Norway

Norway rises three places to 9th in this year’s CCPI and receives an overall high rating. The country is a frontrunner in Renewable Energy, receiving a very high rating in that category, but receives a medium in GHG Emissions, low in Climate Policy, and very low in Energy Use.

Progressive Legislation with Annual Updates

Since 2017, Norway’s Climate Change Act has been national legislation, complemented by the 2021 Climate Action Plan that promotes implementing Norway’s climate goals as part of its transformation to a low-emission society by 2050. Each year, the government presents an overview of the implementation status of the Climate Change Act.

On October 7th 2024, the government presented its annual update on progress toward meeting the Act’s objectives. While Norway targets a 55% GHG emissions reduction by 2030, the latest projections show that it is currently on track for only 26.3%, or about half of the aim. Considering the difficulties in meeting the 2030 goals through domestic emissions reductions, the government proposed substantial increased use of flexible mechanisms. The CCPI country experts criticise the Act for not addressing emissions from beyond its territory, noting Norway’s significant carbon footprint due to oil and gas exports and its lack of plans to phase out production, and its importing of goods and services. They also criticise the lack of a long-term climate and energy plan for 2050 in Norway’s climate policy.

Norway is nearly self-sufficient in renewable energy though hydropower is about 88% of the country’s total electricity production, causing substantial ecological effects on Norwegian bodies of water. However, the experts note several human rights violations concerning the indigenous Sami people, as windmill farms have been built on their land. Norway also has a strong focus on electrification, including in the transport sector. Electric automobile sales have surpassed 90% and the share of electric versions of heavy vehicles and construction machinery is growing rapidly.

Despite the Renewables, Norway Is a Major Oil and Gas Exporter and Natural Destruction Continues

Norway is, however, one of the world’s largest oil and gas exporters. Whereas the last coal mine in Norway, Svalbard, shut down in 2024, Norway still hands out new licenses for oil and gas exploration. Early in 2024, Young Friends of the Earth Norway and Greenpeace Norway won a lawsuit against the state, resulting in the stoppage of all activity and development in three oil and gas fields in the North Sea. The government appealed the judgement and the lawsuit is still in process.

The CCPI experts emphasise the problematic destruction of nature in Norway, with one square meter of nature disappearing every minute in 2024 due to land use changes, and only 20–30% of the country’s forests being natural. While the government released a Nature Action Plan in September 2024, experts criticise the lack of coherence and ambition in protecting nature.

Norway is a leader in international climate policy negotiations, but the experts criticise the country’s focus on lobbying for carbon capture and storage rather than a complete fossil fuel phase-out. The push for deep-sea mining exploration also undermines Norway’s international legitimacy.

The experts recommend that Norway’s climate policy address emissions from imports and exports, not just those within its territory, as these are substantial contributors. Norway should also stop issuing new oil and gas exploration licences and develop a plan to phase out existing operations.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Anette Bruer Stepanoski & Helga Lerkelund (The Norwegian society for Nature Conservation/Naturvernforbundet)
• Elise Åsnes (Spire)
• Johan Hermstad Reinertsen (Future in our hands)