Substantial flaws recognize in Norway’s new climate target-Group
Norway on Thursday 10 April 2025 unveiled its Climate White Paper alongside a draft of new, yet deeply insufficient, climate targets. The White Paper outlines key proposals for Norway’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), but an in-depth analysis exposes substantial flaws within the country’s climate and energy strategy.
Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns, said: “As one of the wealthiest nations, Norway should be leading the way in phasing out fossil fuels. Yet, as the global oil market stagnates, it clings to a dying economic model, refusing to diversify and ignoring its moral duty to act. This is not just bad economics; it is a betrayal of future generations. Norway presents itself as a climate leader but this new climate white paper is essentially a masked commitment to fossil fuels. Norway needs to go beyond rhetoric and deliver a truly transformative climate plan—one that phases out fossil fuels, embraces a just energy transition, and meets the urgency of the climate crisis.”
Key Elements And Shortfalls of Norway’s New Climate Target
The headline target of a 70-75% emissions reduction by 2035 falls short of Norway’s fair share (at least 80% by 2035) and hinges on the use of international flexibility mechanisms, rather than a fully domestic approach (pages 9, 25, 26, 135)
Norway has once again opted not to set a climate neutrality target for 2050, instead aiming for a 90-95% emissions reduction by mid-century (Pages 25, 135)
Despite advice from the climate committee, Norway is resisting calls for a clear plan to phase out oil and gas production, signaling an intention to extend fossil fuel extraction contrary to scientific recommendations for a hard end date in line with 1.5°C warming (page 115)
While Norway indicates that renewable energy will expand—albeit with a controversial emphasis on bioenergy—it fails to commit to a specific renewable energy target for 2035.
