Norway's climate

In recent years, the temperature in Norway has been higher than average. In 2009 the mean temperature was 1°C above the average. The highest temperatures were recorded in 1934, 1990 and 2006, 1.8 °C above average.

In the Arctic areas of Norway the deviations are larger. At Svalbard Airport on Spitsbergen the mean temperature was 2.3°C above average in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 the mean temperature was 3.6°C above normal. The highest mean temperature ever registered on Svalbard was in 2006, when the mean temperature was 5°C above average. In 2009 the mean temperature was 2.9°C above the average.

Higher temperatures lead to less snow and ice. The extent of the Arctic sea ice during the summer has been reduced by around 35 per cent since 1979.

Many changes, caused by climate change, have already been observed in the Norwegian natural environment, and major changes are expected to occur in types of habitat and species composition. Traditional recreational opportunities, such as skiing, may disappear in some areas.

The effects of climate change on Norway’s natural environment cannot be considered in isolation from other factors. Climate change comes in addition to the destruction of habitat, the spreading of alien species, pollution and overuse of natural resources. In some instances, climate change can reinforce the negative consequences of other pressures.

Norwegian society has undergone considerable change in the last hundred years. Income from the oil and gas industry has resulted in a considerable increase in living standard in the last twenty to thirty years, and is the main reason for Norway’s favorable economic position. Norway has become one of the world’s leading welfare states, and income and consumption levels have changed radically. At the same time, oil and gas production has been the main cause of the increase in Norway’s carbon dioxide emissions since 1990.

CO2 emissions from transport, industry and petroleum activities are the main culprits in Norway. Emissions from the oil and gas industry increased considerably from 1990 to 2007, were stable in 2008 and then decreased by 7.6 per cent in 2009. Greenhouse gas emissions from the industry have been reduced by by about 35 per cent since 1990.

Other sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Norway are agriculture, fisheries, heating of households and landfills.

For the second year running, Norway’s total greenhouse gas emissions have decreased. In 2009, 50.8 million tonnes CO2-equivalents were emitted, which is the lowest level since 1995. A great deal of the reduction is due to lower emissions from the manufacturing industries and oil and gas activities, but emissions from road traffic and agriculture also decreased. The development of the emissions are assumed to be influenced by the financial crisis.

There is a close relation between economic development, energy use and lifestyle and greenhouse gas emissions. The costs of reducing greenhouse gases can vary considerably from sector to sector. To a large extent the instruments are therefore a compromise between environmental and other interests.

Ninety per cent of emissions comprised by instruments

The CO2 tax introduced in 1991 is Norway’s main instrument in environmental policy. After the introduction of a national emissions quota system and an agreement with the processing industry came into force in 2005, there are targeted instruments for approximately ninety per cent of Norwegian emissions.

Agriculture and fisheries not covered by instruments

Only agricultural emissions, which constitute approximately eight per cent of the national emissions, and fisheries, which amount to about two per cent of emissions, are not covered by any instruments.