Sustaining a conservationist agenda

This chapter examines to what extent the agendas of conservationist non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have influenced the making of an Arctic legal order pertaining to controversial issues in the Arctic, namely marine mammal hunting, and oil and gas exploitation. The narratives and strategies that are applied to lobby decision-makers to frame legal texts according to a conservationist view of the Arctic and to challenge the prevailing legal order are analysed, together with an evaluation of the relations maintained between these entities and Arctic indigenous peoples. After a brief introduction describing the rise of NGOs in international environmental law in general, this chapter explores how the agendas of specific conservationist NGOs have influenced the law and policies that apply to the Arctic as far as sealing and whaling are concerned. Along the same line, but looking mainly at oil and gas exploitation, the second part of the research focuses on the major environmental organisation Greenpeace and its role in the shaping of the Arctic legal order relating to hydrocarbon exploitation. The organisation is chosen due to its long engagement in the Arctic and its controversial relationship with the Arctic’s indigenous peoples.