Political Platform

Political Platform

The Green Party’s goal is a compassionate society with ecological balance. The economy should submit to healthy ecological principles and promote peace and justice both locally and globally.

Vigorous local communities based on local resources are a prerequisite to reaching this goal.

The Green Party statutes § 1 The good, green life

1. The nature we are a part of Respect for the planetary boundaries Ambitious and solidarity-focused climate policies Protection of biodiversity The value of animals

2. A vivid democracy Division of powers and accountability A strong local democracy Broad participation and co-determination

3. The green economy Circular resources A fair economy A safe economy and a state of preparedness A democratic economy Favourable conditions for innovation

4. A diverse and inclusive society A diverse cultural life Defending the right of asylum Equality and protection against discrimination Indigenous rights

5. Meaningful lives in a safe welfare society Safety and mastery experiences Participation and meaning Public health in a generous society Humane surroundings

6. Active peace policies Limits to the use of military power A restrictive weapon policy

7. International cooperation A small economy with a large responsibility European cooperation A democratic UN

8. Digital rights Equal access to the internet Protection against surveillance Digital responsibility for citizens Conclusion

The good, green life

We wish for a society where everyone can live good lives within the planetary boundaries. Democracy, the economy, and civil society operate together and lead to the joy of living and the release of creative abilities.

A green society leans on the good strengths that humans possess. The best solutions are created in cooperation between people, businesses, organisations, and countries. The distance from interest to influence and power is short. We have a high level of trust in each other, and diversity and conflict of opinion are considered a benefit and something we learn from.

People live and develop themselves in meaningful communities. We have responsibility for and contribute to our local communities. At the same time, we receive support and help when needed. We build our local communities in a way that also benefits the diversity of people and species all over the planet.

In a green society, people have the opportunity to live freely, as themselves. Every individual has the space to discover and cultivate their interests, and the opportunity to have mastery experiences in every phase of their life. Every individual can bring their own ideas to life or participate in the many activities in society. It is natural and valuable that people create, with their hands, head, and heart. Together we take care of the basis of existence and welfare. A compassionate society is a society where we take care of each other. Our policies are based on three basic principles of solidarity: solidarity with all humans, solidarity with future generations, and solidarity with animals and nature.

1. The nature we are a part of

We live on a unique and beautiful planet, where we are part of the incredible biodiversity and dependent on complex and fragile ecosystems. Over the last few centuries, humans have made an important imprint on Earth, and for that reason, we also bear great responsibility for life here.

Humans have to manage ecosystems in a way that leaves them in better shape for the next generation. We should not experiment with how much the earth can tolerate in terms of human-induced climate change, interventions in nature, and pollution. To protect the opportunity to live good lives, we have to quickly and fairly adjust our way of living to respect the planetary boundaries.

Respect for the planetary boundaries

The size of the planet draws a line for how high our material consumption levels can be, and what resources we can help ourselves to. By collaborating and dividing the resources among us, we can protect basic needs and the right to material security for humans all over the world. We can harvest from the surplus in nature, but at the same time, we cannot exhaust resources at the expense of other humans, future generations, other species, or nature itself. Fresh air, clean water, nature, and biodiversity must be prioritised over economic growth. Up until this point, we have helped ourselves to more resources than the earth can regenerate. Now we need to handle the consequences of these actions and repair nature where it is possible.

Ambitious and solidarity-focused climate policies

The climate crisis threatens life as we know it and is among the largest and most acute threats to humankind. Climate change exacerbates the nature crisis, puts pressure on species, and affects the livelihoods of millions of people. Solutions exist, but change demands political action, creativity, and binding collaboration agreements across borders. Climate and nature must be considered in correlation to each other.

Norway must take the lead with national emission cuts, a quick reorganisation of society as a whole, and climate support for poor and vulnerable countries. All sectors must contribute, but the largest polluters need to make the largest contributions. Our goal should be to overfulfill our international climate commitments.

