Environmental Sustainability
#2Key Findings
Norway falls into the sample’s top group (rank 2) in the area of environmental sustainability.
A Climate Act aims for a low-emission society by 2050, and mandates a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The act requires the government to update parliament annually with national and sectoral emission reduction plans.
In the transport sector, electrification has been a key focus. By 2022, more than 80% of new passenger cars were electric, making up 21% of all vehicles. The country has a long tradition of environmental regulation to protect the public from environmental health risks. Air pollution remains a concern in some urban areas.
The state has established strict biodiversity targets for protecting forests, “representative” marine areas and other natural areas. Actual progress remains well away from the targets. The country is very active in international climate agreements, and focuses heavily on emission mitigation efforts abroad.
A Climate Act aims for a low-emission society by 2050, and mandates a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The act requires the government to update parliament annually with national and sectoral emission reduction plans.
In the transport sector, electrification has been a key focus. By 2022, more than 80% of new passenger cars were electric, making up 21% of all vehicles. The country has a long tradition of environmental regulation to protect the public from environmental health risks. Air pollution remains a concern in some urban areas.
The state has established strict biodiversity targets for protecting forests, “representative” marine areas and other natural areas. Actual progress remains well away from the targets. The country is very active in international climate agreements, and focuses heavily on emission mitigation efforts abroad.
Graph View
Graph View
How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
The Norwegian Climate Act from 2017 states that Norway shall be a low-emission society by 2050 and that greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 shall be 55% lower than in 1990. The national climate targets shall be achieved in cooperation with the European Union. Norway is part of the EU Emissions Trading System, and national targets are therefore set for non-ETS sectors (transport, agriculture, waste, and other).
The Norwegian CO2 tax, first introduced in 1991, will gradually increase to NOK 2,000/tco2e.
The Climate Act mandates an annual update from the government to parliament, including a national plan and sectoral plans for emission reductions. Additionally, there are specific emission reduction plans for various sectors. For instance, in the transport sector, central policy instruments are electrification and increased use of biofuel.
Norway is an early adopter of electric vehicles (EVs). In 2022, more than 80% of new passenger cars were electric, constituting 21% of the total number of vehicles. Electrification of larger vehicles has progressed more slowly but is beginning to gain momentum. In 2022, 4% of vans were electric.
For the energy sector, CCS remains a central part of the solution.
Norway has had a Climate Act since 2017, which legislates that Norway shall be a “low-emission society” by 2050. “Low-emission society” means that national emissions shall be consistent with the target in the Paris Agreement. The target is for emissions to be 90% – 95% lower in 2050 than in 1990.
The Climate Act mandates that emissions in 2030 be 55% lower than in 1990.
Norway will fulfill its climate policy in cooperation with the EU. Approximately half of Norwegian emissions are covered by the EU ETS. For emissions reduction in the remaining sectors, mainly transport, construction, waste, and agriculture/forestry, the Effort Sharing Regulation and the LULUCF Regulation are included in the EEA agreement, giving Norway binding targets for national non-ETS emissions until 2030.
The polluter-pays principle remains a cornerstone of Norwegian climate strategy, with carbon taxes and the EU ETS placing a price on emissions across various sectors. The government has expressed its ambition to gradually and linearly increase the CO2 levy to NOK 2,000 per metric ton by 2030. This general levy covers most non-ETS emissions, with a few exceptions such as fisheries and greenhouses, which pay a lower levy. The petroleum sector is also included under this general levy.
The Climate Act requires the government to report annually on progress and future plans. This “Green Book” contains sector-specific targets for various sectors: transport, agriculture, waste and f-gases, industry and energy production, petroleum, and forestry and area use.
The transport sector, which constitutes the largest portion of non-ETS emissions, has well-developed action plans. Goals include halving emissions from both land-based and marine (domestic) transport by 2030, relative to 2005 levels. Although these goals have been discussed by parliament, they have not yet been formally adopted. Targets include the transition to zero-emission vehicles – all new small cars should be zero-emission by 2025, and larger vehicles/lorries by 2030 – and an increase in biofuel usage from the current 13% to up to 32% by 2030. Additionally, policies aim to reduce the need for transport through area planning and urbanization, and shift transport to less polluting forms by improving public transport. Decisions on public transport improvements often reside with local authorities; the government plans to support schemes and pilot projects for “urban development” (byvekstavtaler).
For the agriculture sector, the action plan includes a “letter of intent” (intensjonsavtale) between the government and the “agriculture organizations.”
