The Natural Way Forward Government Vision 2014 is a strategic document setting out the major strands of government policy as they will be shaped in consultation with provincial and municipal authorities. It is one step in a long process of change. In addition to these strands and a number of long-term objectives, the document also describes actions for the short term needed to make a concerted effort to achieve our common goal: a strong form of nature thriving in a dynamic society.
The new perspective has five important consequences for Dutch nature policy. 1. Nature policy will be based on the principle that species and habitats diversity is a prerequisite for a good quality of life on earth. The significance for society reaches beyond the conservation of biodiversity alone and justifies our nature policy. Nature is the decisive factor for the quality of our living environment, our food, our water, the air that we breathe, the beauty of our environment, peacefulness and energy. 2. Nature policy will be designed to improve people s social wellbeing by contributing to a responsible, sustainable treatment of nature; and by protecting, using and experiencing it. This implies a broad concept of nature encompassing not only special nature reserves and rare species of plants and animals but also the everyday world of nature, close to home. 3. The policy will be made more effective by giving people a greater say in decisions about nature in their direct surroundings to allow scope for their self-organising skills and by encouraging nature- inclusive uses. 4. The policy will improve the utilisation of nature by investing in combination of nature with other uses, such as health care, welfare, culture, economy and safety. 5. The policy will focus on developing nature which is robust, able to take some wear and tear, nature that enjoys the support of society.
Towards a more sustainable agriculture and food production, the challenge of increasing productivity and reducing the use of raw materials will be met in a way that responds to the rising demand for food, improves the quality of the living environment and leaves the reserves of raw materials intact. In short: more agriculture and more nature as well. This will be possible through a more nature-inclusive agriculture, a way of food production that is economically woven into nature to the benefit of both. This route offers major opportunities for Dutch agriculture in the long term. The government therefore encourages the development of this nature-inclusive agriculture and of more efficient raw material chains. Efforts for sustainability also require international cooperation and international harmonisation. The government therefore aims to focus its international efforts on the sustainable protection and utilisation of natural resources. Working towards more sustainable timber and farming sectors for instance, is linked to a stronger nature and more biodiversity. Green enterprise is another key to the government s vision for nature of the future. Through sustainable trade chains and sustainable consumption and innovation nature in the Netherlands is to become an important component of green growth. This is possible when parties in society invest in nature or when nature becomes an integral part of a business strategy or a production chain. National government and provincial authorities will play a facilitating role in this process.
To enable a more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, public involvement in nature will be nourished at every level. This will result in nature being expanded, better perceived, embedded at every level of society, and supported by the commitment of the public, businesses and private organizations. Nature will thus not need to be defended against society but is an indispensable and integral part of it. Public involvement will not only benefit nature but also biodiversity and its associated national and international objectives. The endeavor to place nature at the heart of society is based on the government s vision that society is shaped by its people, not by its government. The publication of this Vision is followed up by a round of consultations with the civil society to learn what must be done to accelerate the desired developments. This will then serve as the basis for a public implementation programme to be drawn up by the government, provincial authorities, businesses and civil society organisations.
Regarding governance, the Pact for Nature places the responsibility for nature policy with provincial authorities, closer to the people. Under this Pact provincial authorities have entered into agreements with social partners (the Manifest parties) describing their role in the implementation of this policy.