ABSTRACT
A range of planning and policy instruments are considered together to be the equivalent of a green planning or sustainable development strategy process in Norway. They are listed in Box 16.1 Strategy Process in Norway
Report to the Storting No 46 (1988–9), Environment and Development: Programme for Norway’s Follow-Up of the Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (prepared by Ministry of Environment) (NorMoe, 1989) and published in two parts. Only Part 1 has been translated into English. Part 2 details the obligations of each ministry and contains a long chapter on economic and administrative instruments.
Report to the Storting No 13 (1992–3) on the UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro ( NorMoE, 1992b ).
Annual Environmental Policy Reports to Parliament by the Minister of Environment.
Annual ‘green budgets’ detailing the environmental measures taken by all ministries in their annual budget proposals (Report No 1 to the Storting each year).
The national preparatory process for UNCED.
The Department of Environment is now encouraging local communities to develop sustainable development plans rather than environmental ones. It is reviewing how best to provide financial support for this. The DoE is also trying to integrate its regulatory functions with incentives work.
Other strategies being prepared include:
An integrated biodiversity strategy and action plan, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment. Nine ministries, local authorities and stakeholders are involved.
A climate change plan for Norway—prepared by civil servants only within certain ministries.
As announced in Report No 46: 1988–9, the Ministry of Environment is financing the post of one executive officer in each local authority to take on the responsibility for environmental issues and to assist in the preparation of local environmental plans. A number of local communities are preparing independent Agenda 21s and eco-community plans through a broad consultation process.
The general planning process in Norway, as in many other countries, includes public hearings and deals with local amenity and planning issues.