The track record of Norwegian climate policies shows that, despite being a front-runner internationally with CO2 taxes in the 1990s and a strong advocate for international agreements, Norwegian emissions have not significantly reduced since 1990. While the carbon intensity of the economy has declined, increased consumption in goods, transport, and other services has resulted in emissions being only 4.6% lower in 2022 than in 1990. The cornerstone of the national policy has always been to work for a global price on emissions. With the CBD agreement from 2023, there has been increased focus on nature protection; however, Norway is far from the goal of protecting 30% of representative areas, currently at 17.4%.
The Law on Public Procurement of 2017 requires public procurers to use climate and environmental criteria “where relevant.” Five years after the law was adopted, the resulting contribution to a green shift was unimpressive, according to the Office of the Auditor General. Therefore, the government introduced a regulatory change to require weighing climate and environmental criteria at a minimum of 30% in all procurements, effective January 1, 2024.
Examples of effective green public procurement can be found in Norway, such as the procurement of ferry services and emission-free construction sites. In 2014, parliament required the government to mandate zero-emission technology for all national ferry services. Similarly, the Oslo municipality first demanded fossil-free, then emission-free operations for construction sites. These ambitious tenders have facilitated technological development through market dialogue between procurers and bidders, while also creating risk-reducing conditions for progressive suppliers.
The Oslo example has been challenged in courts, but there are now plans to legislate so that all municipalities have the right to make similar demands.
The Anskaffelsesutvalget published its first report in November 2023 and proposed to change the act’s mission statement to incorporate sustainability into its purpose. They also suggested using the terminology “green transition” to emphasize public procurers’ role in transforming the economy.
There are very few cases of climate litigation brought before courts in Norway. Two environmental NGOs, Greenpeace and Natur og Ungdom, initiated a case against the state in 2016, claiming that granting petroleum licenses in the North Sea was unconstitutional, particularly breaching Para 112. The supreme court issued its final verdict in 2020, ruling in favor of the state. The NGOs launched a second court case in the autumn of 2023, with a ruling expected from Oslo County Court in January 2024.
Citations:
Ministry of Climate and Environment. 2023. Climate Change Act https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2017-06-16-60
https://www.efta.int/media/documents/legal-texts/eea/other-legal-documents/adopted-joint-committee-decisions/2019%20-%20English/269-2019.pdf
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2023. “Regjeringas klimastatus og plan.” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokumenter/regjeringas-klimastatus-og-plan/id2997247/
Statistics Norway. 2023. “Fire av fem nye biler i 2022 var elbiler.” https://www.ssb.no/transport-og-reiseliv/landtransport/statistikk/bilparken/artikler/fire-av-fem-nye-biler-i-2022-var-elbiler
The Norwegian CO2 tax, first introduced in 1991, will gradually increase to NOK 2,000/tco2e.
The Climate Act mandates an annual update from the government to parliament, including a national plan and sectoral plans for emission reductions. Additionally, there are specific emission reduction plans for various sectors. For instance, in the transport sector, central policy instruments are electrification and increased use of biofuel.
Norway is an early adopter of electric vehicles (EVs). In 2022, more than 80% of new passenger cars were electric, constituting 21% of the total number of vehicles. Electrification of larger vehicles has progressed more slowly but is beginning to gain momentum. In 2022, 4% of vans were electric.
For the energy sector, CCS remains a central part of the solution.
Norway has had a Climate Act since 2017, which legislates that Norway shall be a “low-emission society” by 2050. “Low-emission society” means that national emissions shall be consistent with the target in the Paris Agreement. The target is for emissions to be 90% – 95% lower in 2050 than in 1990.
The Climate Act mandates that emissions in 2030 be 55% lower than in 1990.
Norway will fulfill its climate policy in cooperation with the EU. Approximately half of Norwegian emissions are covered by the EU ETS. For emissions reduction in the remaining sectors, mainly transport, construction, waste, and agriculture/forestry, the Effort Sharing Regulation and the LULUCF Regulation are included in the EEA agreement, giving Norway binding targets for national non-ETS emissions until 2030.
The polluter-pays principle remains a cornerstone of Norwegian climate strategy, with carbon taxes and the EU ETS placing a price on emissions across various sectors. The government has expressed its ambition to gradually and linearly increase the CO2 levy to NOK 2,000 per metric ton by 2030. This general levy covers most non-ETS emissions, with a few exceptions such as fisheries and greenhouses, which pay a lower levy. The petroleum sector is also included under this general levy.
