Norway is at the forefront of efforts to secure reductions in CO2 emissions internationally, and has also set itself the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
24/01/2008 :: In mid-January, the majority of Norway’s political parties reached agreement on a number of major steps for reducing emissions:
- Norway is to become carbon neutral by 2030, i.e. all emissions in Norway are to be offset by emission reductions elsewhere.
- About two-thirds of Norway’s total emission reductions are to be achieved in Norway itself.
- Norway is to channel more resources into renewable energy, environmental research and the development of new technologies.
- Norway will promote emission reductions in other countries.
- Norway will finance emission-reduction measures in developing countries in accordance with its Kyoto obligations.
- The authorities will increase allocations to public transport to reduce emissions by the transport sector.
Moreover, in 2007 the Norwegian Government decided to allocate NOK 3 billion annually to efforts to stop deforestation in developing countries.
Today, deforestation in developing countries is releasing carbon dioxide corresponding to about 20 per cent of total global emissions. Photo: WFP/ Brenda Barton.
A demanding task
“We face a demanding task. That is why it is so important that we have a wide-ranging agreement on our response to climate change, that the parties agree that climate change has to be high up on the political agenda. However, this agreement is not the final word. We need to continue to formulate new policy as new knowledge comes to light,” says Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.
Increased investment in public transport is to be rewarded. Photo: Pierre de Brisis/ MFA.
Carrots and sticks
The Norwegian authorities plan to employ both carrots and sticks to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The budget for the scheme to reward cities that invest in public transport is being doubled. Cities are only eligible for grants under the scheme if they conclude binding agreements on measures to reduce motor vehicle traffic. Taxes on petrol and auto diesel will be increased.
Broad agreement on climate change measures
The increased focus on Norway’s response to climate change is the result of an agreement on climate change measures concluded between Norway’s governing parties (the Norwegian Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party of Norway and the Centre Party) and three opposition parties (the Conservative Party, the Norwegian Christian Democratic Party and the Liberal Party). The agreement was concluded on 17 January, and shows that Norway is willing to take the lead in adopting concrete national and international targets to address climate change.
Norway is focusing on renewable energy. Photo: Petter Foss/ MFA.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs