Norway takes a leading role in addressing environmental issues in development cooperation. Poverty and the environment is closely related, and the Norwegian government recently launched an action plan aimed at preparing developing nations for environmental dangers facing the world.
14/07/2006 :: "The global environment is being destroyed and it is the poorest who are most severely affected by these dangers. Norway intends to play a leading role in addressing environmental issues in development cooperation," said Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim at the launch 29 June.
Today 60 percent of the services provided by the ecosystems are utilised in an unsustainable manner. Overconsumption of water, overharvesting of fish stocks, air pollution, climate changes and eradication of species are only some of the problems facing the world, and it is the poorest nations that are worst affected. The UN announced that in 2025 three billion people will live in areas with water scarcity, and substantial changes in policies, technology and measures must be employed to address the climate changes.
The Norwegian government will advocate putting environmental issues higher on the international agenda, and will concentrate its efforts on four thematic priority areas:
- sustainable management of biological diversity and natural resources
- management of water resources, water supply and sanitation
- climate change and access to clean energy
- hazardous substances
Norway will use the Action Plan for Environment in Development Cooperation towards realising the UN Millennium Goals and improve the standard of living and health of the poor. The efforts will be focused on competence-building and improved environmental management, and will be executed in close cooperation with the UN and non-governmental organisations.
"Competent environmental management and an active environmental movement are important in order to ensure sustainable development. This is true both in the North and in the South. It is vital to improve environmental capacity and competence in our partner countries," said Norwegian Minister of the Environment Helen Bjørnøy at the launch.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs