Denmark forms Biodiversity Council to tackle the nature crisis

The newly established body will ensure that decisions are made with nature and biodiversity in mind

On 14 June, the Danish Ministry of the Environment announced that it will now appoint a Biodiversity Council to help the country tackle the nature crisis. This council will be an independent body consisting of a chairman and 8 non-executive members who will be tasked with advising the government on its nature-related efforts.

Overseeing the initiatives of the Nature and Biodiversity Package

In a press release, the Minister of the Environment Lea Wermelin explains that the government has set aside DKK 888 million (EUR 119.4 million) for its Nature and Biodiversity Package. With this package, the Ministry seeks to expand the green areas in the country and establish up to 15 new national parks, among other things.

Now, the Biodiversity Council will help the government carry out its plans by providing advice on how to implement them. In addition to this, it will prepare annual reports that detail the country’s progress and how successfully the aforementioned actions have been implemented.

Battling the global biodiversity crisis

Wermelin commented on the importance of the Biodiversity Council, noting that it will help the country reverse the damage that has so far been caused. More specifically, the independent body will ensure that biodiversity is no longer ignored when decisions are made.

The environmental rapporteur for the Social Democrats Mette Gjerskov similarly shared: “Report after report has shown that nature is in critical condition, and for far too long, one has simply flipped on to the next page. It is so important that we listen to the experts if we are to solve the nature crisis, and with the establishment of a biodiversity council, which will only advise with nature and biodiversity in mind, we now have extra knowledge to help us along the way.”

Earlier this year, the Ministry of the Environment launched “Denmark’s Wildest Municipality”: a competition designed to promote biodiversity in the country. Now, the formation of a Biodiversity Council can be seen as further proof that the government is committed to the protection and preservation of nature, animals, and plants in Denmark.