Norway plans zero emissions by 2050

Norway will aim to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, the Prime Minister of Norway has said today.

In the the most ambitious national plan against global warming, Jens Stoltenberg said that Norway wanted other rich nations to set similar “carbon neutral” aims.

“Norway would be the first country in the world to take on such a concrete commitment,” Mr Stoltenberg said to his Labour Party. The announcement was met by a standing ovation.
Under the 2050 plan, domestic emissions would be offset by cuts abroad or by buying emissions quotas on international markets. For example, Norway could help China or India to shift to using solar or wind power from burning coal or oil.

Stoltenberg said his three-party centre-left cabinet, which has a majority in parliament, are already backing his proposals.

He did not say how emissions cuts would be spread between cuts at home or measures abroad.

Environmental pressure group Greenpeace said that Norway should do more at home rather than use its vast oil wealth to buy its way out of the problem.

The Irish Times