Sky Views: Norway's climate record is not as clean as you think

Sky Views: Norway's climate record is not as clean as you think

Thomas Moore, science correspondent

Greta Thunberg is right. Sailing is a wonderful way to travel to a conference.

I'm on the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a majestic three-masted tall ship built more than a century ago. And we're heading for Arendal, home to Norway's biggest political gathering, where I'm talking about the success of Sky Ocean Rescue.

.@GretaThunberg⁩ is right - sailing is the way to travel to conferences! I’m travelling on the beautiful Statsraad Lehmkuhl to #arendalsuka2019, Norway’s biggest political gathering, to talk about ⁦@SkyOceanRescue and #PassOnPlastic ⁦@UKSINet⁩ pic.twitter.com/mhugU2dOVt — Thomas Moore (@SkyNewsThomas) August 11, 2019

But this is no relaxed fjord cruise. I have two four-hour shifts a day, up in the rigging, hauling ropes and acting as lookout on the bow. It's hard work, particularly in a gale.

And when that's done, we - scientists, politicians, business leaders and young people - talk about the climate crisis in workshops on the deck.


In many ways Norway has a good story to tell.

It has a target of being carbon neutral by 2030, its electricity is already 100% generated by hydropower and big subsidies mean half of all new cars are electric (in the UK it's just 1%).

But while it cuts greenhouse gas emissions at home, it is one of the world's biggest exporters of carbon dioxide.

That's the Norwegian paradox.

It's the world's sixth-largest gas producer, and the 15th largest oil producer.

Norway could be Europe's battery, selling clean electricity rather than fossil fuels...But it would mean restructuring the economy, retraining oil workers and taking a punt that other countries would want the energy.

James Hansen, the scientist who brought climate change to the attention of the world in the 1980s, has calculated that Norway produces 20 times more oil and gas than it needs for its domestic needs.

That's the difference with the UK, which has also enjoyed a North Sea bonanza and also claims to be a climate leader. The UK uses its oil and gas; Norway exports it.

And because of the way greenhouse gas emissions are calculated, the exports don't show up on Norway's climate balance sheet. They're up to the importing country to declare.

So, officially Norway looks the model nation in a warming world. The truth is rather different.

And it's still looking for more oil. A dozen licences were awarded last year to companies to explore for new reserves in the Barents Sea, well inside the Arctic Circle.

The fragile Pole, warming faster than any other region on the planet, may soon be exploited for the very product that's melting it.

Image: A protest outside Statoil's office in Moscow against the Norwegian oil and gas group's planned drilling in the Arctic in 2013

The Norwegian government is unapologetic about its position.

In its policy objectives published earlier this year, the coalition said climate change "is one of the greatest environmental problems of our time". Yet it also vowed to continue a "stable and long term petroleum policy".

The reality is that until the North Sea reserves were discovered in the 1960s Norway was one of Europe's poorest countries.

Now it has an enviable welfare state and a sovereign wealth fund of £850bn.

It's a brave politician who kills the golden goose.

Image: In Norway, it is a brave politician who kills the golden goose

Which brings me back to the climate workshop on the ship.

There was unease amongst my fellow participants, all Norwegian, over the continued extraction of oil.

The single most effective way Norway could impact global emissions would be to leave the oil and gas in the ground.

And what about the oil jobs and the wealth?

Europe needs a source of green energy for when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. Norway has it.

Image: The most effective way Norway could make an impact would be to leave the oil and gas in the ground

A far-sighted government could get behind a massive wind farm programme, and free up the country's huge and guaranteed hydro-electric capacity for export.

Norway could be Europe's battery, selling clean electricity rather than fossil fuels. Then the country genuinely would be a climate leader.

But it would mean restructuring the economy, retraining oil workers and taking a punt that other countries would want the energy. And that's a lot harder than sticking with oil.

Like an alcoholic Norway knows what it does is wrong. But it can't stop coming back for more.

(Hannah Thomas-Peter is away)

Sky Views is a series of comment pieces by Sky News editors and correspondents, published every morning.

Previously on Sky Views: Martha Kelner - VAR in the Premier League is not a doomsday invention