Environmental and economic issues were discussed at Niuernermik Ilinniarfik – the Business School in Nuuk

A new industry raises new questions. Some of these questions were in focus when Greenland Development delivered a presentation on the Aluminum Project for the students and teachers of the ‘Environment and Resources’ class at Niuernermik Ilinniarfik – the Nuuk business school on February 23, 2012. And if Greenland is to get the most out of this project, education is important.

The presentation going through a range of issues was named ’Environmental Politics globally, nationally and locally’. The local impacts were of particular interest to the students.

Impacts are a matter of course – all activity creates some form of impact, especially so for a large scale project like the Aluminum Project. For Greenland it is important that these impacts are studied and described – and approved by the authorities.

Our closest neighbors all host aluminum industry – in some places even for more than a 100 years. Countries with high environmental standards such as Sweden and Norway have smelters placed in towns, and it is considered a normal industry.

What will the profit be?

The economic profit of Greenland is an issue that attracts interest, and several questions. The desire to know the exact amount is understandable. At the same time it is almost impossible to define with precision. Experience from e.g. Iceland tells us that the value created – the profit for society – to a large extent derives from the many jobs that are created.

This is where the students hold an important role if Greenland is to get the most out of a project like the Aluminum Project. The more educated people we can offer to these projects the better a gain society will be able to achieve.

You can download the presentation here here (Danish Presentation)