The Climate Act requires the government to report annually on progress and future plans. This “Green Book” contains sector-specific targets for various sectors: transport, agriculture, waste and f-gases, industry and energy production, petroleum, and forestry and area use.
The transport sector, which constitutes the largest portion of non-ETS emissions, has well-developed action plans. Goals include halving emissions from both land-based and marine (domestic) transport by 2030, relative to 2005 levels. Although these goals have been discussed by parliament, they have not yet been formally adopted. Targets include the transition to zero-emission vehicles – all new small cars should be zero-emission by 2025, and larger vehicles/lorries by 2030 – and an increase in biofuel usage from the current 13% to up to 32% by 2030. Additionally, policies aim to reduce the need for transport through area planning and urbanization, and shift transport to less polluting forms by improving public transport. Decisions on public transport improvements often reside with local authorities; the government plans to support schemes and pilot projects for “urban development” (byvekstavtaler).
For the agriculture sector, the action plan includes a “letter of intent” (intensjonsavtale) between the government and the “agriculture organizations.”
The track record of Norwegian climate policies shows that, despite being a front-runner internationally with CO2 taxes in the 1990s and a strong advocate for international agreements, Norwegian emissions have not significantly reduced since 1990. While the carbon intensity of the economy has declined, increased consumption in goods, transport, and other services has resulted in emissions being only 4.6% lower in 2022 than in 1990. The cornerstone of the national policy has always been to work for a global price on emissions. With the CBD agreement from 2023, there has been increased focus on nature protection; however, Norway is far from the goal of protecting 30% of representative areas, currently at 17.4%.
The Law on Public Procurement of 2017 requires public procurers to use climate and environmental criteria “where relevant.” Five years after the law was adopted, the resulting contribution to a green shift was unimpressive, according to the Office of the Auditor General. Therefore, the government introduced a regulatory change to require weighing climate and environmental criteria at a minimum of 30% in all procurements, effective January 1, 2024.
Examples of effective green public procurement can be found in Norway, such as the procurement of ferry services and emission-free construction sites. In 2014, parliament required the government to mandate zero-emission technology for all national ferry services. Similarly, the Oslo municipality first demanded fossil-free, then emission-free operations for construction sites. These ambitious tenders have facilitated technological development through market dialogue between procurers and bidders, while also creating risk-reducing conditions for progressive suppliers.
The Oslo example has been challenged in courts, but there are now plans to legislate so that all municipalities have the right to make similar demands.
The Anskaffelsesutvalget published its first report in November 2023 and proposed to change the act’s mission statement to incorporate sustainability into its purpose. They also suggested using the terminology “green transition” to emphasize public procurers’ role in transforming the economy.
There are very few cases of climate litigation brought before courts in Norway. Two environmental NGOs, Greenpeace and Natur og Ungdom, initiated a case against the state in 2016, claiming that granting petroleum licenses in the North Sea was unconstitutional, particularly breaching Para 112. The supreme court issued its final verdict in 2020, ruling in favor of the state. The NGOs launched a second court case in the autumn of 2023, with a ruling expected from Oslo County Court in January 2024.
Citations:
Ministry of Climate and Environment. 2023. Climate Change Act https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2017-06-16-60
https://www.efta.int/media/documents/legal-texts/eea/other-legal-documents/adopted-joint-committee-decisions/2019%20-%20English/269-2019.pdf
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2023. “Regjeringas klimastatus og plan.” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokumenter/regjeringas-klimastatus-og-plan/id2997247/
Statistics Norway. 2023. “Fire av fem nye biler i 2022 var elbiler.” https://www.ssb.no/transport-og-reiseliv/landtransport/statistikk/bilparken/artikler/fire-av-fem-nye-biler-i-2022-var-elbiler
Graph View
How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
Norway has a long tradition of environmental regulation to protect the public from environmental health risks. Current legislation aligns with EU regulations through the EEA agreement. Norway is also a signatory to international agreements such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes, and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. International cooperation is crucial for Norwegian policies on protecting against environmental health risks.
Central EU directives, such as the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment, are undergoing revision, and these processes are being closely monitored. Proposed revisions to the IED by the EU will necessitate changes in Norwegian regulations but not legislation. In contrast, the proposed revisions to the Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment could have more significant implications for Norway due to its long coastline and cold climate. The rapid pace and volume of regulatory changes in the EU may explain why Norwegian authorities seem to be undertaking few independent initiatives. Ensuring compliance with revised EU legislation will be challenging, requiring better data, improved coordination among governance levels in Norway, and potentially a redefinition of responsibilities among different governance levels.
