utslippsmålene

Utslippsmålene are Norway’s binding national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They form an essential part of the country’s climate policy and are intended to align with international obligations under the Paris Agreement, while guiding domestic policy across sectors and levels of government.

The targets are generally framed with a baseline year, commonly 1990, and specify reductions to be achieved by specific years. They include an overarching long-term goal to bring total emissions toward net-zero on a defined timeline, with interim milestones to steer policy in the shorter term. The accounting of progress often involves emissions from most sectors, and may include or exclude removals from forests and other land use changes (LULUCF) depending on how a particular target is defined.

Governance and implementation are managed through the Norwegian government in cooperation with the Storting (Parliament). Targets are established or revised through climate policy negotiations, legislation, and accompanying policy instruments. Progress is monitored and reported through mechanisms such as climate budgets (klimabudsjett) and annual climate and emissions reports, drawing on data from agencies like the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet) and Statistics Norway (SSB).

Policy measures aimed at meeting the utslippsmålene span multiple sectors, including transport, energy, industry, agriculture, and the use of land. Tools used to reach the targets include taxes and subsidies, emissions trading, regulatory measures, and investments in greener technology and infrastructure. The targets provide a framework for planning, prioritizing, and evaluating climate action, and they are periodically updated to reflect scientific developments, technological progress, and evolving international commitments.