The value of nature in Norwegian development : a case study of Grenlandsporten, Norway

Abstract

There appears to be a disconnect between Norway's intentions to protect nature through policies and its development practices. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) published a comprehensive article about 44,000 areas of nature lost over the past five years, including nature Norway has committed to protecting. This raises questions about how nature is valued in Norwegian development and how it could be valued differently. This thesis aims to answer this research question through studies, national and global reports, policies, and Grenlandsporten, a case featured in the NRK article, used as a case study. The thesis finds that nature is not highly valued in today's development; however, several approaches exist to enhance its value. These approaches include imposing a tax on lost biodiversity, implementing a nature budget, involving local communities in nature valuation and decision-making, building capacity, integrating more ecocentric values into Norwegian development, and creating stricter and more versatile policies that can adapt to the diverse situations related to nature and local communities. Transformative changes of this magnitude will require time and money. However, it could be justifiable as it will protect Norwegian nature and contribute to halting climate change and nature loss.