Norway bans deforestation, continues it commitment to protect other country’s forests

The Norwegian Parliament pledged to become deforestation-free. With the government’s new public procurement policy, Norway has became the first country to ban deforestation.

“This is an important victory in the fight to protect the rainforest,” Nils Hermann Ranum, head of policy and campaign at Rainforest Foundation Norway said in a statement. “Over the last few years, a number of companies have committed to cease the procurement of goods that can be linked to destruction of the rainforest. Until now, this has not been matched by similar commitments from governments. Thus, it is highly positive that the Norwegian state is now following suit and making the same demands when it comes to public procurements.”

The Scandinavian country will no longer use any products that contribute to deforestation. This move is a greater initiative to protect rainforests worldwide. Norway,  partnered with Guyana – a $250 million commitment – to protect the country’s forests from deforestation and Brazil – home to 60 percent of the Amazon forest – in a $1 billion pledge to also prevent deforestation, Mongabay reported.

“The partnership between Brazil and Norway through the Amazon Fund shows intensified support for one of most impressive climate change mitigation actions of the past decades. This is an outstanding example of the kind of international collaboration we need to ensure the future sustainability of our planet.”

Norway is also partnering with Africa to prevent the nation’s forests as well. Norway provides aid to Liberia to help the country become the first in Africa to end deforestation, the BBC reported.

Norway’s deforestation ban is a commitment that encourages “deforestation-free supply chains” and forces manufacturers to sustainable source products. Now the country is calling on other countries around the world to follow suit.

“Other countries should follow Norway’s leadership, and adopt similar zero deforestation commitments,” Ranum said. “In particular, Germany and the UK must act, following their joint statement at the UN Climate Summit.”