For every tenth of a degree of global warming we avoid, we save lives and prevent damage. Renewable energy, climate-smart business development, and new patterns of consumption give us hope. At the same time, we need to adjust to the climatic changes that will happen no matter what and take care of societal needs and ecosystems on the road to creating a zero-emissions society.

Protection of biodiversity

Other species and the ecosystems they are a part of have intrinsic value, independent of whether or not they are directly useful to humans. We are not above nature; we are a part of it. A rich biodiversity is needed to ensure security and quality of life. In order to maintain and strengthen biodiversity, we need a change of course to protect and restore large amounts of nature, combat dangerous climatic changes, and stop harmful emissions of environmental contaminants into nature. In cases where there is a lack of knowledge and large insecurities around environmental consequences, we must take a precautionary approach.

The value of animals

All animals have intrinsic value which cannot be reduced to utility value for humans. We are morally obliged to treat animals with respect, to avoid inflicting unnecessary suffering upon them, and to see them as part of the valuable diversity in both society and nature.

Humans are especially responsible for protecting the welfare of animals we have power over, animals that depend on us. Animals should be able to exercise the needs specific to their species as well as their individual needs.

2. A vivid democracy

Democracy is created when people have an influence on the society they are a part of. A good grassroots democracy leads to higher trust. It also contributes to releasing people’s abilities to take care of each other, collaborate and create. The people are not just producers and consumers of goods and services. They need to participate and have influence in decision-making processes that concern the community. Broad democratic participation in a variety of ways leads to the best possible and most legitimate decision-making. The authorities must originate from the inhabitants and serve the public interest.

The Norwegian democracy builds on historical movements that have contributed to the strengthening and expansion of human rights, equality, and welfare. We have created strong traditions for collaboration and opportunities for participation.

The Green Party continues to build on this legacy. As part of a larger international family of green parties, with roots in the environmental, peace, and women’s movements, we want to expand democracy. In that way, we can create policies for equality and in solidarity with vulnerable groups, future generations, and nature.

Division of powers and accountability

Power should not be concentrated in the hands of the few. It is a democratic ideal that the responsibility of elected representatives is exercised by people from all social spheres of society. This ensures a diversity of points of view, and it also counteracts stagnation, the concentration of power, and outsiderness. At the same time, this ideal demands that everyone is guaranteed good conditions for participating in the democratic processes. This must happen through good access to information, as well as safe and accessible arenas for participation.

A strong democracy depends on the ability to examine the actions of people in power and hold them accountable. It also depends on the rights of minorities being taken care of. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, independent courts, a rich cultural life, a strong civil society, and well-functioning and representative political parties are all preconditions for democracy.

A strong local democracy

In a green society, decisions should be made close to the people that will be affected by them and the resources that are being managed. Closeness often translates to unique insight. Co-determination and a local foundation create legitimacy and inspire people to become engaged.

At the same time, we have to consider those who may be affected in other places and at other times, as well as values of national and international significance. There must be a balance between local democracy and governmental frameworks. This is especially important in cases that concern human rights or natural values, and when the common land of the community is under pressure.

Broad participation and co-determination

Democracy and social citizenship are exercised at many different levels and in a variety of places. Civil society, local meeting places, public departments, educational institutions, and workplaces are all important channels of participation in the everyday lives of people. We have to ensure that those concerned are allowed to participate in decision-making. A green society cultivates a diversity of ways to participate and have an influence. The representative and formal democracy – the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament), the government, county councils, and local councils – may seem foreign to many. A divided public and an ever-widening gap between opinions can threaten the community and stand in the way of good information and healthy debates. We have to actively include youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, and others that are currently underrepresented or left out. We also need to protect meeting places where different groups can work together.

The Green Party wants to continue to develop democracy so that it will function better for more people. For that reason, we are also open to using new tools that can empower the population and encourage participation.

3. The green economy

The goal of a green economy is to ensure good lives for everyone, now and in the future. The resources of the earth must be managed and divided in ways that protect human rights and respect the planetary boundaries. Within these confines, a green economy should support creativity, cooperation, and innovation.

Ecological and social sustainability must be equally important goals for the government as economic sustainability, both nationally and locally.

