Norway’s Climate Strategy for 2030: a transformational approach within a European cooperation framework - Meld. St. 41 (2016–2017) Report to the Storting (white paper).

The present Strategy describes the Norwegian Government's strategy to achieve the 2030 reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. In this context, it describes how the Norwegian Government is working towards joint fulfilment of its Paris commitment together with the European Union (EU). The Strategy is intended to open the way for substantial domestic emission reductions
The Strategy contains the following Chapters: 1. Introduction; 2. A changing world; 3. Norway's climate strategy for 2030 and the transition to a low-emission society; 4. EU climate policy and its implications for Norway; 5. Reducing non-ETS emissions in Norway; 6. Economic and administrative consequences.
In general, the Government intends to achieve its 2030 target mainly through domestic emission reductions, and with the use of EU flexibility mechanisms as necessary. Hence, the Government's strategy for 2030 is intended to facilitate substantial domestic emission reductions. A central role is given to the agreement with the EU on joint fulfilment of the 2030 reduction goals, which would include reducing non-ETS emissions covered by the proposed Effort Sharing Regulation. Norway would thus be a full participant in collective European efforts to reduce emissions. Further, the Government considers it appropriate to consider a broad range of mitigation measures because estimates of the emission reduction potential and costs of measures are highly uncertain. The Strategy takes into account the possibility that some of the emission reduction potential may not be realised. The strategy stresses that it does not present a final list of mitigation measures or policy instruments to achieve emission reductions by 2030. It will be important to be able to adjust the use of policy instruments throughout the period, for example to take into account technological developments. The strategy therefore charts a course for the use of policy instruments in the years ahead and indicates mitigation opportunities within each sector.
The Strategy highlights that decisions made by the Norwegian parliament are ambitious and the goals that have been formulated will play a significant part in bringing about emission reductions in the years ahead. This applies in particular to the targets for zero-emission vehicles as a share of the vehicle park set out in the Norwegian National Transport Plan 2018– 2029; the decision to increase the biofuel quota obligation (the required proportion of biofuels in annual sales of road traffic fuels) to 20 % in 2020; and a decision by the parliament to request the Government to introduce a standard carbon tax rate for non-ETS emissions. Negotiations are also in progress on a CO2 fund for commercial transport.
Chapter 5 further describes specific national actions that Norway can take to satisfy the need for emission reductions. General policy instruments that are mentioned include: using the carbon tax and other taxes on greenhouse gas emissions as the main instrument for reducing non-ETS emissions; following up the decision by the Norwegian parliament to request the Government to introduce a standard carbon tax rate for non-ETS emissions; assessing the taxation level for non-ETS emissions regularly as a way of ensuring that the 2030 target is achieved cost-effectively; considering other instruments that provide equally strong incentives to reduce emissions, including direct regulation under the Pollution Control Act and voluntary agreements; taking steps to ensure that the policy instruments used continue to be effective and well-coordinated; continuing to focus on research and development and the deployment and dissemination of low-emission technology; ensuring that the public sector as a customer supports the adoption and development of new environmentally friendly technologies and solutions; supporting the development of new environmentally friendly technologies and solutions; etc.
As regards agriculture, in addition to the measures described in the white paper on agricultural policy of 2016 (Meld. St. 11 (2016–2017)), the Government will appoint a working group to review existing support schemes for climate-related measures at individual farm level before the negotiations on the 2018 Agricultural Agreement, with a view to strengthening and targeting efforts to reduce emissions. The Government will also negotiate with the agricultural sector on a voluntary agreement, including a plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which quantifies the level of ambition for emission reductions in the agricultural sector up to 2030. The Strategy highlights that, if priority is to be given to the risk of carbon leakage and the importance of maximising global effects, beef consumption must be reduced. Reducing beef consumption may in turn result in lower beef production in Norway, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is therefore important to make use of instruments such as consumer information to encourage a reduction in consumption. As regards the impact of a climate-friendly diet, the Government has published the Norwegian National Action Plan for a Healthier Diet for the period 2017–2021, which highlights the links between sustainability and health in food policy. Overall, development of the knowledge base and of instruments and measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture will be continued.
Chapter 5 further describes measures to reduce non-ETS emissions in other sectors, including transport, manufacturing industries, petroleum, energy supplies, buildings, LULUCF, and other sources.