[{"bbox": [96, 153, 1135, 499], "category": "Text", "text": "energy, where Greenland's unique hydropower potential in the mid- or long-term perspective be used to make the territory a relevant producer and exporter of clean fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia². Secondly, Greenland has important deposits of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs, a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Greenland on sustainable raw materials value chains is currently under negotiation) that are crucial for the green transition and this action will support the EU-Greenland partnership in the environmentally responsible creation of CRM value chains. Thirdly, the action will enhance Greenland's capacity to coordinate research activities and contribute to the protection of Greenland's biodiversity. Extensive research activity in Greenland, often by external stakeholders (notably on climate, environment, and natural resources), requires a more effective steer and coordination by local institutions to better reap the benefits of knowledge for its society and the global scientific community. This action's support to a Greenlandic research coordination body will assist in ensuring the needed steer, and enhanced ownership by Greenlandic duty bearers and rights holders. Greenland's fragile ecosystem is under threat by climate change hazards. This action will support biodiversity protection, while furthering the development of responsible eco-tourism."}, {"bbox": [96, 522, 1134, 578], "category": "Text", "text": "The Green Growth action will be a key element of the EU's Global Gateway³ approach in the Arctic region also contributing to project Green Deal⁴ ambitions beyond EU territory."}, {"bbox": [96, 603, 1134, 684], "category": "Text", "text": "As the energy and Critical Raw Material sectors are evolving fast, both regarding EU and Greenlandic policy and economic dynamics, this action will require some flexibility and adaptability to make the most out of opportunities for the EU-Greenland partnership."}, {"bbox": [96, 709, 1134, 817], "category": "Text", "text": "This intervention will seek synergies with the recently started EU-Greenland Capacity Facility programme⁵, which supports Greenland's administration in formulating and implementing policies (particularly in sectors relevant for Green Growth), private sector development as well as with the ongoing budget support in education to build up needed skills in the population."}, {"bbox": [96, 842, 1134, 949], "category": "Text", "text": "This action will also work towards facilitating increased European investment in strategic sectors. For instance, the action will seek to mobilise InvestEU,⁶ for which Greenland is eligible as part of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), with European banks such as EIB as possible partners for hydropower and its application (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia) and Critical Raw Materials."}, {"bbox": [85, 977, 323, 1009], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [85, 1042, 234, 1069], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [96, 1088, 1134, 1195], "category": "Text", "text": "Strategically located between the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, Greenland is, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, an Overseas Territory associated with the EU. It is the world's largest island (20% of the total EU surface). With a population of around 57,000, it has globally the lowest population density (one inhabitant per 35 km²)."}, {"bbox": [96, 1220, 1134, 1328], "category": "Text", "text": "Dramatic exposure to climate change (the ice sheet is melting at the fastest rate of the last 12 000 years), pressures on the biodiversity of the territory, and a lack of economic diversification (strong dependency on the public sector, fisheries, and external support) as well as demographic changes of an aging population, pose both immediate and long-term challenges for Greenland's sustainable development."}, {"bbox": [85, 1428, 1143, 1479], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² Ammonia can be used directly as fuel (no CO2) and be converted back to hydrogen. The advantage to use ammonia as storage lies in the higher density, i.e., more storage of energy."}, {"bbox": [85, 1477, 1143, 1526], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank The Global Gateway, JOIN/2021/30 final"}, {"bbox": [85, 1524, 1143, 1574], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The European Green Deal, COM/2019/640 final"}, {"bbox": [85, 1572, 738, 1598], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ Financing Agreement GL/2019/041-555 \"Capacity Facility for Greenland\""}, {"bbox": [85, 1597, 1143, 1647], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 March 2021 establishing the InvestEU Programme and amending Regulation (EU) 2015/1017"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 36"}]