Eight years after Denmark allocated 180 million kroner to clean up American military waste at 17 former bases in Greenland, only four sites have been fully cleared. The delays come as renewed US interest in Greenland raises questions about Denmark’s sovereignty and environmental responsibility in the Arctic territory.
Cleanup Progress Falls Far Behind Schedule
The Danish government made a political commitment in 2017 to remove decades of military debris left by the United States at abandoned World War II era bases across Greenland. Oil drums, chemicals, building materials, and other refuse still litter the Arctic landscape at 13 of the 17 sites. Work has not even begun at six locations.
Original Timeline and Funding
In 2018, the government set aside 180 million kroner for a six year cleanup operation. That timeline has now expired with the majority of sites still contaminated. A report from the Environment Ministry obtained by DR’s P1 Morgen reveals the extent of the delays.
The bases date back to when the US established military installations in Greenland during World War II with Danish approval. When the Americans closed these facilities, they left behind waste that has remained untouched for decades. The cleanup agreement does not cover sites still in operation, such as Thule Air Base in northern Greenland.
Environmental and Political Consequences
Aaja Chemnitz, a member of parliament for the Greenlandic party Inuit Ataqatigiit, told DR the progress is unacceptable. She noted that funding was allocated and political will expressed, yet the work remains incomplete. The environmental stakes are significant for Greenlanders who depend heavily on fishing and hunting.
A 2023 study in Nature Communications described the abandoned military sites as a serious environmental threat. As climate change melts permafrost, pollutants risk leaching into soil and water systems. The contamination could directly affect food sources critical to Greenlandic communities.
Government Cites Difficult Conditions
Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke acknowledged the criticism but defended the slow pace as unavoidable given challenging circumstances in the Arctic.
Technical and Logistical Obstacles
A 2023 evaluation by the Environment Ministry described the cleanup as more complicated and time consuming than initially expected. Factors including harsh weather, the COVID-19 pandemic, unclear property ownership, and required consultation with cultural heritage authorities all contributed to delays. Reaching remote sites in Greenland’s extreme climate poses ongoing difficulties, according to Heunicke.
The minister insisted the delays reflect practical constraints rather than lack of political commitment or focus. However, he could not provide a specific completion date when pressed. When asked if the work would take less than 10 to 20 years, Heunicke agreed that estimate was probably accurate.
American Refusal to Pay
According to Kristian Hvidtfeldt, a science historian at Aarhus University who spoke to media in 2018, the United States made clear for years it had no intention of participating in cleanup efforts. That left Denmark responsible for removing waste created by American operations. The decision reflects broader historical patterns of US military presence in Greenland without corresponding environmental accountability.
Cleanup Delays in Broader Geopolitical Context
The stalled waste removal takes on added significance as Greenland faces renewed pressure from the United States over security and sovereignty issues.
Recent American Interest in Greenland
In early 2026, US President Donald Trump repeated earlier demands for control over Greenland, declining to rule out military force to achieve that goal. The statements prompted Denmark to announce over 88 billion kroner in Arctic defense enhancements, including F-35 fighter jets and additional troops. On January 13, 2026, a joint Danish and Greenlandic statement declared Greenland was not for sale despite what officials called unacceptable pressure.
Denmark has committed significant resources to Arctic security following the escalation. Agreements in 2025 allocated 27.4 billion kroner for airport expansions, new Arctic units, radar installations in eastern Greenland, and an undersea cable to Denmark. An additional 200 soldiers deployed to the region by mid January 2026.
Questions About Danish Sovereignty
The cleanup failures highlight broader questions about Denmark’s ability to exercise full authority over Greenland. Critics note that decades of military waste remains unaddressed even as Denmark increases defense spending in response to American strategic interests. Political figures in Greenland have pushed for greater control over foreign policy negotiations, emphasizing the principle that nothing about Greenland should happen without Greenlandic participation.
Approximately 85 percent of Greenlanders reject any form of US annexation according to polling from 2025. Former Premier Múte B. Egede publicly stated that Greenlanders are not for sale. At the same time, Greenlandic leaders have expressed openness to expanded NATO missions that would provide protection while respecting sovereignty. The environmental legacy of past US military operations adds another layer to these complex discussions about Greenland’s future.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Why Was Greenland Granted Autonomy from Denmark?
DR: Otte år efter aftale flyder amerikansk militærskrot stadig i Grønland
Wikipedia: Greenland crisis
University of Copenhagen: USA vil tage Grønland – en diplomatisk ekstrem
Marxist.dk: Amerikansk imperialisme øger presset for at overtage Grønland
Information: Venstrefløjen splittet om militær afskrækkelse i Grønland
VAFO: Grønland fremgår flere gange i Trumps nye forsvarsstrategi
