Norway becomes the first country to ban deforestation

orway has become the first country in the world to prohibit deforestation. In this regard, Norwegian Parliament had pledged to make government’s public procurement policy deforestation-free. The step was taken by Norwegian Government based on official recommendations of Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Energy and Environment as part of the Action Plan on Nature Diversity. Key facts Henceforth, Norway will no

longer procure use or procure products that encourage deforestation. Under the pledge, Norwegian Government will also not award contracts to any company that cuts down and destroys forests. In addition, Norwegian lawmakers also committed to find a way to source essential products such as soy, palm oil, beef and timber that have little or no impact on ecosystems. The standing committee also has asked Government to frame separate biodiversity policy and use funds provided by Government Pension Fund Global to increase biodiversity protection.