NDC CHECKLIST Norway Analysis
NDC CHECKLIST Norway Analysis
2015 NDC 2020 NDC Analysis AMBITION MITIGATION
The reduction target of 50-55% at a glance seems to be in line with the demands of Norwegian civil society to align with Norway's fair share, which At least 40% reduction of was at least 53% reductions along with a substantial increase in climate greenhouse gas emissions by finance. However, the request was for such reductions to be made 2030 compared to 1990 levels, to Reduce emissions by at least 50% and domestically, while the government plan does not indicate any level of towards 55% compared to 1990 levels by Strenghtened be achieved through collective domestic reductions. On the contrary, the NCD has guaranteed the delivery with the EU; achieving 2030; LULUCF: no net emissions between possibility of using voluntary cooperation (carbon credit trading, as 1 mitigation targets climate neutrality by 2030, 2021-2030 established by the Paris Agreement in its Article 6) if the EU NDC is not including emissions reductions aligned with Norway's NDC. In addition, in the 2015 NDC, Norway included abroad to cover Norway's annual the goal of climate neutrality from 2030, committing to emissions emissions after 2030. reductions abroad to cover its annual emissions after 2030. While it is still a national goal, it is no longer mentioned in the new NDC, because it is not considered a commitment to Paris Agreement.
The 2030 target was increased from 40% to at least 50% and towards 55% compared to 1990 levels. Norway has committed to achieving net zero emissions from its land sector in 2030, pursuant to EU land sector Economy-wide target to reach 40% Economy-wide target to reduce emissions by at An economy-wide regulations. However, Norway is allowed to use up to 1.6 MtCO2e in net reduction of emissions by 2030, least 50% and towards 55% compared to 1990 2 absolute 2030 target removals from the land sector towards meeting its original NDC. Assuming compared to 1990 levels. levels by 2030. this amount is unchanged as part of its NDC update, Norway’s emission reduction targets equate to 47-52% below 1990 levels by 2030 once these net removals are excluded (Climate Action Tracker, 2020). No carbon budget mentioned. Norway claims to fairly contribute to meeting the objective to limit global warming to below 2°C, which requires that global No carbon budget mentioned. Norway claims to No carbon budget is presented and despite the claim to be aligned with emissions must be reduced by 40 be committed to reduce overall greenhouse gas 1.5°C, the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) rates the impact of domestic action A 2021-2030 carbon to 70% by 2050 compared to 2010 emissions, in view of holding the increase in the as “highly insufficient”. By 2019, Norwegian domestic greenhouse gas 3 budget aligned to levels. It is argued that the global average temperature to well below 2˚C emissions were 2.3% lower than in 1990 (figures from Statistics Norway, 1.5°C country’s commitment to reduce above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts June 2020). A large part of the country's reduction requirements will greenhouse gas emissions of at to limit the temperature increase to 1.5˚C above continue to depend on offsetting through the purchase of emissions quotas least 40% by 2030 compared to pre-industrial levels. from international and regional emisions trading schemes. 1990 is well in line with the emissions pathways towards 2050 that correspond to keeping global warming below 2°C.
Carbon-neutral in 2050; as part of an ambitious global climate agreement where other developed nations also undertake ambitious commitments, Norway will adopt a The connection between the NDC and a long term strategy is vague in the According to the NDC, the climate target of at binding goal of carbon neutrality document. It mentions Norway’s long term 2050 goal of becoming a “low least 40 per cent reduction in 2030 is NDC targets aligned no later than in 2030. Norway will carbon society” that was included in national legislation in 2017, described established by law in the Norwegian Climate to a 2050 or earlier commit to achieving emission as a 80-95% reduction below 1990 levels. There is no reference to a Change Act. The purpose of the act is to 4 reductions abroad equivalent to quantitative target. However, the approved Long Term Strategy, soon to be Net-Zero Long-term promote the implementation of Norway's climate Norwegian emissions in 2030. submitted to the UNFCCC commits to an enhanced target of 90-95% Strategy target as part of Norway's process of Norway’s long term goal is to reduction compared to 1990-levels. The amount of domestic reductions transforming to a low-emission society by 2050. become a low emission society by remains unclear. 2050. Towards 2030, Norwegian domestic emissions will be reduced as part of the effort to meet the 2050 commitment. ADAPTATION Clear adaptation - - No adaptation goals are mentioned. 5 objectives FINANCE
The NDC states that Norway is in constant dialogue and development in partnership with the EU and Iceland to define joint actions and international Finance support mechanisms. Norway has pledged up to US $ 343 million a year 6 - - under the Norwegian International Forest and Climate Initiative (NICFI) to Commitments reduce deforestation in other countries; and supported investment in carbon capture and storage projects by reserving US $ 9.6 million in 2018 to finance engineering studies and front-end design.