Circular resources

Value creation must happen in cooperation with nature. The green economy takes lessons from interactions in nature to develop an economy that is more considerate and long-term. The higher our level of total consumption is, the more vulnerable we will be, and we cannot expect technological advancement to make up for this on its own. Overconsumption makes us vulnerable and damages our planet to a large extent. For this reason, our level of total consumption must be reduced and the economy must avoid the wasting of resources, loss, and collapse. Resources must be circular, and we have to facilitate as much reuse, repair, recycling, and sharing as possible. We cannot take more out of nature than what can be recreated or returned, and we cannot emit more into nature than what it can tolerate. A green economy should not be dependent on growth.

A fair economy

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, social and liberal movements, like the workers' movement with their social democratic ideas, have contributed to making many people’s lives better. A green economy builds on this legacy. The way in which the society and mixed economy are organised has made Norway a country with a high level of prosperity. We want to carry on the cooperation between employers' and employees' organisations and the government. Society should have a lively and varied business sector, a tax system that redistributes wealth, and a good social security network. We also have to ensure that even those at the far end of the table feel secure.

Both locally, nationally, and internationally, wealth must be distributed in a way that ensures that people do not live in poverty. Everyone should be able to participate in the community and have the opportunity to live free lives. A low level of inequality contributes to a healthy society based on trust and makes it possible for everyone to live good lives on a planet with limitations.

A safe economy and a state of preparedness

To create a safe society we have to take care of biodiversity, combat climate change, and maintain a high level of preparedness. That way, we can reduce and avoid crises and better manage those that happen, to the benefit of everyone and the economy.

The development within artificial intelligence and biotechnology leads to both exciting opportunities and important challenges. Government regulations must stay one step ahead to ensure that this technology is used to the benefit of humankind and nature.

We have to ensure access to the supply of food, energy, and other goods and services in the places where people live. This demands a robust infrastructure, as well as plans for crisis prevention and preparedness. Preparedness policies should be informed by risk, take insecurity into account, and involve the population. Food production should be based on local resources, local value chains, and good working conditions. This ensures the population access to good and healthy food and reduces unnecessary pressure on other countries' resources. The energy system must be based on efficient energy use and climate and environmentally-friendly energy sources. No one can meet a crisis alone. Creating good cooperation agreements with our neighbouring countries is a way to strengthen our own resistance.

A democratic economy

Value creation based on our common resources should benefit everyone. We need to reduce the concentration of wealth. Money is power. This means that transparency, regulation of the market, and reducing inequality are all necessary.

Market-based solutions can be used to promote green innovation, social entrepreneurship, and resource savings, as long as the markets are regulated so that it doesn’t lead to greater inequality or overuse of natural resources and the workforce.

A spread of ownership and a business sector with many small and medium-sized businesses is important for promoting participation. This is also a way to ensure closeness to the decision-making, the spreading of power, and supply and services where people live. Alternative ownership models that promote cooperation and participation are important for the spread of power and diversity and they can also create a more meaningful working life for many people.

Working life, the business sector, and public institutions cannot fulfil all human needs on their own. This is why civil society is an important part of the green economy, which leads to caretaking, social meetings, and meaningful tasks that are necessary for having good lives.

Favourable conditions for innovation

Good opportunities to create value and workplaces are a source of freedom and wealth for all of society. Policies should ensure the predictability and conditions needed for innovation. In an international economy, the state must take an active role to make sure that the technology development, production, and value creation we wish for can happen locally and in line with the goals of a green economy.

Basic infrastructure and service provision are public responsibilities. Commercial and idealistic actors can also contribute to innovation and creativity. As long as we can avoid vulnerability and unwanted concentration of market power, we have faith that a diversity of actors can contribute to solving the tasks in society.

4. A diverse and inclusive society

The Green Party is an intersectional, feminist, and anti-racist party, which works for equality across different groups.

