Future Arctic Law and Governance – (FALG)

About FALG

The Future Arctic Law and Governance (FALG) project is an interdisciplinary and collaborative research initiative led by The Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea (NCLOS). The project aims to address the evolving challenges of legal regulation and governance in the Arctic marine environment, amidst profound environmental, geopolitical, and institutional transformations.

The Arctic region is experiencing unprecedented change. Accelerated climate change is driving the melting of sea ice, altering ecosystems, and contributing to the loss of biodiversity and fragile habitats. These environmental shifts are compounded by a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, marked by rising strategic tensions and military activity, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These interconnected developments raise critical questions about the adequacy and resilience of existing legal and institutional frameworks governing the Arctic Ocean. While the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) continues to serve as the cornerstone of Arctic marine governance, its capacity to address complex, emerging pressures necessitates renewed legal scrutiny.

Objectives

FALG sets out to:

• Investigate how global environmental and geopolitical drivers are influencing the future governance of Arctic marine areas.
• Analyse the capacity of existing legal frameworks, especially UNCLOS, to respond to evolving challenges.
• Contribute to the development of forward-looking, evidence-based legal responses that safeguard ecological integrity, support institutional adaptation, and enable long-term value creation in the region.

Research and Academic Activities

The project seeks to establish and maintain a robust international academic network dedicated to advancing legal research and cooperation in Arctic governance. It brings together legal scholars and Arctic experts from Norway, the wider Nordic region, and international research institutions.

Key activities include:

• Collaborative seminars and thematic workshops to facilitate academic exchange and foster interdisciplinary insights into Arctic legal developments.
• Visiting researcher schemes to support international academic mobility and collaborative research.
• Development of new doctoral-level courses, designed to train the next generation of legal scholars in critical, context-aware approaches to Arctic governance.

Through these initiatives, FALG aims to create a lasting platform for scholarly engagement and capacity-building, contributing to the development of legal regimes that are principled, adaptable, and responsive to the Arctic’s rapidly changing realities. FALG responds to a pressing need for integrated, critical legal scholarship on Arctic transformation. It engages with both foundational international legal norms and the emerging demands of sustainability and resilience. The project aims not only to examine the limitations of existing legal frameworks but also to articulate innovative pathways for reform and development.

Project Period

The project runs from July 2023 to June 2027. 

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