Wants to strengthen protection of nature and cultural heritage on Svalbard

The Norwegian government wants to tighten environmental regulations for Svalbard with the goal of strengthening the protection of unique and vulnerable Svalbard nature and cultural heritage on the archipelago.

- Climate changes and increased traffic threatens the vulnerable, Arctic environment. If we are to protect one of the best-managed wildlife areas in the world, we have to strengthen environmental regulations, says Climate and Environment Minister Sveinung Rotevatn (Liberals).

Amongst the initiatives to be considered by a working group consisting of the Environment Directorate, the Norwegian Polar Institute, the Directorate of Cultural Heritage and the Svalbard Governor are various forms of travel restrictions, tightening of regulations about disturbing of polar bears and regulation of distances for other species than polar bears. The directorates and the governor are also to consider changes to regulations for motorized traffic as well as regulation of other forms of traffic that may affect nature and cultural heritage.

At the same time, the Ministry of Climate and Environment will explore a general ban on heavy-fuel oil on Svalbard and the issue of whether there is a need for adaptions to the regulations about size limitations for vessels.