The Norwegian State Budget: Major Investments in Svalbard The Norwegian government proposes major investments in Svalbard in its budget proposal for 2026. The investments aim to promote settlement for families in the High North, strengthen research leadership and national control in Svalbard, and contribute to the cleanup of mining activities. "We are strengthening national control on Svalbard," says Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen.
70 Homes Will Be Removed From the Market in Svalbard In December this year, 70 homes will be removed from the rental market in Longyearbyen due to the risk of avalanches. The decision has elicited despair among the affected stakeholders.
Tourism Tax in Longyearbyen for Comment The Norwegian Minister of Industry, Cecilie Myrseth (Labor), is launching a visitor's tax for Longyearbyen. The next phase it to consider how this can be expanded to apply to cruise tourists as well.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, From Democracy to Aristocracy of Officials? Comment, Longyearbyen: I borrow some life experience from a friend living a varied life in Longyearbyen. "There have been some downs," he said, adding, "But there sure have been some uphills as well." Surveys show that the local population is happy in the town, while the business sector struggles in a near-endless bureaucratic anthill.
US Military Aircraft Not Allowed to Land in Svalbard The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected a US application to land a military aircraft at Svalbard airport this summer. "Norwegian authorities apply a very restrictive practice to diplomatic clearance of foreign military aircraft and ships," says the ministry's spokesperson.
Svalbard in the National Budget: Electricity Support, Education and Research The Norwegian government wants to give Longyearbyen NOK 100 million in electricity support in 2025. This will probably not be enough to prevent increased energy fees, says the community council chair. However, the proposed NOK 184 million for the University Center in Svalbard will contribute to the resumption of normal activity.
New Report on Svalbard’s Tolerance Limit: Sustainable Destination by 2025 A new report of Svalbard's tolerance limit uncovers knowledge gaps around the cruise industry's emissions. "The government must strengthen its efforts in gathering data on greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental effect of sea-based tourism, a task tourism cannot handle alone," says the leader of Visit Svalbard, Ronny Brunvoll.
Should People Be Living on Svalbard? Commentary: A parliament white paper is often followed by political measures. On Svalbard, things are different. Here, the political decisions come first, and the discussions follow. Should people really be living in Svalbard?
The End of Norway's Sole Norwegian-Owned Coal Power Plant On Thursday, October 19th, the coal power plant in Longyearbyen will close for good. The plant has provided warmth and light for the residents for over 40 years.
The Liberal Party and the Conservative Party Enters Into Cooperation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard The Svalbard Liberal Party and the Svalbard Conservative Party have formed a majority through a cooperation agreement and agreed on how the Longyearbyen local government is to be led throughout the next four years.
All Ready for the Transition From Coal to Diesel in Longyearbyen The transition from coal to diesel will occur in late October or early November when the tank facility in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, is filled with winter diesel.
High North Security in the Real Arctic Longyearbyen (High North News): Longyearbyen does not look like itself anymore. The city is barely recognizable, even to itself. And that does not only apply to architecture.
Store Norske Plans “Significant Upgrading” of Houses in Longyearbyen Store Norske is planning to invest over NOK 200 million in the property they own in Longyearbyen. The company calls it a "significant upgrade" and the property will go from maintenance backlog and poor insulation to meeting the demands for the technical and environmentally efficient solutions of the 2020s.
Close Co-Operation about Svalbard Last week, the government’s third minister came to visit Svalbard. The Ministers of Justice, Trade, and Climate and Environment cooperate closely about the future of the archipelago.
Svalbard Takes Its First Step Towards Becoming a Zero-Emission Community Longyearbyen has acquired a giant battery in its first step towards emission-free energy supply. Today, the town’s population is dependent on Norway’s only remaining operative coal power plant.
First Minister Meeting in Svalbard: “A Lot at Stake” This week, the Norwegian Ministers of Justice and Trade visited Longyearbyen. Soon, they are to make important decisions regarding the future of the archipelago.
Longyearbyen Gets Its First Honorary Consul Switzerland has appointed Marcel Schütz to the position of Honorary Consul in Longyearbyen.
Surprised at the Level of Snowmobile Pollution in Longyearbyen New research shows that snowmobiles in and around Longyearbyen pollute more than expected. And the Svalbard air is polluted the most during spring.
Now, the Future of Svalbard is Decided from a State Employee Office on the Mainland Commentary: How to help a business sector that is on its knees following the pandemic? According to the Norwegian state, this is best done through introducing new regulations at breakneck pace, regulations that are to be commented on and worked into new business models. We are in Svalbard, where nothing is as it was, nor how it should become.
