Parliamentary White Paper 14 (2015-2016) Nature for life — Norway’s national biodiversity action plan.

This white paper describes the Government’s policy for safeguarding biodiversity in Norway, which is designed to play a part in achieving biodiversity targets at both national and international level. It describes biodiversity-related challenges and threats, and the policy instruments the Government will use to deal with them. The document contains the following Chapters: 1. White paper on biodiversity – reasons, main content and use of terms; 2. Situation and influence in Norwegian nature; 3. International targets and attainment of objectives in Norway; 4. Indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and general framework; 5. Sustainable use and good ecological status in ecosystems; 6. Safeguarding threatened species and habitats; 7. Conservation of a representative selection of Norwegian nature; 8. Improving knowledge on biodiversity; and 9. Responsibilities of local and regional authorities.
The Government takes a generational perspective in the management of Norwegian nature. It will therefore work to make the current use of nature sustainable, to prevent species from becoming extinct and habitat types from disappearing, and will continue the work of preserving a representative selection of Norwegian nature. Norway’s policy for the management of biodiversity can be summarized in the following main points: (1) A more accurate management of nature; (2) A climate-adapted nature management; (3) Strengthening the municipalities' competence on biodiversity; (4) Efforts for endangered nature; (5) Preservation of a representative selection of Norwegian nature; (6) Knowledge-based management; and (7) Tailor-made solutions for the various ecosystems.
As regards (1) a more accurate management of nature, the Government will work to define targets for different ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, cultural landscape, open flatlands, mountains, polar ecosystems, and oceans.
As regards (2) a climate-adapted nature management, the Government will, among other things, evaluate whether existing protected areas are sufficient in light of changes in the geographical distribution of species. It will also manage nature so that it contributes to climate adaptation.
As regards (3) strengthening the municipalities' competence on biodiversity, the Government is of the view that municipalities should play an important role as land-use managers. Therefore, the Government will ensure that municipalities increase their competence on biodiversity, particularly through a solid knowledge base and better guidance, and through a pilot project on municipalities’ contributory plans for biodiversity.
As regards (4) efforts for endangered nature, the Government will give weight to this issue when taking decisions under sectoral regulations and spatial planning. It will use tools such as areal protection, priority species and selected nature types.
As regards (5) the preservation of a representative selection of Norwegian nature, the Government will continue its current policy of protecting selected areas from future intervention. This includes through the national park plan, regional protection plans, protected waters, key biotypes in forests, and protection of coral reefs.
As regards (6) knowledge-based management, the Government will continue its efforts to map Norwegian nature (the ecological map). Among other things, the Government will improve and coordinate databases in order to ensure that decision-makers and the general public have access to good access to existing information.
Finally, as regards (7) tailor-made solutions for the various ecosystems, the Government will propose adapted tools and measures for main ecosystems such as sea and coastal zones, rivers and lakes, wetlands, forests, cultural landscapes, open flatlands, mountains and polar ecosystems.