The purpose of the act is to ensure that nature, with its biological, geological and landscape diversity and ecological processes, is being conserved through sustainable use and conservation. In this way, nature can provide as a basis for human activity, culture, health and well-being, now and in the future. The act is based on a threefold understanding of the value of nature. This includes biodiversity as an intrinsic value, biodiversity as a provider of experiences and recreation and biodiversity being the world’s most important resource.
The act addresses all sectors of society that have activities affecting nature, such as fisheries, road construction, oil activity and forestry. If nature is threatened, it is the responsibility of the authorities to take actions, even if the nature is outside nature conservation areas. Some nature types receive special attention in the act, such as “most valuable and threatened nature,” “nature needing special attention.” The habitat to endangered species is also nature types receiving special attention under the act.
The principles in The Nature Diversity Act shall serve as guidelines whenever environmental authorities, municipalities or sector authorities make decisions that concerns nature. They must use the principles when taking individual decisions or issue regulations. One of the guiding principles is that scientific and experienced based knowledge must be the basis of decisions. The precautionary principle is also central in the act. It gives nature the benefit of the doubt by stating that the authorities cannot make decisions when the consequences and risk for biodiversity is unknown.
Norway has, with The Nature Diversity Act, for the first time adopted principles of biodiversity management as a part of a cross sectoral act in Norway.
For more information about the Nature Diversity Act:
A presentation of The Nature Diversity Act by State Secretary the Ministry for Environment Heidi Sørensen
The Nature Diversity Act