The Population of Svalbard is Increasing: Record Number of Inhabitants Never before have there been more inhabitants in Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund. Norwegian citizens account for almost all of the growth.
Keeping the Old Election Regulation for Svalbard Makes Sense, Argues the Russian Embassy in Norway The Norwegian government wants to tighten regulations for foreign citizens’ right to vote and eligibility for Longyearbyen Local Council. The Russian embassy in Norway argues that it would make more sense to keep the current regulations.
Norwegian Government Announces New Energy Solution for Longyearbyen According to the Norwegian government, a new energy solution for Longyearbyen will be established in two to five years.
Man Killed by Polar Bear in Svalbard One man died after being attacked by a polar bear at a camping place outside Longyearbyen last night. The polar bear was shot and killed.
«No Restrictions on Returning to Svalbard Once Business Resumes» Svalbard Hotel Manager Stein-Ove Johannessen says foreign staff are positive to the government-proposed scheme for their going home, given that they are not excluded from returning. According to the Ministry of Justice, there are no restrictions for non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to return at a later stage.
Fears Consequences for Tourism if Foreign Workers are Sent Away from Svalbard In its draft for a new corona crisis package, the Norwegian government proposes to spend money on sending home foreign workers in Longyearbyen. Without this group, it will be harder for the local tourist industry to manage, argues Bjørn Johansen of the regional labor union LO Troms and Finnmark.
“We look forward to welcoming guests” After mandatory quarantine was introduced for incoming travelers in March due to Corona, Svalbard is no re-opening for travelers from the Norwegian mainland.
Prolong Stay in Trapper’s Cabin: “Isolation Gives Us Meaning” After 229 days in a 20 square meter trapper’s cabin from 1930 on Svalbard, Hilde Fålun Strøm and Sunniva Sørby were to finally return to civilization on 8 May and to be met with songs, celebration and long-awaited hugs from their near and dear ones. Covid-19 had other plans.
A Never-Ending Love Story: The Arctic Equality Ideal It must have been way back in 1986, I think, that I entered a ship deck in Longyearbyen for the first time ever. A so-called ‘skårunge’, a rookie, while the rest of the passengers thought I was a sailor, visiting what was to unfold before me as an Arctic paradise. Since then, it never left me. It is a never-ending love story.
Venstre vil vrake blokktenkingen på Svalbard Venstres toppkandidat, Terje Aunevik, mener han er best egnet til å få de andre partiene til å samle seg om flest mulig saker.
Hilde og Sunniva skal overvintre i ei bittelita hytte midt i ødemarka på Svalbard Hilde Fålun Strøms livslange drøm er i ferd med å gå i oppfyllelse. Neste fredag drar hun og Sunniva Sørheim for å overvintre på Svalbard.
Hilde and Sunniva Will Spend All Winter at a Small Cabin in the Middle of Nowhere on Svalbard Hilde Fålun Strøm's lifelong dream is about to come true. Next Friday she and Sunniva Sørheim departs from Longyearbyen to over-winter on Svalbard.
Kina er ute etter å utvide satellittdekningen i Arktis. Eksperter advarer mot militære formål. Kina utfører tester for å forbedre bakke- og satellittbasert kommunikasjon i Arktis. Slike tiltak kan tyde på en innsats for å normalisere shipping-basert økonomisk aktivitet i området, men eksperter advarer mot at forbedret satellittkommunikasjon også kan tjene militære formål.
Arctic communities perceive differently the impact of shipping on their environments Several communities across the Arctic are experiencing the growth in ship traffic. The environmental concerns of this rapid development differ greatly among the study communities.
Expert Communities Push for Svalbard Preparedness Base A united Norwegian preparedness community has worked for five years on a detailed plan for how to improve security in the High North. One of the top priority recommendations is the establishing of an Arctic preparedness base in Longyearbyen. – After all, we have the answers, says Tor Husjord of the Northern Maritime Forum, MFN.
Comment: Arctic Cruise tourism and Polar bear encounters Frigg Jørgensen, executive director of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), comment on the recent and very unfortunate incident in Svalbard where a polar bear was killed in self-defense after attacking a man from a cruise vessel.
Op-ed: When Longyearbyen Adapts to Increasing Ship Traffic The Arctic is changing and that affects our local communities. Changes to climate and ecosystems may create both opportunities and challenges to business and management. Reduction of sea ice makes coastal communities in the Arctic more available for ship traffic. At the same time, we know too little about how this affects these communities.
