Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

The cold northern climate is challenging, and the species found in Norway are well adapted to low temperatures, a short growing season and humid climate. Bumblebees can also be adapted to a cold climate [ ] 173 Understanding good ecological status Norway’s plan is based on the fun- damental idea that well-functioning ecosystems benefit society as a whole, and that we have an obligation to pass on healthy ecosystems to future generations. However, one problem the Norwegian authorities face is the lack of clear, agreed management objectives for ecological status, even though sustainable management is specified as a goal in a number of statutes. This results in differing views on the need for action and where to strike a balance between different interests. Clearly defined objectives would provide a better basis for mak- ing decisions in cases marked by dif- ferent interests and social objectives, and would help to achieve environ- mentally, socially and economically sustainable development. To address these issues, the Min- istry of Climate and Environment is developing scientifically based criteria for good ecological status. Defining what is meant by ‘good ecological status’ is the first step in developing management objectives for differ- ent areas. It will not necessarily be Norway’s objective to achieve good ecological status everywhere. If other public interests weigh more heavily, it may be decided that it is acceptable for parts of an ecosystem not to achieve it. In addition, pressures that are not under national control, such as cli- mate change, ocean acidification and long-range transport of pollutants, may make it impossible to achieve good ecological status everywhere. The Government will develop man- agement objectives for the various ecosystems and determine which types of areas or which parts of each ecosystem should achieve good ecological status, taking all necessary factors into consideration. Once the management objectives have been established, the Government will or- ganize the use of policy instruments with a view to maintaining ecological status in areas and ecosystems where it is already good enough and im- proving it in areas where it is poorer than stipulated by the management objectives. The Government will use this system as a tool for making na- ture management more effective and for setting priorities for restoration projects in accordance with Aichi target 15. The aim is for a manage- ment system based on clearly defined objectives for ecological status to be in place by 2020. In September 2016, the Ministry of Climate and Environment selected an Expert Committee with a mandate to develop recommendations for a comprehensive technical system for the determination of good ecological condition. Trollfjord Norway M any of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are concerned with maintaining well-functioning ecosystems or improving ecological status. A core goal of the Norwegian action plan for natural diversity is to ensure that the nature management regime is sustainable, so that the overall pressure resulting from human activities and use of nature allows Norwegian ecosystems to maintain good ecological status over time. The Aichi targets are reflected in Norway’s three national biodiversity targets, which are concerned with achieving good ecological status in ecosystems, safeguarding threatened species and habitats, and maintaining a representative selection of Norwegian nature across the full range of habitats and ecosystems. Pascal Debrunner on Unsplash