Sustainable Development – New Bearings for the Nordic Countries

1. Sustainable Development – New Bearings for the Nordic Countries Revised strategy Goals and initiatives 2005 – 08 Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

2. 1. Sustainable Development 11 Objectives: • A secure existence and a healthy life for present and future generations • A society based on democracy, openness and participation in local. regional and national cooperation • Preserve biodiversity and productivity of ecosystems Background In November 1998, the Nordic Prime Ministers adopted a Declaration on a Sustainable Nordic Region. Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

3. 1. Sustainable Development • Emissions of pollutants must not exceed the self-regulation capability of the natural environment • Renewable resources must be utilised and protected within their renewal capacity • Non-renewable resources must be utilised such that natural eco-cycles are safeguarded and renewable alternatives developed and supported • A high level of publicawareness of the measures and processes necessary to achieve sustainable development Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

4. 1. Sustainable Development • Mainstream the principle of sustainable development • Emphasizethe role of indigenous peoples • Ban the use of xenobiotic and harmful substances over time • Promote innovative approaches to encourage efficient energy and resource utilisation Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

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

6. SCP Actors • National governments • Local government • Business/enterprise sector • The consumer Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

7. SCP Goals and initiatives • Promote and encourage more sustainable production and consumption patterns: • effective cooperation between central and local government, the business community and NGOs • active dialogue • 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 Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

8. Goals 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

9. 3. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

10. 4. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

11. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

12. 6. 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 substancesGoal 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

13. 7. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

14. 8. Food – safety and health Goals: - Access to safe food - Relevant information - Means to compose sound diet through basic knowledge and information, incl. labelling Limit contamination at source Clear definition of responsibilities (producers, importers, authorities) Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

15. 9. 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 pollutants More use of renewables Integration of energy markets (Nordic, neighbours and the EU) Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

16. 10. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

17. 11. Agriculture Goal: healthy, safe food (+ more) without diminishing resource base or adversely affecting natural ecosystems Contribute to well-developed, viable rural communities Framework for recreation Protect/preserve: - biological diversity - landscape - cultural assets Leading international role Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

18. 12. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

19. 13. 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

20. 14. Cooperation in adjacent areas Goal: contribute to long term economic development based on: - consideration for the natural environment - environmental requirements and - traditional environmental knowledge and 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 Strategy for Sustainable Development

21. 15. 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 LA21 Redirect efforts from agenda setting to concrete action Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

22. Indicators Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development

23. 16. 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 Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development