Norway
Intervention made by Norway at the IPM 280207
Climate Change
Mr. Chairman
? Let me start by echoeing the statement made by the EU in hoping that our work done
during these days could complement and give emphasis to efforts to reduce climate change
emissions in other international fora. The CSD could have a particular role in addressing
the link between climate change and sustainable energy production and use. And the CSD
should aid UN reform by highlighting the importance of integrating cross-cutting issues,
such as environment and climate change, in the One UN Country Programmes that are
being drawn up as a first result of the new UN reform.
? Efforts to tackle climate change must be guided by the need to prevent global temperature
increase above 2°C. This will require radical changes in production and consumption
patterns, and more than 50 per cent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by the
mid of this century. These reductions must start soon.
? In Norway, we have seen increases in our national emissions over the past 10 years. At
the same time, the Norwegian Commission on Low Emissions recently concluded that
Norway can turn into a low emission society by 2050, with emission reductions between
50 and 80 percent. And it does not have to be very expensive - if we start now and reduce
our emissions gradually. The Norwegian government is already following up the
Commission?s recommendations.
? To steer the global development in the right direction, the developed countries must take
the lead and a major share of the responsibility. But in order to achieve adequate long and
medium term goals for global emission reductions, we must have a much broader
participation in this process than today. Annex B parties to the Kyoto Protocol represent a
declining share of global emissions and can not solve the problem alone. In the future,
more Convention parties must take on responsibilities ? especially the rich countries that
have failed to commit so far.
? With reference to our ?common but differentiated responsibilities?, it is important that
developing countries are involved, because of the future growth of emissions expected in
these countries. And given the benefits of cleaner energy, national climate measures are in
the best interests of all countries.
? Africa has done little to cause global warming. But its effects can wipe out efforts to fight
poverty and improve health and food security. Adaptation is therefore a priority issue, also
in Africa. Norway is currently increasing its support to adaptation measures in developing
countries, and would urge other countries to follow-suit. And in responding to the
intervention made by Tuvalu, I would also like to mention that Norway has initiated a
discussion on the desirability of pooling parts of the future revenue from solidarity levies
on air travel to fund climate change adaptation costs in developing countries. We would
also like to welcome the decision to establish an adaptation fund under the UNFCCC.
? Norway is currently implementing national measures to ensure compliance with our
present commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Norway is ready to take its share of
emission reductions in a far more ambitious and global effort, post 2012, to prevent a
global temperature increase above 2°C. This is the aim that we wish all Governments will
make into a political imperative when we meet again in May.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Climate Change
Mr. Chairman
? Let me start by echoeing the statement made by the EU in hoping that our work done
during these days could complement and give emphasis to efforts to reduce climate change
emissions in other international fora. The CSD could have a particular role in addressing
the link between climate change and sustainable energy production and use. And the CSD
should aid UN reform by highlighting the importance of integrating cross-cutting issues,
such as environment and climate change, in the One UN Country Programmes that are
being drawn up as a first result of the new UN reform.
? Efforts to tackle climate change must be guided by the need to prevent global temperature
increase above 2°C. This will require radical changes in production and consumption
patterns, and more than 50 per cent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by the
mid of this century. These reductions must start soon.
? In Norway, we have seen increases in our national emissions over the past 10 years. At
the same time, the Norwegian Commission on Low Emissions recently concluded that
Norway can turn into a low emission society by 2050, with emission reductions between
50 and 80 percent. And it does not have to be very expensive - if we start now and reduce
our emissions gradually. The Norwegian government is already following up the
Commission?s recommendations.
? To steer the global development in the right direction, the developed countries must take
the lead and a major share of the responsibility. But in order to achieve adequate long and
medium term goals for global emission reductions, we must have a much broader
participation in this process than today. Annex B parties to the Kyoto Protocol represent a
declining share of global emissions and can not solve the problem alone. In the future,
more Convention parties must take on responsibilities ? especially the rich countries that
have failed to commit so far.
? With reference to our ?common but differentiated responsibilities?, it is important that
developing countries are involved, because of the future growth of emissions expected in
these countries. And given the benefits of cleaner energy, national climate measures are in
the best interests of all countries.
? Africa has done little to cause global warming. But its effects can wipe out efforts to fight
poverty and improve health and food security. Adaptation is therefore a priority issue, also
in Africa. Norway is currently increasing its support to adaptation measures in developing
countries, and would urge other countries to follow-suit. And in responding to the
intervention made by Tuvalu, I would also like to mention that Norway has initiated a
discussion on the desirability of pooling parts of the future revenue from solidarity levies
on air travel to fund climate change adaptation costs in developing countries. We would
also like to welcome the decision to establish an adaptation fund under the UNFCCC.
? Norway is currently implementing national measures to ensure compliance with our
present commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Norway is ready to take its share of
emission reductions in a far more ambitious and global effort, post 2012, to prevent a
global temperature increase above 2°C. This is the aim that we wish all Governments will
make into a political imperative when we meet again in May.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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