Norway has been in bad weather during the climate summit in Glasgow which is taking place these days.
Earlier this week, Norway was named “Fossil of the day”. The coveted prize is awarded daily during the summit and goes to the countries that “do the most to contribute the least”.
– It is entirely appropriate that Norway is named “Today’s fossil” and that our dual role as climate advocate and oil and gas producer gets attention at the climate summit in Glasgow, said Secretary General Karoline Andour of the WWF World Wide Fund for Nature.
– It’s not nice
This is also the opinion of former Storting politician and now active in the Grandparents’ climate action Bente Bakke.
Bakke was previously active in the Conservative Party, but in 2011 announced a transition to MDG.
She takes a hard line against the government in an interview with TV 2, and says she is ashamed of being Norwegian.
– It is no wonder, when we have a government that does not take into account our grandchildren, says Bakke.
She reacts in particular to the fact that Norway has a climate minister who says that we should not have a temperature rise higher than 1.5 degrees – but who at the same time will continue to look for oil and gas.
– It is out of the question, says Bakke.
– Not done in a jiffy
Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (Labor Party) tells TV 2 that it has not been done in a jiffy to phase out the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
– It requires a fundamental restructuring of the world’s energy systems. Then we must develop solutions for the use of clean energy in all areas of society, ensure that sufficient clean energy becomes available through massive development of water, wind and solar power, and that we are also able to use our energy much more efficiently, says Barth Eide.
– NOT ENOUGH: Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (Labor Party) is aware that it is not enough if only Norway cuts the use of fossil fuels. Photo: Annika Byrde
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The Minister emphasizes that the government is working hard both at home in Norway and internationally to reduce the use of fossil fuels and accelerate the use of renewable energy.
Barth Eide believes that until the world as a whole reduces its use of oil and gas, it will not necessarily matter much if Norway in isolation reduces its production.
– Instead, other countries can increase their production somewhat, so that the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are not necessarily reduced.
– Will lose
The grandparents’ climate action consists of almost 6,000 grandparents who are fighting against climate change, with the goal of leaving a better world for future generations.
Bakke is disappointed with Norway’s and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s efforts during the climate summit in Glasgow.
– Now the UN has said that we must stop oil exploration, but our prime minister will develop and not phase out. No one has said that we will close existing platforms, but the search is insanely expensive for us, she says.
Bakke is aware that Norway must set even clearer climate goals, and that the goal of 1.5 degrees is not possible to achieve – if one is to continue to look for oil and gas.
– We taxpayers pay a lot for them to continue with a business far into the future that we will lose money on.
Barth Eide believes the best Norway can do is take a leading role here at home, in Europe and globally.
– Here we have good partners both in and outside Europe who pull in the same direction. This includes governments, investors, businesses and consumers.
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