Sustainable Development – New Bearings for the Nordic Countries

2005-06-21 Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development 1

Nordic Council of MinistersSustainable Development – New Bearings for the Nordic Countries

Revised strategy Goals and initiatives 2005 – 08


Nordic Council of Ministers1. Sustainable Development

11 Objectives:

1. A secure existence and a healthy life for present and future generations

2. A society based on democracy, openness and participation in local. regional and national cooperation

3. Preserve biodiversity and productivity of ecosystems

BackgroundIn November 1998, the Nordic Prime Ministers adopted a Declaration on a Sustainable Nordic Region.



4. Emissions of pollutants must not exceed the self-regulation capability of the natural environment

5. Renewable resources must be utilised and protected within their renewal capacity

6. Non-renewable resources must be utilised such that natural eco-cycles are safeguarded and renewable alternatives developed and supported

7. A high level of public awareness of the measures and processes necessary to achieve sustainable development



8. Mainstream the principle of sustainable development

9. Emphasize the role of indigenous peoples

10. Ban the use of xenobiotic and harmful substances over time

11. Promote innovative approaches to encourage efficient energy and resource utilisation


Nordic Council of Ministers2. Sustainable production and consumption patterns

At global level, the Nordic region intends to lead the way in meeting the WSSD goal of appreciably changing unsustainable production and consumption patterns.

Between now and 2020 the Nordic countries will seek to achieve a transition to a more sustainable society in which the connection between economic growth and greater environmental impact is not as strong as at present.


Nordic Council of MinistersSCP Actors

• National governments• Local government• Business/enterprise

sector• The consumer


Nordic Council of MinistersSCP Goals and initiatives

More use of economic policy levers• in environmental policy-making• closer coordination of these instruments • restructuring of government support measures that have a negative impact on the environment

Promote and encourage more sustainable production and consumption patterns:

• effective cooperation between central and local government, the business community and NGOs • active dialogue


Nordic Council of MinistersGoals and initiatives cont…..

• Nordic authorities, – ownership – environmental and ethical

considerations – promote social

responsibility in the enterprise sector

• sectoral integration of environmental concerns into the sectors

• send out clear signals on sustainable consumption and production requirements– Green public procurement – environmental management systems


Nordic Council of Ministers3. The social dimension

• Develop the Nordic welfare model, financed by:• Efficient labour market + labour supply• Appropriate tax/benefit systems

• Gender equality at work and work/family• Support for those that have difficulty entering and/or maintaining themselves in the labour market• Safeguard financially/socially sustainable pensions/welfare systems• Establish goals for:

• Social conditions necessary for good health• Education and training in sustainable development• Boosting participation in cultural activities


Nordic Council of Ministers4. Climate change and atmospheric pollution

• Climate Convention goal: atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

• Long range atmospheric pollutants: emissions within critical load limits and no damage to people’s health and the environment


Nordic Council of Ministers

5. Biological diversity and genetic resources – the natural and cultural environment

Protect and secure sustainable use of biodiversity, Preserve natural resources, Safeguard cultural heritage.

Genetic resources: - Sustainable use of/access to - Just and equitable distribution of benefits

Continued existence of the region’s cultural environment


Nordic Council of Ministers6. The Sea

Preservation of biodiversity, structure, functions and productivity.Sustainable utilisation.Pollution must cease.

Through measures to:- Limit runoff of natural substances- Halt discharge of chemically stable and hazardous substances

Goal 2020:- Half the runoff of nutrients into eutrophication areas- Gradual reduction of discharge to background level (for natural hazardous substances) and close to zero for synthetics


Nordic Council of Ministers7. Chemicals

Goals: - Chemical use without risk to health/environment - Elimination of all chemical discharges that constitute threats - Increased producer responsibility - Precautionary-substitution principle applied in policy.

Goods in 10-15 years time: - largely free of persistent and/or bioaccumulative organics - free of man-made carciogenics, mutagenics and substances that affect reproductive or endocrine systems


Nordic Council of Ministers8. Food – safety and health

Goals: - Access to safe food - Relevant information - Means to compose sound dietthrough basic knowledge and information, incl. labelling

Limit contamination at sourceClear definition of responsibilities (producers, importers, authorities)


Nordic Council of Ministers9. Energy

Long term goal: ensure an efficient, competitive, safe and sustainable supply of energy to boost employment and strengthen the economy without jeopardising the environment.

Less - greenhouse gases - atmospheric pollutantsMore use of renewablesIntegration of energy markets (Nordic, neighbours and the EU)


Nordic Council of Ministers10. Transport

Long term goal: system that allows basic access and development needs to be met safely and in a manner consistentwith and ecosystem health and promotes equity within and between successive generations:- affordable- fair, efficient- multimodal- supports competitive economy- emissions & waste- resources


Nordic Council of Ministers11. Agriculture

Goal: healthy, safe food (+ more) without diminishing resource base or adversely affecting natural ecosystemsContribute to well-developed, viable rural communitiesFramework for recreation

Protect/preserve: - biological diversity - landscape - cultural assetsLeading international role


Nordic Council of Ministers12. Forestry

- Competitive enterprise - Secure source of income/jobs - Capable of delivering high- quality forest products

- Safeguard and preserve healthy, viable forest resources - Protect and conserve biological diversity and other environmental values

Forests must also be used for recreation and open-air activities


Nordic Council of Ministers13. Fisheries

Principle:Marine Living Resources (MLRs) must be exploited in a manner that is sustainable in the long term under an ecosystem management system based on the principles embodied in the CBD on the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable utilisation of its various biological components.


Nordic Council of Ministers14. Cooperation in adjacent areas

Goal: contribute to long term economic development based on: - consideration for the natural environment - environmental requirements and - traditional environmental knowledgeand to help reduce disparities in health/social and mainstream SD.

The Nordic countries will: - contribute to protection of biodiversity - help restore environmental quality, reduce pollution and ensure sustainable use of resources - support transparency, democracy, fair legislation & efficient local management


Nordic Council of Ministers15. Public participation and Local Agenda 21

Promote public participation by: - making information accessible - encourage citizens to take part in drafting and implementation of SD policy.Boost support for LA21Redirect efforts from agenda setting to concrete action


Nordic Council of MinistersIndicators


Nordic Council of Ministers16. Implementation and follow-up

National implementation The main responsibility for

following up the objectives and initiatives and financing: the governments of the Nordic countries

Nordic Co-operation Nordic Council of Ministers The Prime Ministers The Co-operation Ministers

have the overall responsibility The Departmental Ministers

have the sector responsibility Budget and resources Reporting, indicators Assessment and Revision

Sustainable Development – New Bearings for the Nordic Countries

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