Norway climate paper finally published

The Norwegian government finally released its delayed climate white paper last week, claiming it will take ‘offensive’ measures to drastically cut the country’s CO2 emissions by 2050. One of the main goals off the government is to adhere to the two-degree target agreed upon at the COP15 summit in 2009.

“We’re presenting a proactive climate policy. We will strengthen measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions both internationally and in Norway. We are among the countries of the world with the most ambitious goals for climate policy. Now we will intensify our efforts,” Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference.

Among the new initiatives are higher charges for oil rigs and business CO2 emissions as well as tighter regulations on the building industry in terms of household energy supplies. The government wants residential energy use to be ‘passive’ by 2015 and almost zero by 2020.

Household boilers run on fossil fuels are now prohibited, with oil-fired boilers gradually being phased out by 2020. Cash incentives will be offered to those switching towards green energy, and more money will be ploughed into public transport and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We will conduct a long-term, future-oriented restructuring of Norway into a society with low greenhouse gas emissions. It will be easier for people to take climate-friendly choices in their daily lives, and the industry will support the necessary technology. Such a change also means that we must be prepared to implement national climate measures that are more expensive than measures in other countries,” said Environment Minister Bård Vegar Solhjell.