Government takes a new approach to disaster risk reduction

The fight against climate change is a top priority in the white paper on Norway’s policy for preventing humanitarian crises that was presented today.

“Environmental and climate change mean that Norway must take a new approach to foreign and international development policy. In addition to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, we must also strive to help poor and fragile states to adapt to the changes that are already happening,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. 

With the UN Climate Change Conference underway in Bali, Foreign Minister Støre and Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim today presented a white paper on disaster risk reduction. 

“Climate change is undermining efforts to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development, and is likely to result in increasing numbers of humanitarian crises in the years ahead,” commented Mr Solheim. 

In addition to its focus on environmental and climate change, the white paper also highlights the fact that more people are now living in urban centres than in rural communities, and that slums are growing rapidly in areas that are already vulnerable to disasters. This means that the risk of humanitarian emergencies as a result of flooding, landslides and hurricanes is also increasing. These developments are also a threat to peace in many countries, and the UN Security Council has put this issue on its agenda.

“The Government is concerned that complex crises are increasingly hitting conflict-affected countries with poor governance and limited administrative capacity. Environmental and climate change and increasing migration may further undermine fragile states and provide a breeding ground for new conflicts,” pointed out Mr Støre.