In a time where climate change and global warming are turning into real threats to the planet, Norway is clearly doing its part to make things right. By Swastika Mukhopadhyay
Taking a bold step towards sustainability and conservation, Norway announced a complete ban on deforestation becoming the first country to adopt this policy. The Standing Committee on Energy and Environment proposed the notion as a part of the Norwegian government’s Action Plan on Nature Diversity. The pledge prohibits public procurements that contribute to deforestation.
Rainforest Foundation Norway, a non-governmental organisation striving to protect the rainforests, was the convincing force that worked relentlessly for years to make this pledge come into existence.
Nils Hermann Ranum, Head of Policy and Campaign at Rainforest Foundation Norway, said in a statement, “This is an important victory in the fight to protect the rainforest. Over the last few years, a number of companies have committed to cease the procurement of goods that can be linked to the destruction of the rainforest.”
He further added, “Until now, this has not been matched by similar commitments from governments. Thus, it is highly positive that the Norwegian state is now following suit and making the same demands when it comes to public procurements.”
Norway signed a joint statement with Germany and Britain at the UN Climate Summit with an objective to “promote national commitments that encourage deforestation-free supply chains, including through public procurement policies to sustainably source commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef and timber.”
Norway has stopped the production of items like palm oil, tropical timber, soy and paper in order to stick to their policy. In an attempt to combat deforestation, Norway and a few NGOs have made it their sole aim to decrease the consumption of products that lead to deforestation.
This initiative stands to be one of the many steps taken by Norway to preserve our dying planet. The country is also involved in various other conservation projects. It also contributed towards the conservation of the Amazon rainforest. In 2015, Norway paid one billion dollars for completing a 2008 agreement to prevent deforestation. They were able to protect and save 33,000 square miles of rainforest land. As reported by the Worldwatch Institute, the Norwegian government also announced a 250-million-dollar agreement to protect Guyana’s forests.
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