A government White Paper (Meld.St. 14-2015-16), titled “Natur for livet,” set out an action plan for preserving biodiversity. Binding actions include a 10% target for the protection of forests, the protection of “representative” marine areas, and the regular revision of ecosystem-based marine management plans. As of 2023, the target for forest protection has not been reached.
An Action Plan for Non-Toxic Lives (from 2021) emphasizes Norway’s active involvement in international forums to reduce pollution and ban toxic materials. Prioritized policy areas include improving factual knowledge through monitoring and research, enhancing international cooperation to ban several materials (explicitly mentioning PFAS), and emphasizing that the strategy is nonbinding. The Norwegian Environmental Agency and Norwegian municipalities are working to stay abreast of regulatory developments in the EU, which will become binding.
The risk of premature death from air pollution is relatively low in Norway, but air quality leads to serious health problems in some urban areas. Attention to this issue increased significantly after Norway lost in the EFTA Court in 2015 for breaching the air quality directive. National targets for air quality are currently under revision to reflect stricter targets from the WHO. Both national and local authorities are engaged in improving air quality. Existing targets were missed by between 17% and 26% in 2022.
Municipalities bear primary responsibility for implementing air quality policies. The Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) coordinates stakeholders and disseminates knowledge. Alongside the Norwegian Institute for Public Health, the NEA monitors status and progress. Municipalities have increasingly engaged in improving local air quality.
The quality of biodiversity in freshwater is generally good, although approximately 25% of rivers and lakes are in less-than-good condition. Much of the country consists of forests and mountains, which benefit water quality. However, in regions with higher population density and/or agricultural activities, water conditions are worse. A 2022 report on lake eutrophication concluded that trends are heading in the wrong direction (Solheim A.L. et al., 2022). Similar to much of Europe, biodiversity in Norway’s water bodies has plateaued since 2010.
An assessment of the ecological condition of three marine ecosystems conducted in 2023 concluded that two out of the three ecosystems are substantially impacted by human pressures. Management plans exist for all areas.
There are strict limits on the release of environmental contaminants from various industries in Norway, including those on land, the offshore oil and gas industry, aquaculture, wastewater treatment, and other sectors. Over the past 15–20 years, releases from these sources have been significantly reduced. However, there are sites in Norway where the soil and sediment are heavily polluted. High levels of environmental contaminants at these sites, if released into water, can cause toxic effects in the aquatic environment. Information about known polluted soils is publicly accessible through the NEA, which enhances transparency.
The NEA develops action plans for several problem areas or ecosystems, such as plastics, chemicals, air quality, and noise. There is a “priority list” for dangerous chemicals that is updated regularly. The requirements from the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan and ensuing legislation are being implemented within the appropriate national regulatory framework. This may partly explain the authorities’ tardiness in presenting national updates and follow-up reports for the EU action plan.
Citations:
Haase, P., Bowler, D.E., Baker, N.J. et al. 2023. “The Recovery of European Freshwater Biodiversity Has Come to a Halt.” Nature 620: 582–588. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2021. Handlingsplan for ein giftfri kvardag 2021-2024. https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/d373524448ca40859eb8414d2a0a68ea/t-1578n.pdf
Ministry of Climate and Environment. 2015. Nature for Life – Norway’s National Biodiversity Action Plan. White Paper no. 14 (2015-2016). https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/meld.-st.-14-20152016/id2468099/?ch=1
Miljøstatus. 2024. “Miljømål 4.6. Å sikre trygg luft.” https://miljostatus.miljodirektoratet.no/miljomal/forurensning/miljomal-4.6/
Solheim, A. L., et al. 2022. “Eutrofiering av norske innsjøer. Tilstand og trender.” NIVA-rapport 7744-2022. https://niva.brage.unit.no/niva-xmlui/handle/11250/3014661
State of the Environment Norway. 2023. “Environmental Contaminants.” https://www.environment.no/topics/environmental-contaminants/
Central EU directives, such as the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment, are undergoing revision, and these processes are being closely monitored. Proposed revisions to the IED by the EU will necessitate changes in Norwegian regulations but not legislation. In contrast, the proposed revisions to the Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment could have more significant implications for Norway due to its long coastline and cold climate. The rapid pace and volume of regulatory changes in the EU may explain why Norwegian authorities seem to be undertaking few independent initiatives. Ensuring compliance with revised EU legislation will be challenging, requiring better data, improved coordination among governance levels in Norway, and potentially a redefinition of responsibilities among different governance levels.
