By Simon Leufstedt
Thursday, 8 October, 2009

About the Author

Simon Leufstedt is the editor of Green Blog. Simon has previously studied Global Environmental Justice and is currently studying Human Ecology and Political Science at Lund University in Sweden. Simon is also blogging over at the Swedish 350 website and working with the Swedish TckTckTck organisation. You can follow Simon on Twitter.

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Norway takes the lead on climate change, announces commitment to reduce emissions with 40% by 2020

Big and exciting news are coming today from the UNFCCC climate talks currently being held in Bangkok, Thailand. Norway has announced a commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with 40% by 2020 – based on 1990 levels.

This emission reduction promise from the Norwegian government is now the biggest commitment announced by any industrialized country. It beats the European Union (the now former climate leader) who has so far only promised a 20% reduction by 2020.

Adopt A Negotiator says in a statement that this is “a great day for ambition” in the climate talks and praises Norway for committing to a target that comes very “close to what the science demands”.

“Norway has shown that we can be ambitious in these negotiations. They have decided to break ice today, to avoid their glaciers melting and to avoid seeing more and more devestating climate consequences around the world.”

I think we can thank the people in Norway for this strong climate commitment. If they hadn’t re-elected the country’s centre-left ruling coalition we might have seen a conservative Norway downplaying the severity of climate change instead.

Now we are just waiting for Norway to also take the lead on banning gas cars after 2015.

via Eco-Digital

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Cool post, thank you for the info - I dont really ever post on these thingy’s but enjoyed the info. Awesome stuff!, I bookmarked your blog!

Good indeed. I don't want to miss this opportunity. Thanks for such information.

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The unprecedented commitments were overwhelming. This should be emulated by others to immediately prevent "destruction" of our mother-earth.

Very good, sir. Three cheers for Norway!

thanks for the info, appreciate you sharing it with us. have bookmarked the site and will be back

Hopefully more countries will follow in Norway's foot steps and aim for the same improvement targets, thanks for the information.I run a green blog whose aim is to get every household here in the USA to start going green with daily green hints, tips and ideas.

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It is really great to see almost everyone all around the world taking steps to Go Green. I can see India, Certain Parts of Europe and America are in the list already :) Now it's Norway - the land of midnight sun :) Great! Way to Go Green & Live Green :)

Good to see a country making big targets. I guess only time will tell if it is achievable. Well done Norway, I doubt others will be as keen though.

how are they planning on reducing by 40%? do they have a plan or just empty promise?

Glad Norway's taking the lead! Hope this encourages others (like the US) to do the same!

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Trackbacks

  1. [...] Green Blog, they are telling me that Norway announced that it intends to reduce emissions by 40% by 2020.  [...]

  2. [...] green innovation and policies. I mean, If neighboring country Norway can have plans and targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with 40% by 2020 so can Sweden. Simon Leufstedt Simon Leufstedt is the founder and editor of Green Blog – an [...]

  3. [...] in emissions until in 2205 or later, the report says. Climate scientists are recommending a 40% reduction in emissions by 2020, but Sweden won’t reach this level until around year 2062. And an [...]

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