All humans have the right to make their own choices, express themselves freely, create and receive support to shape their own lives, participate, and exercise their duties as citizens. This freedom encompasses the social, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of existence, as well as the material. All humans have an inherent and inviolable value. Different groups are first and foremost fellow human beings and should be treated accordingly. A thriving volunteering spirit in all its beauty, practiced through sports and politics among other things, is a product of the freedoms we often take for granted in Norway.

The principles in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Norwegian Constitution should regulate a peaceful, democratic, and equal coexistence. An inclusive society takes these into account and places the UN conventions for women, children, and people with disabilities on equal terms with the Norwegian Human Rights Act. Children’s rights are especially vulnerable to violation, and their right to participation must be protected.

Diversity is valuable, but it can also challenge us. Cultural, religious, linguistic, and physical variation can make us more robust and creative as a community, as long as we meet each other with openness, respect, and tolerance. At the same time, culture, tradition, and religion must never be understood as an excuse to discriminate, violate human rights, or undermine democracy. No society or culture is unchangeable or unambiguous. Everyone has the potential for positive development.

A diverse cultural life

Culture builds community and identity. Cultural life can enrich, reflect and problematise our lives, across our differences. Free art and a lively cultural life give people the opportunity to express themselves. Cultural life is also a platform for democratic participation.

For everyone to be able to participate in and enjoy culture, policies must be built on the principles of equality, work to spread power, and be a counterweight to the commercial market. The community has to contribute to ensuring freedom and space for artists and opening up the arts for everyone.

The state has a responsibility to level the imbalance in the relationship between Norwegian language variants and the languages of national minorities, between oral language, written language, sign language, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) 1.

Defending the right of asylum

In the century that lies ahead of us, migration may become more widespread around the world, as a result of climate change among other things. We have to be prepared for a world where more people flee from conflict zones, chaos, lack of food, and extreme weather. As a resourceful democracy, Norway has a particular responsibility to help vulnerable refugees. The right to asylum must be defended, and individuals must never become stateless as a result of political decisions in Norway.

Face-to-face communication through means other than speech, like for example communication books, topic boards, singular symbols, technical solutions etc.

Equality and protection against discrimination

To ensure real equality, we must fight against all negative discrimination and actively work against oppressive ideologies, movements, and societal structures. Gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, belief system, and age are all dimensions that need extra protection against discrimination.

The greater society has a responsibility to fight against prejudice, hate speech, and conspiracy theories. A diverse and open media managed by editors-in-chief, a rich cultural life, independent research, and accessible arenas for participation are requirements for success. To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and be social citizens in an equal way, inclusive design is necessary, meaning that all buildings, surroundings, and services are designed in a way that is universally accessible. Both physically and digitally, and both in the neighbourhood, the local community, and in greater society. Positive discrimination, like affirmative action, can be efficient to counteract systematic under-representation.

Indigenous rights

The Norwegian state has historically, in many different settings and over a long time period, oppressed indigenous people and national minorities. The majority in society has a heavy responsibility to create the foundation for a proper reconciliation process and prevent future abuse. Norway has a special responsibility to secure the rights of the Sami people and the national minorities (Kven people, Jews, Forest Finns, Roma, and Romani people). We have to ensure that indigenous people and national minorities can practice their oral and written languages, their culture, and the management of knowledge on their own premises.

5. Meaningful lives in a safe welfare society

A safe community is a place of growth for meaningful lives. Society should provide good services in childhood, working life, health, housing, and transportation. Welfare policies that secure these services and take their correlation into account give individuals freedom and the ability to take responsibility for themselves and each other.

A green society builds on the Nordic welfare model, where public services and universal solutions are the cornerstones. It is a public responsibility to secure basic rights and material safety. Public, private, ideal, and informal providers can complement each other, cooperate, and enrichen the welfare state.

Free time is an important part of living good lives, taking care of each other, and keeping us informed and engaged in the local community and society. Productivity growth is today used to contribute to a constantly growing overconsumption, but now is the time to prioritise life quality and time over growth in material consumption.

