri, commissioned.
Authors: Hjalti Jóhannesson, Colette de Roo, Zoë Robaey
Year: 2011
Editors: Arctic Portal
Pages: 83
Language: English
Reference type: commissioned report
Price: Free
Table of contents:
Acknowledgements

1. Summary
2. Introduction
   1. Structure of this report
   2. The two case study regions, their local particularities and regional similarities
      Northern Alberta, Canada - Kearl Oil Sands
      Eastern Iceland - Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
   3. Introduction to the two case studies and a summary of their specific methodology
      Kearl Oil Sands
      Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
3. Thematic synthesis of Megaprojects in the North
   1. Socio-economic impacts
      Kearl oil sands
      Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
      Main similarities and differences - socio-economic impacts
   2. Participation in the planning process
      Kearl Oil Sands
      Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
      Main similarities and differences – participation in the planning process
4. Lessons learned
5. Broadening the local view on Circumpolar Megaprojects
   1. Objective
   2. Method
   3. Sources and material
   4. Outreach – impressions
6. References
   Ilustrations, maps and other web sources
   Appendix II – Main Actors in the Kearl Oil Sands controversy
   Appendix III - Infosheets as they are available via the web tool "Megaproject Universe"