Norway has officially announced its national climate target or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which is the official climate action roadmap the country will take between now and 2035.
Norway is one of the top fossil fuel expansion countries in the world and environmental activist group, 350.org, is outraged by the lack of emission reduction ambition and clear phase-out of oil and gas extraction projects.
“Norway’s national climate target falls woefully short of what’s needed to keep the 1.5°C global temperature rise targets alive. Norway has shown total reluctance to commit to a clear phase out of oil and gas projects and is unequivocally burying its head in the sand – ignoring science and perpetuating the climate crisis. As a wealthy nation, choosing to opt for insufficient climate ambition is an injustice to the most vulnerable people and the planet,” said Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns, 350.org
350.org’s analysis of Norway’s NDC
- The headline target of a 70-75% emissions reduction by 2035 falls short of Norway’s fair share (at least 80% by 2035) and hinges on the use of international flexibility mechanisms, rather than a fully domestic approach.
- Norway has once again opted not to set a climate neutrality target for 2050, instead aiming for a 90-95% emissions reduction by mid-century.
- Despite advice from the climate committee, Norway is resisting calls for a clear plan to phase out oil and gas production, signaling an intention to extend fossil fuel extraction contrary to scientific recommendations for a hard end date in line with 1.5°C warming. In the medium term this is short sighted as global oil demand is peaking, and Norway needs a more solid approach for their likely to be stranded oil assets.
- While Norway indicates that renewable energy will expand – albeit with a controversial emphasis on bioenergy – it fails to commit to a specific renewable energy target for 2035. Norway fails to set sectoral energy targets unlike most other countries which have already submitted their NDC ahead of COP30 in Brazil.