AGP Executive Report

Oil and Sovereignty: Greenland Energy plans exploratory drilling in eastern Greenland in 2027, but the estimated 13 billion barrels are unproven and still face regulatory and environmental reviews. The plans come amid renewed U.S. interest in Greenland’s resources and Trump’s repeated territorial claims; Greenland remains self-governing within the Kingdom of Denmark. Ice Loss: Greenland’s ice sheet lost about 135 billion tonnes in the year to August, its 30th consecutive year of net ice loss—even without an extreme summer. Investor Scrutiny: A U.S. law firm is investigating Greenland Energy over allegations raised in a short-seller report; the claims are not established findings. Travel: United’s direct Newark–Nuuk service is making weekend trips easier for U.S. visitors, with a roughly four-hour flight and striking Arctic views.

Sovereignty: Donald Trump falsely claimed Denmark had handed Greenland to the United States and said Washington had “got” the island. Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark; the remarks have renewed concern over U.S. pressure. Military Presence: The United States is looking to begin military construction on Greenland next year, with plans for air bases in 2027 to support fighter deployments and Arctic missile warning. Resources: An American oil company is pursuing Greenland drilling as Trump pushes to expand access to the island’s resources. Arctic Policy: Greenland is moving to suspend seabed mining until 2029, while the EU’s new Arctic strategy puts greater weight on security and critical infrastructure, including subsea cables.

Sovereignty Dispute: Trump again claimed the US had secured Greenland through a deal with Denmark, but his remarks do not establish any transfer of sovereignty. Arctic Security: The US is planning air-base upgrades in Greenland for 2027 as the EU’s new Arctic strategy puts greater weight on security and critical infrastructure. Separately, the Pentagon’s FORTRESS plan aims to keep US bases running for 90 days without outside support. Resources: Greenland is moving to suspend seabed mining until 2029, while a US oil company pursues drilling on the island. Climate: New research suggests Arctic winter sea-ice loss could be substantially greater than previous projections.

Greenland’s Sovereignty: Donald Trump again claimed Denmark had handed Greenland to the United States, but no transfer has taken place. The September security agreement affirms Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination; a separate US-Denmark maritime deal does not give Washington ownership or special rights to Greenland’s resources. Arctic Policy: The EU’s new strategy puts greater weight on regional security and critical infrastructure, including maritime surveillance and undersea cables. Greenland is also moving to suspend seabed mining until 2029. Climate and Ice: New research suggests the Arctic could lose about one million square kilometres more winter sea ice than earlier estimates predicted, with potential effects on weather in Europe and beyond.

Sovereignty: Donald Trump again claimed Denmark had handed Greenland to the United States, calling it a real-estate deal. It hasn’t: the recent US-Denmark maritime cooperation agreement explicitly excludes Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and transfers no territory. Oil and Security: Greenland Energy says it is seeking permits to drill in eastern Greenland in 2027, as US plans for expanded military facilities on the island also draw attention. Mining: Greenland is moving to suspend seabed mining until 2029, pausing a contested route to mineral development. Arctic Wildlife: Researchers detected bird-flu antibodies in polar bears in East Greenland, adding to concern about the virus’s spread among wildlife.

Sovereignty Claims: Donald Trump falsely told a Georgia rally that Denmark had given Greenland to the United States. The recent US-Denmark maritime cooperation agreement does not transfer the island; its terms explicitly exclude Greenland. Oil Exploration: Greenland Energy says it is seeking permits to drill in eastern Greenland in 2027, as Trump promotes expanded resource development. Mining: Greenland is moving to suspend seabed mining until 2029, a pause with consequences for future mineral projects. Military Presence: The US is looking to begin construction at Greenland bases next year, amid rising Arctic security competition. Wildlife Health: Researchers detected bird-flu antibodies in polar bears in East Greenland, raising concern as the virus spreads among wildlife.

Oil and Drilling: Greenland Energy says it is seeking permits to drill in East Greenland in 2027, as President Trump touts a resource push on the island. Security and Infrastructure: The EU’s new Arctic strategy proposes secure satellite links and an undersea cable connecting Greenland to Europe; the U.S. is also looking to expand its military presence next year. Mining: Greenland’s parliament has voted unanimously to suspend seabed mining until 2029. Wildlife: Avian influenza antibodies were found in 23% of polar bears sampled in East Greenland, the first reported evidence of exposure there.

Oil and Resources: Greenland Energy says it is seeking permits to drill in East Greenland in 2027, positioning itself as a potential player in President Trump’s push for resource exploration. Defense and Connectivity: The US plans military construction and expanded air-base capacity in Greenland next year, while the EU’s new Arctic strategy prioritizes security and a proposed undersea cable linking Greenland to Europe. Mining: Greenland’s parliament unanimously moved to suspend seabed mining until 2029. Climate: A study found Camp Century was ice-free about 416,000 years ago, when Greenland summers were roughly 4.7°C warmer than today—a warning about how sustained warming can drive major ice-sheet retreat.

