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“In Oslo, the public lighting runs on renewable energy. To save energy, smart lights dim when no one is around. The Norwegian capital, like the rest of the country, prides itself on its exceptional ecological change. Public transport systems also run on fully renewable energy. Two-thirds of the new cars sold in the city are electric. There is even a highway for bees.
CNN journalist Ivana Kottasová writes this in the introduction, before adding:
“There is only one problem. Much of the environmental innovation that Norway is so proud of is financed with oil money.
Norway is one of the countries that stands out
In the case, Norway is equated with Canada and the United Kingdom, because “we proclaim sustainability, but at the same time we serve the cause of climate change.”
They believe that these three nations stand out. There are many countries that produce fossil fuels despite their commitment to counteracting climate change.
But Norway, Canada and the UK stand out because they do so while also positioning themselves as climate champions, writes CNN.
The action group Extinction Rebellion shows “the elephant in the room” on the streets of Oslo.
Photo: Ole Berg-rest / NTB
According to international agreements, a quarter of countries are only responsible for greenhouse gas emissions in their own territory.
This indicates that Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom do not need to worry about emissions caused by burning oil, gas and coal in other cities around the world.
– Not 100 percent sensitive
Canada, the UK and Norway have set ambitious targets for themselves. The UK and Canada have committed to reducing territorial emissions to net zero by 2050. Norway wants to be carbon neutral by 2030.
This “net zero” indicates that if they cannot eliminate all emissions completely, they can make up the difference by removing carbon from the atmosphere, for example by planting more trees.
Professor Niklas Höne, one of the founders of the NewClimate Institute, told CNN that decisions to focus on territorial emissions date back to climate negotiations.
– There was a long discussion on how to do it this way. The agreement was reached and does not cover the issue of exports, nor the issue of consumption of goods produced elsewhere. I’m sad, it doesn’t make one hundred percent sense, he said.
Norway’s annual national emissions reached around 53 million tonnes in 2017. Oil and gas emissions that Norway sold abroad reached about 470 million tonnes in 2017, according to the UN Emissions Report.
Rotevatn with a view
CNN has also spoken with Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment Sveinung Rotevatn (V). He has told the channel that Norway’s obligations are based on territorial climate targets.
“Emissions related to the consumption of oil and gas products exported in other countries are covered by the offices and emissions targets of importers,” he told CNN.
Minister of Climate and Environment, Sveinung Rotevatn.
Photo: Tore Linvollen / NRK
When asked about Norway’s oil and gas export plans, he said:
– Norway strongly supports the transition from the use and production of fossil energy to renewable energy.
– New decisions are needed
Canada, Norway and the United Kingdom plan to continue producing fossil fuels, investing in new projects and oil exploration.
If Norway continues drilling as planned, total emissions will amount to approximately 15 gigatons of CO₂, according to CICERO, a Norwegian climate research institute. It would have “eaten up” 6.5 percent of the looming carbon budget for the entire world, writes CNN.
Professor Niklas Höne has told CNN that climate plans cannot be limited to emission reduction targets, but that deadlines must also be set to phase out fossil fuels.
– So far, only a few small producers have stopped allowing new sites for fossil fuels. Denmark has done so, and such decisions must also be made in Norway, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, he told CNN.
