Report from the expert committee on green competitiveness

The government’s expert committee on green competitiveness today delivered its report, with proposals and recommendations to the Prime Minister, Erna Solberg and Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen.

The committee consisted of Connie Hedegaard and Idar Kreutzer. Hedegaard has previously been European Commissioner for Climate Action and Minister of Climate and Energy in Denmark. Idar Kreutzer is managing director of Finance Norway.

– I thank the committee for a thorough and substantial report. Two persons with solid expertise in policy development and change processes in business have compiled it. Thanks also to the business community for their many, valuable and dedicated inputs to the committee. The report will be an important starting point when the government prepares a strategy for green competitiveness, says Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.

– In the years ahead, both the Norwegian and the international economy must shift towards a low-carbon society. If we are to succeed, Norwegian businesses must contribute. Our ambition is to create new, profitable jobs in businesses that assist Norway and other countries in this green restructuring, says the Prime Minister.

In the report, the committee proposes a national strategy for how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while Norway at the same time maintains value creation and high rates of employment. The committee has as a premise that Norway should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 and become a low-carbon society by 2050.

– Stronger means are now being introduced in climate policy worldwide. Restructuring towards a low-emission society requires a broad commitment and the ability to seize new opportunities, says Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen.

The Minister gives praise to the committee for having interacted so well with large parts of the business sector.

In line with the mandate the committee received from the government, it has requested opinions and input from key industries, enterprises, organisations and academia from various parts of the country.

Eleven sectors, including transport, industry, petroleum and agriculture, have submitted their own roadmaps towards green competitiveness to the committee.

The committee report and the numerous roadmaps give us analysis and proposals that will contribute to the work of the government on, amongst other things, the white paper regarding long-term perspectives on the Norwegian economy, the white paper on industry, and the one on the circular economy.  They also contribute to the following-up of cooperation with the EU on climate targets for 2030. Future efforts of the government will build on the constructive interaction the committee has had with business and industry, research institutions and organisations. The report will be submitted to public consultation.