Foreword

Transparency is the backbone of the Paris Agreement, facilitating understanding and trust among Parties as well as the civil society. Parties submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UN, and report on the progress and the reports are reviewed. Information from Parties guide decisions on all aspects of climate change under the agreement. Reporting under Paris for the first time is a landmark. I am proud to present Norway’s first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) which is a direct response to the main goals of the Paris Agreement.

This report describes how Norway follows up our NDC to reduce emissions in 2030 by at least 55 per cent compared to 1990, in line with pathways needed to realize the Paris Agreement temperature goal. We are building on and gradually tightening an active climate policy over decades, and we are reinforcing these policies every year. We are now finally seeing reductions in domestic emissions. A further transformation of our energy, industry, transport and agricultural sectors as well as amongst private citizens is needed to reach our 2050 target of becoming a low emission society where only minor emissions remain.

We already see the dramatic effects of climate change around the world. These effects pose major challenges also in Norway. It changes both our weather and our nature and the way we can live off the land and sea – not least in the Arctic. We are experiencing droughts, floods, snow and landslides more frequently and with greater impact than we have seen in the past. Our response to climate change engages wide parts of society on all levels. This report also presents our efforts towards building a climate resilient society in line with the Paris agreement.

In the Paris spirit of cooperation, we pursue realization of our target together with other countries, in particular the EU. Since 2008, Norway has been part of the European Emissions Trading System with its steadily decreasing number of allowances and emissions. For other sectors we will meet our obligations in accordance with our Climate Status and Plan, that lays a course towards realizing our targets.

We have also launched an initiative to reduce emissions in developing countries through purchasing credits – NOGER.no. This is additional to our domestic efforts. The carbon credits acquired will contribute to achieving Norwegian climate neutrality from 2030. Units from this program can also be used in case cooperation with the EU does not fully realize our NDC of reducing our emissions by at least 55 per cent as compared to 1990. The BTR also summarises our outreach to developing countries in the form of technical and financial support. We see this, together with NOGER – as contributions to «making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development» emphasised.

Producing the BTR has engaged many institutions and individuals, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank them sincerely for their great efforts in developing and implementing the policies, as well as monitoring and reporting results.

Andreas Bjelland Eriksen Minister of Climate and Environment

Oslo, January 2025