EU-Norway Green Alliance between vision and reality: Exploring the potential and barriers in the critical minerals and battery sectors
Norway, a key supplier of hydrocarbons and clean energy, can play a pivotal role in the EU's green transition by providing critical raw materials and batteries. However, political and regulatory obstacles must be addressed to realize this potential. Norway's alignment with the European Green Deal and its commitment to sustainability initiatives make this easier on the onset, but challenges remain. The EU's regulatory landscape, including the European Green Deal, Critical Raw Materials Act, and Battery Regulation, aims to create a sustainable and competitive battery industry. Norway's policies, such as the Green Industrial Initiative and the Mineral Strategy, align with these goals, focusing on efficient processes, circular economy, and sustainable industry development. The report presents case studies of three significant mining projects in Norway: Nussir (copper), Nordic Mining (rutile and garnet) and Skaland Graphite. All three projects highlight the complexities of domestic mining, including regulatory hurdles, environmental concerns, and opposition from local communities and indigenous groups. These case studies underscore the need for balanced approaches that consider both economic benefits and environmental protection. Note: The research for this report and writing of the first draft was conducted while Skaiå Larsen, Larsen og Godal were graduate students at the University of Oslo. All further research, writing and editing, as well as the final formulation of policy recommendations was conducted by Szulecki.
Ole Mathias Rustad
Ole worked as a master student at NUPI. In his MA thesis, Ole wrote about the Russian oppositional diaspora in Georgia and Norway, analysing how t...
Edel Mari Buhr Ødegård
Edel worked as a master's student in the Defence and Security research group in 2025. She wrote her thesis about the use of artifical intelligence...
Vilde Friis Ruud
Vilde was a master's student at NUPI in 2025, where she was affiliated with the research group for Russia, Asia, and international trade. She wrot...
Caroline Saastad
Caroline Saastad was a master's student in the research group on peace, conflict and development in 2025. For her master's thesis, she examined th...
A warmer Arctic in colder geopolitical climate: What role for the private sector?
• The Arctic is experiencing considerable physical and geopolitical change affecting states, Indigenous peoples and various stakeholders. • Private sector actors are also affected by climate change, geopolitical developments and economic trends in the Arctic, although the impacts on and potential governance role of the private sector in securing safety and stability in the Arctic are often neglected in policy analyses. • This policy note outlines key stressors in the region and gives recommendations as to how the private sector can contribute to a safe and stable Arctic by supporting governance and sharing knowledge.
A Postliberal Global Order? Challenge(r)s to the Liberal West
In a new report, NUPI’s senior researcher Minda Holm looks closer at which international order it is that is under pressure. What is the issue with seeing the world through the lens of a post-1945 Liberal International or Rules-Based Order? What do actors like Russia and China have in common with the populist radical right in their perspectives on global politics? And what does Donald Trump’s second term entail for the liberal West?
Breakfast seminar: India's rise and great power competition
India is the world’s largest democracy, has high economic growth, and is one of very few countries that cooperates with both Russia and the US. How does India balance between Russia, China and the US?
Breakfast seminar: India's rise and great power competition
India is the world’s largest democracy, has high economic growth, and is one of very few countries that cooperates with both Russia and the US. How does India balance between Russia, China and the US?