A government White Paper (Meld.St. 14-2015-16), titled “Natur for livet,” set out an action plan for preserving biodiversity. Binding actions include a 10% target for the protection of forests, the protection of “representative” marine areas, and the regular revision of ecosystem-based marine management plans. As of 2023, the target for forest protection has not been reached.
An Action Plan for Non-Toxic Lives (from 2021) emphasizes Norway’s active involvement in international forums to reduce pollution and ban toxic materials. Prioritized policy areas include improving factual knowledge through monitoring and research, enhancing international cooperation to ban several materials (explicitly mentioning PFAS), and emphasizing that the strategy is nonbinding. The Norwegian Environmental Agency and Norwegian municipalities are working to stay abreast of regulatory developments in the EU, which will become binding.
The risk of premature death from air pollution is relatively low in Norway, but air quality leads to serious health problems in some urban areas. Attention to this issue increased significantly after Norway lost in the EFTA Court in 2015 for breaching the air quality directive. National targets for air quality are currently under revision to reflect stricter targets from the WHO. Both national and local authorities are engaged in improving air quality. Existing targets were missed by between 17% and 26% in 2022.
Municipalities bear primary responsibility for implementing air quality policies. The Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) coordinates stakeholders and disseminates knowledge. Alongside the Norwegian Institute for Public Health, the NEA monitors status and progress. Municipalities have increasingly engaged in improving local air quality.
The quality of biodiversity in freshwater is generally good, although approximately 25% of rivers and lakes are in less-than-good condition. Much of the country consists of forests and mountains, which benefit water quality. However, in regions with higher population density and/or agricultural activities, water conditions are worse. A 2022 report on lake eutrophication concluded that trends are heading in the wrong direction (Solheim A.L. et al., 2022). Similar to much of Europe, biodiversity in Norway’s water bodies has plateaued since 2010.
An assessment of the ecological condition of three marine ecosystems conducted in 2023 concluded that two out of the three ecosystems are substantially impacted by human pressures. Management plans exist for all areas.
There are strict limits on the release of environmental contaminants from various industries in Norway, including those on land, the offshore oil and gas industry, aquaculture, wastewater treatment, and other sectors. Over the past 15–20 years, releases from these sources have been significantly reduced. However, there are sites in Norway where the soil and sediment are heavily polluted. High levels of environmental contaminants at these sites, if released into water, can cause toxic effects in the aquatic environment. Information about known polluted soils is publicly accessible through the NEA, which enhances transparency.
The NEA develops action plans for several problem areas or ecosystems, such as plastics, chemicals, air quality, and noise. There is a “priority list” for dangerous chemicals that is updated regularly. The requirements from the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan and ensuing legislation are being implemented within the appropriate national regulatory framework. This may partly explain the authorities’ tardiness in presenting national updates and follow-up reports for the EU action plan.
Citations:
Haase, P., Bowler, D.E., Baker, N.J. et al. 2023. “The Recovery of European Freshwater Biodiversity Has Come to a Halt.” Nature 620: 582–588. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2021. Handlingsplan for ein giftfri kvardag 2021-2024. https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/d373524448ca40859eb8414d2a0a68ea/t-1578n.pdf
Ministry of Climate and Environment. 2015. Nature for Life – Norway’s National Biodiversity Action Plan. White Paper no. 14 (2015-2016). https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/meld.-st.-14-20152016/id2468099/?ch=1
Miljøstatus. 2024. “Miljømål 4.6. Å sikre trygg luft.” https://miljostatus.miljodirektoratet.no/miljomal/forurensning/miljomal-4.6/
Solheim, A. L., et al. 2022. “Eutrofiering av norske innsjøer. Tilstand og trender.” NIVA-rapport 7744-2022. https://niva.brage.unit.no/niva-xmlui/handle/11250/3014661
State of the Environment Norway. 2023. “Environmental Contaminants.” https://www.environment.no/topics/environmental-contaminants/
Graph View
How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
Norwegian governments have presented several action plans for biodiversity, most recently in 2015. The Natural Diversity Act, introduced in 2009, is a crucial cornerstone for biodiversity work and ecosystem protection and is legally binding. The act has been evaluated multiple times, with conclusions indicating that it has not caused the deterioration of ecosystems but has not significantly improved them either.