Safety and mastery experiences

A safe childhood is the base of a good life. Children’s need for security and love and lack of abuse and neglect is at the root of policies and the exercise of authority. Children should not grow up in outsiderness and poverty, and they have the right to a childhood environment that is free from harassment and bullying. Parents or guardians should to a large degree have the freedom to and responsibility for meeting the needs of their children. Children and youth should have the opportunity to become creative humans that take responsibility for themselves and their surroundings. Good and accessible kindergartens and schools help contribute to children’s learning and fulfil their need to play, move and stimulate their senses. Education should give children access to experiences with nature, art, and culture through varied subjects, working methods, and educational pathways. All children’s abilities are valuable, and all children should have mastery experiences.

A public school, which uses the best available knowledge about children’s development, is the foundation of the educational system. These mixed public schools ensure that children from different backgrounds meet. Schools should help children develop critical thinking abilities, human compassion, and the ability to handle conflict. Alternatives outside of the public school system are valuable contributions to the educational system.

Participation and meaning

To create, interact, be involved, and participate is a source of meaning in life. It also makes us able to solve the tasks in society. Participation in working life makes us economically independent and lets us realise our own potential, and at the same time, the workplace is a social arena. The individual’s right to dignity and security must at the same time be taken care of for everyone, no matter what their connection to the workforce is.

Physical, cultural, technological, and economic barriers that keep people from participating today must be removed. A green society adapts practically and economically so that more people can participate and contribute, through paid work and in other ways.

Public health in a generous society

A green society strengthens public health throughout life. Preventative health work is of great importance and should be practiced in all areas of society. The driving forces behind ill health should be defeated. Among them are achievement pressure, loneliness, pollution, stress, outsiderness, and inequality.

Everyone must have access to health services. Public health services must be free and mainly publicly financed. Public health services must be prepared to meet people with a holistic understanding of physical and mental health and the correlation between them.

A fair drug policy works to help rather than punish. In a green society, there is a balance between caretaking at home and in good institutions. Everyone has the right to good care and attention, including people who do not have relatives present in their lives. Voluntary participation, from individuals and civil societies, is valuable both for the individual and the community.

Humane surroundings

We have to prioritise non-motorists to ensure good local communities. Children should be safe in their surroundings, without the risk of being hit by a vehicle or subjected to pollution. After non-motorists – those who walk, cycle, or roll – emission-free public transport solutions must be prioritised. Society should be adapted in a way that ensures people with different abilities can participate. We need good and safe roads in the districts. At the same time, road investments should always prioritise good maintenance, road safety (including for non-motorists), and climate-secure solutions, rather than increased capacity and higher speed. The housing sector must be regulated, so that we can access good homes at affordable prices. We must encourage and facilitate alternative living arrangements which consider ecological and human needs. People in different conditions and with differing abilities should be able to live good lives in varied forms of housing in different phases of life. In central areas, important services should be within walking distance of where people live. Everyone needs access to good, free, and public meeting places, and inviting surroundings.

6. Active peace policies

Ecological and social sustainability, democracy, human rights, and respect for life are the conditions that must be met to create lasting peace. Non-violence is both an ideal and an important tool. Non-violent resistance and dialogue can soften and solve conflicts when they arise. Educational work, cooperation, and mutual understanding between people and states can reduce the need for violent power to a minimum and contribute to people wanting to live together in peace.

Increased international cooperation and stronger international organisations can be important steps on the way. Norway should contribute with active peace policies in international fora and continue to build on our tradition of facilitating peace negotiations. At the same time, peace is more than just an absence of war. When regimes subject their own citizens to genocide and crimes against humanity, the international community has both the right and the duty to interfere. Norway has a moral responsibility to support non-violent, pro-democratic movements against authoritarian regimes.

Limits to the use of military power

The use of military power includes violence which is in itself destructive. Military means must be the absolute last resource, in accordance with the UN pact, and it must be combined with civil, non-violent, and humanitarian efforts, also after the end of an armed conflict. Norway should not participate in offensive military operations.

Norwegian participation in international military operations should normally be anchored in a UN mandate. In situations where a veto power blocks a resolution to hinder genocide or crimes against humanity, intervening might still be the right thing to do if there is broad international support. When the international community uses military intervention, we are obliged to follow up on the work of securing peace and stability.

Norway is dependent on military cooperation with like-minded states to ensure the security of the kingdom. The total defence and our participation in military alliances should be arranged to defend our land and the land that belongs to our allies.

A restrictive weapon policy

Norway’s export policy for weapons should be restrictive. This should not stand in the way of supporting fights for freedom by independent states subjected to a war of aggression that goes against international law.

The arsenals of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction are serious threats to all life. Any and all use of these weapons should be prevented, and Norway and the international community must actively work to disarm and eliminate them. We also have to prevent the development and spread of autonomous weapon systems that can kill without meaningful human interaction.

7. International cooperation

We are part of a global community. International cooperation is a prerequisite for solidarity and for our ability to live good lives in Norway. Not only in terms of climate change, but also in regard to the loss of nature and the work against poverty and for peace, democracy, and human rights.

Resources and wealth are very unfairly distributed around the world. Those with the least resources, who have polluted the least, often get hit the hardest. The climate and nature crisis hits differently and unjustly. International cooperation must work against inequality globally and locally.

A small economy with a large responsibility

Economic cooperation, investments, and trade give Norway both the responsibility and the opportunity to influence the world outside of our own borders. Norway’s enormous Oil Fund is based on income sources with high emissions of climate gases. This makes Norway one of the countries in the world with the most responsibility and opportunities in the fight against climate change. For this reason, the fund must be used to invest in climate solutions and compensate countries and regions that are hit hard by climate change. Trade must adhere to ethical standards and work against systematic inequality and poverty, unjust working conditions, destruction of nature and ecosystems, and human rights violations.

European cooperation

Cooperation with Europe is necessary to combat climate change, ensure security, and strengthen human rights. Norway contributes to preventing future conflicts and building good and sustainable societies in cooperation with European democracies. Together with European institutions, we want to contribute to ensuring democratic control over the economy, combatting social dumping, and reducing inequality and power concentration.

A democratic UN

In a world where everyone depends on each other, national interests must sometimes give way to the global community. International organs are needed to solve supranational tasks and the UN must be strengthened. Norway has to work for a more democratic, powerful, and efficient UN, where important international questions are not guided by national or commercial interests.

8. Digital rights

The principles for a good society are also applicable to the part of life that is lived in digital rooms. Participation in the digital sphere involves both responsibilities and rights.

Equal access to the internet

Language, age, or disability should limit the opportunity to use the internet as little as possible for adult citizens. When society demands a digital presence, it is especially important that non-digital citizens are offered a satisfactory alternative. Digital access should not depend on a specific software or technical solution, as long as that’s possible.

Protection against surveillance

Privacy protection and freedom of communication are important and should be secured against random interventions from the state, commercial actors, and other citizens. Surveillance and other interventions in citizens' communication without forcible consent should only happen when criminal behaviour is strongly suspected. Surveillance by the state is a threat to the freedom of speech.

To share personal data, including tracing, should not be a prerequisite to using the internet. Private citizens must have the right to remain anonymous, send encrypted information, and know what personal data is being saved. Personal data should not be handed over without informed consent.

Digital responsibility for citizens

Internet and culture are important global commons that must be taken good care of. Through being the media that gives us access to citizen rights like freedom of speech and association, the internet offers us near limitless opportunities to create, self-express, and share ideas and knowledge. For that reason, a free, open, and neutral internet must be seen as a basic infrastructure, available to everyone.

At the same time, we have to be aware of how different platforms can be abused and used for discrimination and the promotion of anti-democratic activities. Children and youth need extra protection, including against online bullying, exclusion, and exposure.

Conclusion

Green policies can never be final developed solutions to all existing and future challenges. For that reason, we keep a modest and listening attitude in meetings with people, knowledge, and civil societies – like the international environmental, peace, and solidarity movements – so that our policies can keep moving forward into new times, with new insights and new understanding. Translated by: Benedicte Gyllensten