OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Norway 2011
OECD Publishing, May 2011, Pages: 204
This report presents the third OECD review of Norway’s environmental policy performance. Previous reviews were published in 2001 and 1993. Topics covered in this report include greening growth, implementation of environmental policies, international cooperation, climate change, waste management and the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), and ;nature and biodiversity.
Since the last Environmental Performance Review in 2001, Norway has promoted new policy approaches that continue to challenge and inspire. Norway’s sustainable development policy represents a unique approach for integrating economic and environmental policies. Particular attention is paid to ensuring that the depletion of oil and gas reserves contributes to increasing other forms of capital, especially human and natural capital. Policy implementation is overseen by the Ministry of Finance, and is supported by a strong analytical framework, and society’s broad participation in policy making.
By virtue of its membership in the European Economic Area Agreement, Norway has adopted most EU environmental policies, and, with a few exceptions, is now fully compliant with their provisions. In some areas, Norwegian requirements are more stringent. As a result of effective policy implementation, the quality of Norway’s air and water is relatively high, and the number of species threatened by extinction is relatively low.
Norway also plays a leading and innovative role in international environmental co-operation, especially in the areas of climate change, marine environment protection and chemicals. These efforts have been supported by substantial financial commitments: in recent years about one-quarter of Norway’s bilateral ODA was allocated to the environment, which is high by OECD standards. This contribution is supported by Norway’s official development assistance (ODA) which, at 1.06% of its gross national income, is the second largest in OECD.
Norway’s continued environmental progress has been achieved against a backdrop of relatively high economic growth. Norway’s pattern of economic development, including oil and gas exploitation, which accounts for more than 20% of GDP, has intensified some environmental pressures. For example, greenhouse gas emissions, municipal waste generation and pesticide use have all increased. This increases the need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental policies.
This Review is intended to support Norway in this regard. It presents several recommendations, including:
- Strengthen incentives for environmental protection in the main economic sectors by further removing environmentally harmful subsidies and exemptions to environmentally-related taxes.
- Agree on clear, realistic and cost-effective domestic targets for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 2050, and strengthen the policies to meet these targets.
- Prevent and reduce waste generation more efficiently and effectively.
- Strengthen the management of protected areas, and promote environmentally sustainable aquaculture.
- Further reduce the use of hazardous chemicals.
This Review is the result of a rich and co-operative dialogue between Norway and other members and observers of the OECD Working Party on Environmental Performance. It is meant to provide support for Norway to further strengthen its environmental performance. Norway’s experiences should also provide insights for policy makers in other countries about effective and efficient approaches for achieving ambitious environmental policy objectives.
Executive Summary
Part I: Sustainable Development
Chapter 1. Developments since the 2001 Review
1. Key socio-economic developments
2. Key environmental pressures
3. Framework for environmental and sustainable development
Notes
Selected sources
Chapter 2. Towards Sustainable Development
Assessment and recommendations.
1. The National Sustainable Development Strategy
2. Economic recovery and environmental policy
3. Linking the National Sustainable Development Strategy and key sectors
4. Innovation
Notes
Selected sources
Chapter 3. Implementation of Environmental Policies
Assessment and recommendations
1. Environmental policy instruments
2. Environmental democracy
3. Review of progress in air and water management
Notes
Selected sources
Chapter 4. International Co-operation
Assessment and recommendations
1. Marine environment
2. Bilateral and regional co-operation
3. Official development assistance
Notes
Selected sources
Chapter 5. Climate Change
Assessment and recommendations
1. Introduction
2. Emission performance and Kyoto compliance
3. Policies and measures
4. Post-Kyoto climate policy: 2020 and 2050
5. Adaptation.
6. Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative.
Notes
Selected sources
Chapter 6. Nature and Biodiversity
Assessment and recommendations
1. Setting the scene
2. Key issues in nature and biodiversity policy
3. Nature and biodiversity in sectoral policies.
4. Financing nature and biodiversity management
Notes
Selected sources
Chapter 7. Waste Management
Assessment and recommendations
1. Policy and institutional setting
2. Trends in waste generation
3. Performance in managing non-hazardous waste
4. Improving management of hazardous waste and substances
5. Contaminated sites
Notes
Selected sources
References
Reference I.A. Selected Environmental Data
Reference I.B. Selected Economic Data
Reference I.C. Selected Social Data
Reference II. Actions taken on the 2001 OECD recommendations
Reference III. Abbreviations
Reference IV. Selected Environmental Websites
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