The Norway We Were

Norway aims to be carbon neutral by 2030

Posted at 7:45 AM on 17 Jan 2008

Norway has announced it aims to be carbon neutral by 2030, 20 years earlier than its previous goal set last spring. Up to two-thirds of the emissions cuts will be made in Norway itself (though officials aren't sure precisely how yet). The other third will be offset by about $550 million a year in carbon credits, earned through combating deforestation in developing countries. Some green groups called the deal too vague, but officials characterized it as long-range planning. "The agreement gives Norway a farsighted climate policy that can stand independently of shifting governments," said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Norway also committed to a target of reducing its emissions by up to 17 million tons by 2020 and said it would more than quadruple its budget for renewables research next year.

sources:  Aftenposten, Reuters, AFX
see also, in Grist:  Norway disallows manufacturers from advertising cars as "green", Norway launches carbon-offset program for officials flying abroad