Binding climate policy

Norway will work to promote a more comprehensive and ambitious international climate change agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol. Norway will continue to fulfil its obligations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions both nationally and internationally.

• Norway will work to limit the average rise in global temperature to no more than 2°C above the pre-industrial level.
• Norway aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 30% of its own 1990 emissions by 2020. According to what is considered to be a realistic assessment, about two-thirds of the cuts in emissions can be made in Norway.
• Norway will set itself more ambitious climate targets, corresponding to a 40% cut in emissions from the 1990 level by 2020, if this can contribute to agreement on an ambitious climate regime that includes specific emissions commitments on the part of the major emitters.
• Norway has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality, undertaking to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 100% of its own emissions by 2050 at the latest.
• If an ambitious global climate agreement is achieved, in which other developed countries also take on extensive obligations, Norway will undertake to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 at the latest.

Greenhouse gas emissions are causing a rise in global mean surface temperature. This will result in changes in precipitation patterns and wind systems, a shift in climate zones and a rise in sea level. These changes may have major impacts on natural ecosystems and human society.

Read more about the Government’s environmental policy on the Ministry of the Environment’s website.