The Kunming-Montreal framework establishes a 30% target for preservation areas. The former target of 15% preservation by 2020 was not reached until two years later, in 2022. With the 2023 CBD agreement, there has been an increased focus on nature protection, but Norway is still far from the goal of protecting 30% of representative areas, currently at 17.4%. While the 30% target is challenging, processes are underway to preserve an additional 600 square kilometers of “valuable nature,” representing a diverse set of nature types in addition to marine areas and forests, which have separate preservation targets. So far, this has resulted in the creation of one new preservation area of 70 square kilometers.
Norway has 24 environmental and climate goals, three of which explicitly target “well-functioning ecosystems,” while another three focus on polar regions and Svalbard. There are action plans for a variety of ecosystems, species, and geographical areas. The Norwegian Environmental Agency (NEA) monitors 22 indicators for “well-functioning ecosystems” and 14 additional indicators for the polar regions.
The Kunming-Montreal framework requires parties to present new and updated action plans in 2024. The Norwegian government is planning a White Paper for 2024, based on an extensive process with input from stakeholders. The NEA is also working on establishing systems for ecosystem accounting based on the UN SEEA, with a first version envisioned to appear in 2026.
Responsibility for implementing biodiversity preservation is shared between municipalities, which have primary responsibility for area planning, and national agencies, with the NEA being central among them. Norway’s tradition of local autonomy and its more than 350 municipalities – half of which have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants – challenge the effective implementation of harmonized and universal standards for environmental protection. The regulatory framework is occasionally conflicting, and this, coupled with lacking or low-quality datasets for local conditions, results in a fragmented structure where public administrative processes can yield widely different results in various geographical locations. This problem is not specific to Norway. Methodologies for ecosystem accounting are under development, and implementing a common global standard will necessarily take time. While improvements are expected over time, evaluations from a decade and a half of specific legislation for biodiversity and ecosystems suggest that Norway’s fragmented politico-administrative system may not be sufficiently equipped to ensure very high-quality preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Citations:
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2023. “Det globale Kunming-Montreal-rammeverket for naturmangfold (Naturavtalen).” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/naturmangfold/innsiktsartikler-naturmangfold/det-globale-kunming-montreal-rammeverket-for-naturmangfold-naturavtalen/id2987476/
Ministry of Climate and Environment. 2015. “Nature for Life – Norway’s National Biodiversity Action Plan.” White Paper no. 14 (2015-2016). https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/meld.-st.-14-20152016/id2468099/?ch=1
Ministry of the Environment. 2009. Nature Diversity Act. Act of 19 June 2009 No.100 Relating to the Management of Biological, Geological and Landscape Diversity. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/nature-diversity-act/id570549/
Miljødirektoratet [Norwegian Environment Agency]. n.d. “Norges 82 miljøindikatorer.” https://miljostatus.miljodirektoratet.no/miljomal/miljoindikatorer-
Miljødirektoratet [Norwegian Environment Agency]. n.d. “Naturregnskap.” https://www.miljodirektoratet.no/ansvarsomrader/overvaking-arealplanlegging/naturregnskap/
Riksrevisjonen. 2018. “Undersøkelse av miljømyndighetenes etterlevelse av naturmangfoldloven.” https://www.riksrevisjonen.no/rapporter-mappe/no-2018-2019/undersokelse-av-miljomyndighetenes-etterlevelse-av-naturmangfoldloven
The Kunming-Montreal framework establishes a 30% target for preservation areas. The former target of 15% preservation by 2020 was not reached until two years later, in 2022. With the 2023 CBD agreement, there has been an increased focus on nature protection, but Norway is still far from the goal of protecting 30% of representative areas, currently at 17.4%. While the 30% target is challenging, processes are underway to preserve an additional 600 square kilometers of “valuable nature,” representing a diverse set of nature types in addition to marine areas and forests, which have separate preservation targets. So far, this has resulted in the creation of one new preservation area of 70 square kilometers.
Norway has 24 environmental and climate goals, three of which explicitly target “well-functioning ecosystems,” while another three focus on polar regions and Svalbard. There are action plans for a variety of ecosystems, species, and geographical areas. The Norwegian Environmental Agency (NEA) monitors 22 indicators for “well-functioning ecosystems” and 14 additional indicators for the polar regions.
The Kunming-Montreal framework requires parties to present new and updated action plans in 2024. The Norwegian government is planning a White Paper for 2024, based on an extensive process with input from stakeholders. The NEA is also working on establishing systems for ecosystem accounting based on the UN SEEA, with a first version envisioned to appear in 2026.
