Norway should cut greenhouse gas emissions as never before – NRK

All new private cars shall be zero-emission vehicles in nine years. Norway will cut emissions by 40 percent in sectors such as agriculture and transport. And 40 percent of freight traffic to be transferred from road to rail. These are some of the new climate initiatives The EU has proposed for Norway, when EU Wednesday will present its climate plan.

EU climate for Norway

• Norway to cut emissions in non-quota regulated sector with 40 percent by 2030 , compared with 2005.

• All new private cars shall be zero-emission vehicles in nine years.

• 40 percent of freight traffic going from road to rail.

• 20 percent less motoring nationwide compared with 2010

• Reduction of emissions from agriculture 20 percent

• Miljødifferansierte toll to give incentives for environmentally friendly vehicles

– Maren Esmark, Secretary General of Friends of the Earth.

Photo: Naturvernforbundet

Climate Minister Vidar Helgesen (H) is very happy, and it is also the Earth.

– this is awesome, this effort that we will participate. It is clear 40 percent is realistic, and it is also essential, said Secretary General of Friends of the Earth, Maren Esmark.

– As climate change minister has done its job?

– his job starts now! We have great expectations. We decide to take him at his word that this will have an impact

Rich among EU countries

Norway to cut emissions by 40 percent in non-quota subject sectors, such as transport and agriculture.

Previously Norway only participated in a quota collaboration in which Norway can compensate for pollution by buying carbon credits that reduce emissions in other countries. The new agreement allows for cuts in sectors outside this cooperation.

The European target is 30 percent, ten percent lower than the Norway should cut. According to climate change minister is because wealthy countries will be responsible for higher climate commitments than others.

– We will be treated equally with EU countries, and have a goal that reflects how wealthy we are. It’s GDP per capita puts it, the goal of reason, says Vidar Helgesen told NRK.

Norway shall forward to report annually on emissions budget of the EU.

– If we do not when the goal we get extra cut commitments on top of the ones we already have, says Helgesen.

Climate Minister Vidar Helgesen (H)

Photo: Pedersen, Terje / NTB scanpix

– Get a grip

According to the Earth, there are three measures minister can do right now, if he wants to prove that he is serious.

– he must dare to take the next grips already now. Why does he, for example, the cultivation of marsh, which is a horror story on carbon emissions. This corresponds alone as much emissions as 150,000 cars. Highway E-18 should be scrapped, and airports such as Gardermoen and Flesland should not be extended, says Esmark.

She is also afraid that Norway will exploit loopholes EU quota system opens.

– We are afraid that Norway will use creative accounting, says Estmark. She aims among other things to the quota on reforestation, which will not have an effect over time.

– A simple forest fire, or a change of ownership where the forest cut down is enough to lose the environmental benefit. I was disappointed with the quality of some of the quotas the EU.