Greenland base cleanup delayed by over a decade, timeline shows

The extensive cleanup of abandoned American military bases along Greenland's east coast, a task Denmark committed to in 2018, faces significant delays. Originally slated for completion in 2023, the work is now projected to continue until 2033, according to a timeline obtained by Politiken.

The Danish-Greenlandic steering group, comprising environmental and defense ministries, highlights the immense complexity of the operation. The bases are often in remote areas, and Greenland's challenging climate further complicates efforts to remove accumulated waste, including rusty oil drums.

Despite a budget of 180 million Danish kroner allocated for the cleanup of 17 former bases between 2018 and 2023, only a few sites are cleared. As of early 2026, 48 million kroner have been spent, leaving approximately 159 million kroner remaining. This situation has prompted Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to suggest that Denmark should seek cost reimbursement from the United States, aligning with the 'polluter pays' principle.

These discussions occur as Denmark and the U.S. negotiate a new base agreement, which includes plans for three new bases in Greenland. This follows former U.S. President Donald Trump's expressed interest in acquiring the Arctic territory.

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It is clear that the polluter pays principle, it is a good principle, and it would be nice to have in all conceivable agreements.