Responsibility for implementing biodiversity preservation is shared between municipalities, which have primary responsibility for area planning, and national agencies, with the NEA being central among them. Norway’s tradition of local autonomy and its more than 350 municipalities – half of which have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants – challenge the effective implementation of harmonized and universal standards for environmental protection. The regulatory framework is occasionally conflicting, and this, coupled with lacking or low-quality datasets for local conditions, results in a fragmented structure where public administrative processes can yield widely different results in various geographical locations. This problem is not specific to Norway. Methodologies for ecosystem accounting are under development, and implementing a common global standard will necessarily take time. While improvements are expected over time, evaluations from a decade and a half of specific legislation for biodiversity and ecosystems suggest that Norway’s fragmented politico-administrative system may not be sufficiently equipped to ensure very high-quality preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Citations:
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2023. “Det globale Kunming-Montreal-rammeverket for naturmangfold (Naturavtalen).” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/naturmangfold/innsiktsartikler-naturmangfold/det-globale-kunming-montreal-rammeverket-for-naturmangfold-naturavtalen/id2987476/
Ministry of Climate and Environment. 2015. “Nature for Life – Norway’s National Biodiversity Action Plan.” White Paper no. 14 (2015-2016). https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/meld.-st.-14-20152016/id2468099/?ch=1
Ministry of the Environment. 2009. Nature Diversity Act. Act of 19 June 2009 No.100 Relating to the Management of Biological, Geological and Landscape Diversity. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/nature-diversity-act/id570549/
Miljødirektoratet [Norwegian Environment Agency]. n.d. “Norges 82 miljøindikatorer.” https://miljostatus.miljodirektoratet.no/miljomal/miljoindikatorer-
Miljødirektoratet [Norwegian Environment Agency]. n.d. “Naturregnskap.” https://www.miljodirektoratet.no/ansvarsomrader/overvaking-arealplanlegging/naturregnskap/
Riksrevisjonen. 2018. “Undersøkelse av miljømyndighetenes etterlevelse av naturmangfoldloven.” https://www.riksrevisjonen.no/rapporter-mappe/no-2018-2019/undersokelse-av-miljomyndighetenes-etterlevelse-av-naturmangfoldloven
Graph View
To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
10
9
9
Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
8
7
6
7
6
Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
5
4
3
4
3
Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
2
1
1
Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
Norwegian governments are highly supportive of international initiatives to address global challenges such as the climate and nature crises. The Ministry of Climate and the Environment is responsible for negotiating, implementing, and following up on international climate and environmental conventions. Norway is a key driving force in international negotiations, such as those under the Paris Agreement for climate and the Convention on Biological Diversity for biodiversity. It actively participates in global efforts to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants through organizations like the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Arctic Council.
Norway engages in multilateral work for sustainable development, including initiatives such as the UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy and the Global Green Growth Institute, for which it was a founding member. Norway is a significant supporter and donor to international climate initiatives, with the Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) being the most important and longest-running program under UN REDD+. Norway is also a key donor to the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, and it contributed to the establishment of the “&Green” fund, which aims to attract risk-taking capital to strengthen investment in sustainable supply chains. Additionally, Norway contributes to multinational development banks and has established bilateral cooperation agreements with environmental authorities in China, India, and South Africa. Priority topics for bilateral cooperation include nature, climate and environmental toxins, marine litter, and the sea. These projects, mostly aimed at administrative cooperation, involve the Norwegian Environment Agency as an important partner and are primarily financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Norway works to ensure that international trade regulations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its other free trade agreements promote green growth and support climate and environmental considerations. The government closely follows regulatory developments in the EU. Through the EEA agreement, the framework for sustainable finance, which ensures the financial industry contributes to the transition to a low-emission society and mitigates climate change, environmental, and social problems, will also apply to Norwegian actors.
As the home country of Gro Harlem Brundtland, who famously chaired the UN-appointed World Commission on Environment and Development in the 1980s, Norway has a long-standing tradition as an international champion of sustainable development. Over the past decades, various governments have sought to maintain this role. In this spirit, the current government also aims to be an important driving force for international efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protect nature, and preserve biodiversity.
The political rationale for this approach begins with the observation that Norway is a relatively small and very open natural resource-based economy with a high reliance on global markets and international trade. Binding international agreements serve as protection against free-rider problems, making capital allocation to support and advance international regulatory frameworks highly legitimate. Additionally, Norway is a “lower-carbon economy than many others” (IEA, 2017: 38). As a result, domestic carbon emission cuts are relatively costly, making mitigation efforts abroad financially more attractive. Norway channels its resources through a broad and multifaceted set of agencies. In addition to Norfund (the government’s investment fund for business in developing countries) and Norad (the directorate for overseas development assistance) – both crucial channels for financial capital – specialists in various fields provide expert knowledge.
