Norwegian climate policy
Norwegian climate policy is based on the goal of limiting the average rise in global temperature to no more than 2ºC above the pre-industrial level. Norway is working actively towards stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous, anthropogenic interference with the climate systems.
Norway will comply with its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the period from 2008-2012 to less than one per cent above the 1990 level. Norway is also actively seeking the implementation of a more comprehensive and ambitious global climate regime for the period after 2012.
Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative
Greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries account for 17,4 % of the world’s total annual CO2 emissions, according to the latest IPCC report. These emissions are not included in the Kyoto Protocol commitments. According to the IPCC, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is an important and appropriate mitigation option, because it is relatively cost-effective and can bring about large-scale reductions in emissions relatively rapidly.
The 2ºC target cannot be reached unless forests form a central part of a new global climate regime. REDD- Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, seeks to promote sustainable forest management, contribute to the protection of biodiversity and secure the rights, involvement and livelihood of local communities and indigenous peoples. Besides reduced greenhouse gas emissions, REDD therefore promotes sustainable development and poverty reduction.
It was against this background that Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg launched Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative during the climate change negotiations at Bali in December 2007, as an effort to promote early action on REDD. The Prime Minister announced that Norway is prepared to allocate up to NOK three billion a year to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation in developing countries. The initiative applies to all types of tropical forests.
CCS- Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage is the second largest potential for reducing global emissions of green house gases, as a way of limiting the global temperature to a maximum of 2ºC, by the IPCC. Numbers from the International Energy Agency show that 20% of necessary emissions reductions could be a result of CCS activities.
CCS is therefore an important mitigation measure and one of the most promising technologies to achieve reduced emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Since 1996, Norway has gained extensive experience in storing CO2 in geological structures. Because of its expertise in the field, Norway is strongly committed to further develop and contribute to a widespread dissemination of CCS technologies.
Position papers- Norwegian climate policy
Goals and National Implementation
CCS
REDD
Polar Regions
Shipping
Positions towards Copenhagen
Financing proposals
COP15- Copenhagen, Norwegian Positions