Clear conditional - - 7 targets Moving from conditional to - - No quantitative finance goals mentioned. 8 unconditional targets FOSTERING SYSTEMIC CHANGE
Economy-wide coverage, including the sectors of energy, Same sectors covered: energy, industrial Increased sectoral industrial processes and product processes and product use, LULUCF and The same sectors are covered in both NDCs. 9 use, agriculture, land-use, land- coverage waste. use change and forestry (LULUCF) and waste. The 2020 NDC presents no specific targets or plans for sectors listed as priorities for climate action and reduced emissions in the 2015 NDC - transport, industry, renewable energy and shipping. It mentions that LULUCF target: for the inclusion of emissions information will be provided in Norway's National Inventory Report (NIR) and removals from the LULUCF sector, Norway according to IPCC guidelines, including the sectors of energy, industrial Quantitative follows the EU’s regulation, requiring no net - processes and product use, agriculture, land-use, land-use change and 10 emissions from the sector between 2021- Sectoral targets forestry, and waste. Through the climate cooperation with the European . 2030 Union and Iceland, Norway will have specific legislation for the period 2021- 2030 covering all emissions and sectors covered by: i) The EU Emission Trading System (ETS); ii) The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR); iii) The Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation.
Does not elaborate on the role of key structural sectors. A brief reference to food and Priority areas for enhanced agriculture, considering a shortage of national climate policy efforts are: agricultural land suitable for arable crops, is The updated submission does not elaborate on how key structural sectors reduced emissions in the transport Key structural made. Norway's role in global food security in are included in the country’s climate plan and will collaborate to the NDC sector, low emissions technology 11 the context of climate change is to adapt to implementation. Some sector specific policies and measures can be found sectors included in industry, CO2 capture and climate change, to manage and use these in Norway’s Seventh National Communication. storage, renewable energy and resources in a sustainable manner, to ensure environmentally friendly shipping. food supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The 2020 NDC addresses gender equality, broad civil society participation and the rights of The 2020 NDC addresses gender equality, broad civil society participation Just transition indigenous peoples, with reference made to and the rights of indigenous peoples, with reference made to Norway’s - 12 policies Norway’s system of social protection and system of social protection and institutionalized tripartite dialogue between institutionalized tripartite dialogue between the the government, unions and labor organizations. government, unions and labor organizations. The updated NDC refers to economic measures, such as CO2- taxes and emission trading, described as central to Norwegian climate policy. Support for the development and Cross-sectoral adoption of low emissions technologies, Special mention is given to taxation, emissions trading systems, transport 13 - including carbon capture and storage electrification and renewable energies, referring to policies and measures approaches technologies and electric vehicles as well as described in Norway's fourth Biennial Report. policies for renewable energy are also important in Norwegian climate policy. More information on policies and measures in place are described in Norway's fourth Biennial Report.
INCLUSIVENESS AND PARTICIPATION
The NDC mentions that the emissions reduction target for 2030 was established through Inclusive process to interministerial processes; and that the invite inputs from Environmental Information Act, implementing There has been no specific formal consultation process on the NDC 14 institutions and - the Aarhus Convention, establishes public Enhancement, although the NDC reaffirms the full engagement of civil citizens in the NDC participation in decision making processes society in climate issues. relevant for the environment. Consequently, the design Climate Change Act was on a public hearing including all stakeholders.
Disclosure of Information has not been disclosed specifically for the NDC process but key - - 15 information data are publically available in other sources such as Statistics Norway. Reporting back on - - - 16 process The NDC mentions that the emission reduction target for 2030 was established through interministerial processes. In addition, Norway has a process for involving Parliament in developing the target and implementing policies. According to the Climate Change Act, the Government shall each year submit to Parliament updated information on status and progress in achieving the climate targets under Participatory the law. There is also a specific legal process The NDCs do not provide sufficient information about inclusiveness and for consultation with the Sami Indigenous participation in the process of NDC design and implementation. They do not - 17 Climate governance People. elaborate on the climate governance structures in place. More details can structures be found in Norway's 7th National Communication. The Ministry of Climate and Environment has the overarching cross-sectoral responsibility for coordination and implementation; while the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the tax schemes and the other ministries are responsible for policies in their respective sectors. Further details on institutional arrangements are found in Norway's 7th National Communication.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Although no reference is made to SDGs in the NDCs, Norway's 7th National Communication establishes that the follow-up of the sustainable development goals shall be integrated in the ordinary government decision- making processes. Each of the 17 SDGs has been assigned to one responsible Ministry. All ministries shall report on the follow-up of their responsibilities in the budget documents. The Ministry of Finance sums up Linkages with the main points in the yearly National Budget. The Foreign Ministry - Not mentioned. 18 SDGs coordinates the processes at the international level.
Moreover, in 2020, a new Sustainability Minister has been appointed with the responsibility of coordinating national work on the SDGs. The government will also develop a national action plan with a systematic approach for the implementation of the SDGs, to be discussed by Parliament in 2021. No direct reference is made to nature-based solutions in both NDCs although Norway is currently the biggest funder of REDD+ in developing countries. The 7th National Communication states that funding of forest Measurable Nature- related mitigation has increased substantially since the 6th National 19 - Communication in 2014. Measures such as sustainable forest based Solutions management, forest fertilisation, restoration of peatlands and other wetlands, improved seedling density, enhanced breeding of forest seedlings, and forest fertilization are listed and it is argued that with time, this will lead to an increased carbon uptake in forests. TRACKING PROGRESS
The 2020 NDC mentions that the Ministry of A transparent Climate and Environment has comprehensive national system to intersectoral responsibility for coordination and The NDCs do not provide details about a transparent national system to - 20 track implementation and other ministries are track implementation. implementation responsible for policies in their respective sectors.
For more information Fernanda de Carvalho
Global Policy Manager WWF International, Climate & Energy Practice