Citations:
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2021. “Internasjonalt klima – og miljøsamarbeid.” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/innsiktsartikler-klima-miljo/internasjonalt-klima–og-miljoarbeid/id2339820
Norwegian Ministry
of Climate and Environment. n.d. “Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative – NICFI. About us.” https://www.nicfi.no/about-us/
IEA. 2017. Energy Policies of IEA Countries. Norway 2017 Review. https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-policies-of-iea-countries-norway-2017-review
Schoyen, M. A., Bjørn Hvinden, and M. Dotterud Leiren. 2022. “Chapter 1: Welfare State Sustainability in the 21st Century.” In M. A. Schoyen, B. Hvinden, and M. Dotterud Leiren, eds., Towards Sustainable Welfare States in Europe: Social Policy and Climate Change, 2–27. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104633
Schoyen, M. A., and M. Takle. 2022. “Chapter 7: The Norwegian Sustainability Paradox: Leader Abroad, Laggard at Home.” In M. A. Schoyen, B. Hvinden, and M. D. Leiren, eds., 153–174. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104633.00018
Norway engages in multilateral work for sustainable development, including initiatives such as the UN Partnership for Action on Green Economy and the Global Green Growth Institute, for which it was a founding member. Norway is a significant supporter and donor to international climate initiatives, with the Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) being the most important and longest-running program under UN REDD+. Norway is also a key donor to the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, and it contributed to the establishment of the “&Green” fund, which aims to attract risk-taking capital to strengthen investment in sustainable supply chains. Additionally, Norway contributes to multinational development banks and has established bilateral cooperation agreements with environmental authorities in China, India, and South Africa. Priority topics for bilateral cooperation include nature, climate and environmental toxins, marine litter, and the sea. These projects, mostly aimed at administrative cooperation, involve the Norwegian Environment Agency as an important partner and are primarily financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Norway works to ensure that international trade regulations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its other free trade agreements promote green growth and support climate and environmental considerations. The government closely follows regulatory developments in the EU. Through the EEA agreement, the framework for sustainable finance, which ensures the financial industry contributes to the transition to a low-emission society and mitigates climate change, environmental, and social problems, will also apply to Norwegian actors.
As the home country of Gro Harlem Brundtland, who famously chaired the UN-appointed World Commission on Environment and Development in the 1980s, Norway has a long-standing tradition as an international champion of sustainable development. Over the past decades, various governments have sought to maintain this role. In this spirit, the current government also aims to be an important driving force for international efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protect nature, and preserve biodiversity.
The political rationale for this approach begins with the observation that Norway is a relatively small and very open natural resource-based economy with a high reliance on global markets and international trade. Binding international agreements serve as protection against free-rider problems, making capital allocation to support and advance international regulatory frameworks highly legitimate. Additionally, Norway is a “lower-carbon economy than many others” (IEA, 2017: 38). As a result, domestic carbon emission cuts are relatively costly, making mitigation efforts abroad financially more attractive. Norway channels its resources through a broad and multifaceted set of agencies. In addition to Norfund (the government’s investment fund for business in developing countries) and Norad (the directorate for overseas development assistance) – both crucial channels for financial capital – specialists in various fields provide expert knowledge.
Citations:
Klima – og miljødepartementet. 2021. “Internasjonalt klima – og miljøsamarbeid.” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/innsiktsartikler-klima-miljo/internasjonalt-klima–og-miljoarbeid/id2339820
Norwegian Ministry
of Climate and Environment. n.d. “Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative – NICFI. About us.” https://www.nicfi.no/about-us/
IEA. 2017. Energy Policies of IEA Countries. Norway 2017 Review. https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-policies-of-iea-countries-norway-2017-review
Schoyen, M. A., Bjørn Hvinden, and M. Dotterud Leiren. 2022. “Chapter 1: Welfare State Sustainability in the 21st Century.” In M. A. Schoyen, B. Hvinden, and M. Dotterud Leiren, eds., Towards Sustainable Welfare States in Europe: Social Policy and Climate Change, 2–27. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104633
Schoyen, M. A., and M. Takle. 2022. “Chapter 7: The Norwegian Sustainability Paradox: Leader Abroad, Laggard at Home.” In M. A. Schoyen, B. Hvinden, and M. D. Leiren, eds., 153–174. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104633.00018