Resource Push: An American oil company is pursuing Greenland drilling as President Trump presses for access to the island’s resources, renewing concerns over who will shape its development. Military Presence: The U.S. plans military construction in Greenland next year, with upgrades intended to support cargo and fighter aircraft and more troops. Mining Limits: Greenland is moving to suspend seabed mining until 2029, as lawmakers reject deep-sea mineral extraction. Arctic Security: The EU’s new Arctic strategy puts defence and critical infrastructure first, including plans for a secure undersea cable linking Greenland to Europe. Climate and Wildlife: A study found Camp Century was ice-free about 416,000 years ago, when summers were warmer; meanwhile, migratory birds have spread avian flu to Greenland’s polar bears.

Rare Earths: Critical Metals won near-unanimous European Lithium shareholder approval to acquire the remaining stake in Greenland’s Tanbreez rare-earth project, moving toward full ownership. Military Presence: The U.S. is looking to begin military construction in Greenland next year, including air-base work to support fighter deployments and Arctic missile warnings. Arctic Security: The EU’s new strategy puts maritime surveillance, icebreakers and protection of undersea cables at the centre, including plans for a cable link between Greenland and Europe. Mining and Environment: Greenland’s parliament unanimously backed a proposal to suspend seabed-mining licenses until at least 2029, citing risks to marine life and foreign pressure. Wildlife: Blood samples show four apparently healthy East Greenland polar bears had recovered from bird flu, offering a sign that some bears may survive infection.

Seabed Mining: Greenland’s parliament voted unanimously among members present to direct the government to propose suspending seabed mining until at least 2029, citing environmental risks and foreign interest. U.S. Military Presence: Reports say Washington plans military construction in Greenland next year, as President Trump again talks of U.S. ownership of the island. Arctic Security: The EU’s new Arctic strategy puts maritime surveillance, icebreakers and protection of undersea cables at the center of its plans, including links connecting Greenland with Europe. Wildlife: A study found avian flu infections in polar bears in eastern Greenland, with researchers pointing to migrating birds and changing bear diets as possible routes of exposure.

Wildlife and Climate: Migratory birds are carrying highly pathogenic avian flu to polar bears in East Greenland, a study found in blood samples from bears hunted for subsistence. Shrinking sea ice may be pushing bears onto land, increasing their exposure to new pathogens. Greenland’s Sovereignty: Greenland’s parliament unanimously banned deep-sea mineral extraction, pushing back against renewed U.S. talk of mineral exploration. Trump also falsely claimed the U.S. had “got” Greenland; the island has not changed hands. Arctic Security: The EU’s updated Arctic strategy puts security, resilient infrastructure and economic opportunity at the center, including stronger maritime surveillance and protection for undersea cables. The shift comes as the U.S. reportedly plans Greenland air bases in 2027 and European governments weigh a new cable link to the island.

US Military Plans: The Pentagon is assessing airfields at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig for expanded Arctic operations, alongside upgrades to Pituffik Space Base, with an initial capability targeted for 2027. The plans follow a Denmark-Greenland-US security agreement that preserves the kingdom’s sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. EU Arctic Strategy: Brussels is putting security, maritime surveillance, undersea cables and icebreakers at the center of its new policy. It still urges Arctic fossil fuels to stay in the ground, but dropped its previous call for a binding international ban on new drilling. Greenland’s Resources: Greenland’s parliament unanimously rejected deep-sea mineral extraction, a notable limit on resource development as strategic competition in the Arctic grows. High North Readiness: A UK defence report, informed by visits to Greenland and other Nordic countries, warns Britain lacks key capabilities to operate in the region and urges faster action to address military gaps.

U.S. Military Plans: The Pentagon is assessing Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig for expanded operations, alongside upgrades at Pituffik Space Base. Construction could begin in 2027, but the facilities’ eventual roles remain undecided. EU Arctic Strategy: Brussels is putting security first, proposing a maritime monitoring hub, stronger protection for undersea cables, more icebreakers and a secure cable link to Greenland. Sovereignty and Resources: A September security agreement reaffirmed Greenland’s right to self-determination and Danish sovereignty, while anticipating that an independent Greenland could remain tied to NATO. Greenland’s parliament has also voted unanimously to ban deep-sea mineral extraction. Climate: New research found the Camp Century area was ice-free about 416,000 years ago, when Greenland’s summers were 4.7°C warmer than today—a warning that sustained warming can drive major ice-sheet retreat.

Arctic Security: The EU’s new Arctic strategy puts security and resilience first, with plans to monitor and repair undersea cables, expand icebreaker capacity and improve surveillance. It also backs a secure cable link between Greenland and Europe, as tensions involving Russia and US interest in Greenland sharpen concerns over the region’s infrastructure and sovereignty. Mining Policy: Greenland’s parliament has unanimously banned deep-sea mineral extraction, a significant check on growing interest in the island’s resources. Norse History: Archaeologists have found remains described as a “smoking gun” for a Norse church near Erik the Red’s settlement in southern Greenland, offering new clues to Viking-era society.

Arctic Security: The EU is unveiling plans to expand its Arctic role, including a secure undersea cable linking Greenland with Europe, a broader cable network toward Asia, stronger satellite communications and more icebreakers. The strategy comes amid rising tensions with Russia and the US over the region. Norse History: Archaeologists say they have found the remains of a Norse church in southern Greenland near Erik the Red’s settlement, a discovery that could shed light on Viking-era society and power structures. Seabed Mining: Greenland’s parliament has unanimously instructed the government to draft a law pausing deep-sea mining and seabed exploration until at least the end of 2029. The vote is not an immediate ban; lawmakers expect the legislation in 2027.