Minister of the Environment Helen Bjørnøy has presented the environmental priority areas for the Norwegian presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2006.
15/11/2005 :: These will be climate change and environmentally hazardous substances in the Arctic, and strengthening the role of local democracy in environmental efforts.
“The effects of climate change in the Arctic are serious. The people living there are already feeling the impact of both climate change and the accumulation of hazardous substances. We must make a joint Nordic effort to chart the social consequences of climate change,” said Ms Bjørnøy.
Norway will launch an integrated management plan for the Barents Sea, which could provide a Nordic model for solving complex environmental problems in marine areas.
“There is growing interest in exploiting the natural resources in the Arctic. It is therefore essential that we cooperate across sectors and national borders to solve the complex environmental challenges this entails. The Nordic countries have a particular responsibility for making sure the environmental threats in these areas are discussed in international forums,” Ms Bjørnøy continued.
During its presidency, Norway will also promote greater use of channels of local democracy and encourage local participation in the efforts to achieve sustainable development and in the follow-up of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. One of the measures planned is a competition in which local communities will be invited to present their efforts to halt the loss of biological diversity. Experience gained by local communities and research centres will also be used in efforts to improve mental health protection and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
“In the Nordic countries we have a strong tradition of popular participation in planning and development. It is important to have broad support if we are to implement a proactive environmental policy,” said Ms Bjørnøy.
The Norwegian environmental action plan for 2006 is based on the Nordic Environmental Action Plan for 2005-2008.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs