About Naturvernforbundet

Naturvernforbundet consists of over 37,000 members in more than 100 local groups, working to solve environmental issues both locally and globally.

Lofoten

Founded in 1914, Norges Naturvernforbund/Naturvernforbundet (Friends of the Earth Norway) is Norway’s oldest environmental and nature protection organisation. Naturvernforbundet is membership based and democratic, and consists of over 37,000 members in more than 100 local groups across the country, working to solve environmental issues both locally and globally.

Our main goal is to protect the nature and environment so that human activity does not exceed the tolerance limits of our planet. We are engaged in a wide range of issues in environmental and nature conservation, but work specifically with the areas conservation, climate change, energy and transportation.

Although we have a national agenda, many environmental questions have proven to have an international or even global character. Issues concerning development, resource allocations and international cooperation are very much part of our everyday activities.

Our organisation is governed by a national executive committee and a central committee, both headed by the organization’s elected leader Truls Gulowsen. Secretary General Gro Holstad leads the sectetariat in Oslo, as well as several employees around the country.

Naturvernforbundet issues the publication “Natur & Miljø” («Nature and the environment»), which has a high focus on global climate change, energy and development issues.

Our secretariat is located in the centre of Oslo (See map here). We also have employees scattered across Norway in regional and local offices. “Nature and Youth” is our youth organisation, while our organisation for children is called «the Eco-agents”.

A member of Friends of the Earth International, Naturvernforbundet is Norway’s representative in the world’s largest grassroots environmental network with more than 2 millon members worldwide. Together we campaign today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

Statement of purpose

(As stated in our bylaws, first paragraph)


«The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature/Friends of the Earth Norway will strive to protect nature and the environment in such a way that human activity does not exceed the carrying capacity of nature.

The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature/Friends of the Earth Norway will work for a society where people live in harmony with nature.

This is a society where the basis and diversity of life is secured for future generations, and where nature’s own values are the foundation of the work to increase man’s respect for, and love of, life and landscape.»