Our Arctic Neighbors: Industry works with Russian reindeer herders

Researchers, reindeer herders, local authorities and industry representatives have signed a “declaration of co-existence” between nomadic reindeer herders and the oil and gas industry in the Russian north. The declaration was drafted at an international workshop in December 2007 and was one of the results of the four-year ENSINOR (Environmental and Social Impacts of Industrialization in Northern Russia) project at the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre.

The focus is on the Yamal and Nenets Autonomous Okrugs in northwestern Russia, where most of the Arctic oil and gas development is taking place, but it is also relevant to other northern regions, the declaration notes. Its first statement is to acknowledge that “fruitful coexistence of indigenous livelihoods and oil and gas extraction is the expressed goal among all three interested sides in reindeer herding, industry and the state administration.”

The declaration provides numerous guidelines for oil and gas development aimed at enabling the reindeer herders to continue with their nomadic lifestyle if they choose to rather than taking up a sedentary life. The guidelines come under the headings “Timely, faithful and meaningful consultation,” “Transparent and equitable distribution of benefits,” “The need for capacity building” and “Environmental performance of companies.”

—Sarah Hurst