Applying the DPSIR framework to a Nordic Arctic context – opportunities and challenges

The Nordic Arctic connects an identity of pristine nature and cultural uniqueness, but it is also characterized by rising industries that continuously compete for an array of natural resources. Expanding economic sectors, land use, and increasing material extraction puts pressure on the environment, producing social concerns. This stresses the need for continuous environmental impact assessments that study Arctic change caused by key industry activities. This study applied the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to 15 Nordic Arctic case-study locations and 2 Alpine case-study locations that are characterized by key economic sectors, including forestry, aquaculture, mining, tourism, and indigenous industries. Findings from the applied DPSIR frameworks indicate that the DPSIR systematizes and analyzes vast amounts of data on Arctic environmental impacts and change but also functions as a powerful communication tool in this context, enabling communication between researchers, decisionmakers, and other stakeholders.