What is NBFN?
What is NBFN?
Established in 2014, the Norwegian Blue Forests Network (NBFN) aims to jointly strengthen the Norwegian competence and know-how in blue forests so that its full potential in addressing the global climate challenge and provisioning of other ecosystem services can be met nationally and internationally.
Norway has internationally been a strong advocate for the sustainable use of blue forests ecosystems in order to improve not only ecosystem management, but also empower and involve local communities, and contribute to poverty alleviation.
Nationally, the sustainable use of marine ecosystems has been a cornerstone of Norway’s goal to develop its blue-green economy.
Our Mission
Be the best source of reliable and up to date knowledge on Norwegian blue forests in order to raise awareness, offer solutions, inspire ecosystem- based policymaking and encourage the sustainable use of blue forests in Norway and beyond.
GRID-Arendal
A Norwegian foundation established in 1989 by the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment to support environmentally sustainable development by collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme and other partners.
With the purpose of creating positive environmental outcomes and impacts, GRID-Arendal works all over the world – from the Himalayas to the Arctic, and from Africa to the South Pacific.
GRID-Arendal’s competence within blue forests includes communication and outreach, capacity building and development of blue carbon projects, for example, through the UN Environment Programme and the Global Environmental Facility-funded Blue Forests Project (2015-2021).
The Institute of Marine Research (IMR)
IMR is one of the biggest marine research institutes in Europe, with around 1100 employees. It is Norway’s largest of its kind and the leading institute for fundamental and applied research on marine waters, including kelp forest research. IMR’s mission is to provide knowledge and recommendations to the Norwegian government, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority along with fisheries and other interest groups regarding sustainable use and management of the ocean, coastal ecosystems and biological resources, and blue forests.
The Institute has a national advisory objective for the cultivation of kelp (Norway’s most significant blue forest) and leads several research and monitoring projects with the aim of increasing knowledge about kelp forests, carbon storage, consequences of climate change on the entire food chain.
The availability and dissemination of new scientific results for relevant government authorities, industries and general society is a priority shared by all members of the Norwegian Blue Forests Network.
The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)
The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) is Norway’s leading institute for fundamental and applied research on marine and freshwaters. Our research comprises a wide array of environmental, climatic and resource-related fields. NIVA’s world-class expertise is multidisciplinary with a broad scientific scope. We combine research, monitoring, evaluation, problem-solving and advisory services at international, national and local levels.
OUR STRATEGY
