The goals of the institute

According to the Law of Greenland Parliament nr. 6 8th of June 1994 about the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR), the institute is obliged to:

• provide the scientific basis for an assessment of sustainable use of the living resources in and around Greenland as well as protecting the environment and securing the biological diversity
• advise the Greenlandic Government in the work of the Institute
• publish results of its research

Read the Law of Greenland Parliament about the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources here (in danish).

On this basis the main goals of GINR are to:

• give advice based on high quality scientific research.
• foresee changes in the ecological equilibrium and the development of populations as a result of change in climate and human impact on nature.
• indicate quantitative and sustainable use of the living resources.
• advise on measures to protect the environment and ensure biological diversity.
• include local knowledge in scientific research.
• enter into open dialogue with Greenlandic communities and communicate knowledge about causal relationships in nature.
• provide suitable research facilities for the personnel and strengthen the connection between this internationally orientated workplace and the  Greenlandic community.
• maintain a stable and secure working environment both physically and psychologically and establish an up-to-date physical working environment in the laboratories, field stations and boats.
• secure acquisition of necessary financial resources through the annual Finance Act as well as through external sources.

These goals are implemented by members of the staff, who:

• gather, process and assess data concerning exploitation and preservation of the living resources.
• conduct research in preparation for assessment on the living resources important for Greenland.
• contribute to studies of processes and ecological connections in nature .
• participate in surveys and innovative work in relation to the assessment of  methods and tools used in exploiting natural resources in Greenland
• safeguard the international responsibilities that lie with Greenland within the field of research as mentioned above.
• safeguard the coordination and recording of survey and research results from related institutions which have significant influence on the living resources of Greenland and the securing of the environment and natural resources of Greenland.

The Greenland Institute of Natural Resources may undertake assignments with all or partial expenses covered by:

• other public organisations and companies
• private organisations and companies

Organisation

The Greenland Institute of Natural Resources is managed by a Board of Governors and a Director under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Climate and the Environment in the Government of Greenland.

The Greenland Institute of Natural Resources’ Board of Governors has overall responsibility for the Institute and must ensure that it performs the assignments fixed by law in the best possible way within the financial limits set by the annual Finances Act. The Board of Governors determines the strategy for the scientific work and approves the annual work programs and budgets.

The Govenors

• Chairman Gert Mulvad (MD, Dronning Ingrids Sundhedscenter)
• Mette Skarregaard Pedersen (Ministry of Nature, Environment and Justice)
• Jørgen Isak Olsen (Ministry for Fisheries and Hunting)
• Nikolai Christensen (Ministry of Finance and Gender Equality)
• Chairman Nikkulaat Jeremiassen (KNAPK)
• Christian Keldsen (Greenland Business Association)
• Otto Nielsen (The Cooperative Sheep Farmers’ Associations – SPS)
• Else Ostermann (Delegate, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources)
• Nuka Kleemann (Delegate, Ministry for Education, Culture, Sports and Church)
• Lisbeth Schönemann-Paul (Delegate, Sustainable Fisheries Greenland)
• Josephine Nymand (Delegate, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources)
• Else Løvstrøm (Delegate, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources)

The Advisory Committee

• Morten Meldgaard (Chairman, KU/Ilisimatusarfik)
• Martin Nielsen (KU)
• Fritz Köster (DTU)
• Aviaja Lyberth Hauptmann, Institute of Nursing & Health Science

The management

The Director refers to the Board of Governors and takes care of the day-to-day management of the Institute and represents this externally. The director must ensure that the institute fulfills its duties appropriately and professionally in the best possible way that the institute adheres to its budgets etc. Management consists of:

• Josephine Nymand, Director
• Helle Siegstad, Head of the Department of Fish and Shellfish
• Fernando Ugarte, Head of the Department of Birds and Mammals
• Karl Zinglersen, Head of the Department of Environment and Mineral Resources
• Kathrine Lund Olsen, Head of Administration
• Mie S. Winding, Head of Department, Greenland Climate Research Centre
• Else Løvstrøm, Communication manager, Information Office

Departments and staff

In addition to the three research departments and the administration, the Institute includes the Greenland Climate Research Centre.

A Communications Office is attached to the management, while a cross-departmental logistics unit belongs under the Administrative Department and a cross-departmental IT/data unit belongs under the Department of Fish and Shellfish.

The ship-masters of the Institute’s research ships and dinghies report to the head of the Administrative Department.

Through the annual Financial Act, the Institute have funding for approx. 60 employees. Apart from this the Institute has a continuous number of externally-financed employees in various projects.

List of staff  at Greenland Institute of Natural Resources