A/HRC/43/53/Add.2 70. Civil society organizations also raised concerns about the Government’s management practices for large carnivores and questioned the ethical legitimacy of killing whales. Populations of wolves, brown bears, wolverines and lynx are so low that they are on the Norwegian Red List of Species, yet they remain subject to hunting and culling, which will prevent these species from recovering to sustainable levels. The Government has set the whaling quota for 2019 at 1,278 minke whales, which it asserts is a sustainable level of harvest based on population estimates. The latest data from the Government indicate that 408 minke whales have been killed so far in 2019. Norway, Japan and Iceland are the world’s leading nations in terms of whales killed annually. H. Sustainable consumption and production 71. Sustainable Development Goal 12 is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns by 2030. This is one of the most challenging Goals for Nordic countries, which “stand out as over-consumers of natural resources and substantial producers of wastes of all kinds”.36 Indeed, the Government of Norway acknowledges that it is “sobering to note that we would need more than two planet Earths if everyone were to have the same consumption patterns as the average Norwegian”.37 Norway recognizes that wealthy nations are putting so much pressure on the environment and natural resources that other nations cannot improve their welfare without exceeding environmental tolerance limits. 72. For Norway to address today’s overconsumption will be challenging because of the political difficulty of addressing sustainable consumption and production issues and the complexities caused by the cross-cutting and systemic nature of these issues, which affect all sectors of the economy. 38 It will require bold, visionary and ambitious politicians, innovative and long-sighted businesses and highly motivated citizens. However, shifting to a future with a circular economy powered by renewable energy is essential in order to fulfil the development aspirations of less wealthy nations, while protecting populations from human rights violations due to the impacts of environmental degradation. I. Urban sustainability 73. More than 80 per cent of Norwegians live in cities and towns. In today’s rapidly urbanizing world, it is essential that the urban environment be well protected, in order to ensure that human rights are respected and so that residents are healthy, happy and able to enjoy a high quality of life. Under Norwegian law, local governments have extensive responsibilities and powers in the field of environmental protection. 74. Oslo is one of the world’s greenest cities. Named the European Green Capital for 2019, Oslo is blessed by tremendous natural and financial wealth. The population of 670,000 is growing rapidly, with an additional 100,000 residents expected by 2030. The municipal government has made many decisions over a period of decades that, combined with strong State environmental policies, have contributed to its leadership. Oslo was one of the first cities to prepare a climate budget (an integrated strategy to address climate change), has aggressive goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is implementing measures to reduce emissions from key sectors, including transport, waste incineration and construction. 75. A remarkable 66 per cent of Oslo is covered by the Marka Forest, which is protected by legislation. In terms of access to nature, an exemplary 98 per cent of residents live within 300 metres of an urban green space. The municipal government, in partnership with non-governmental organizations, offers programmes that are specifically geared towards introducing immigrants and newcomers to the natural wonders and outdoor recreation opportunities that are a central element of Norwegian culture. 36 37 38 14 Nordic Council of Ministers, Sustainable Consumption and Production: An Analysis of Nordic Progress Towards SDG12, and the Way Ahead (Copenhagen, 2018). Norway, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, One Year Closer 2018. Nordic Council of Ministers, Sustainable Consumption and Production.