Foreword

The Government has prepared this strategy at a time when Norway is facing its most serious security policy situation since the Second World War. There is also deep concern about the consequences of the major global policy changes we are witnessing in areas such as trade, climate change, global health, development co-operation and democracy promotion.

Why is the Government prioritising a strategy on the Foreign Service’s work on climate change at a time when there are so many other major and important priorities for foreign and development policy? The answer is that climate change remains the largest global challenge of the 21st century. The serious situation we are facing as a result of Russia’s blatant violation of international law through its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, along with a growing divide between the United States and Europe on key issues we would have preferred to avoid, does not change this. Not prioritising climate change in Norwegian foreign and development policy is therefore not an option for the Government.

On the contrary, the highly challenging situation we are facing makes it all the more important to consider how Norway should work to ensure that climate change remains a key issue and priority in international co-operation in the years to come. Because climate policy is inextricably linked to security policy. Climate change is in itself a security challenge that jeopardises our safety. Severe droughts, large-scale floods and wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. In addition, climate change also exacerbates resource scarcity and has the potential to create new geopolitical tensions and trigger major costs internationally. Therefore, it is stated in the white paper on Norway’s climate policy towards 2035 (Meld. St. 25 (2024–2025) (available in Norwegian only) that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service have an important role in promoting Norwegian interests internationally in the area of climate change, and that the Government will adopt a climate strategy for the Foreign Service.

The strategy has been prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and in close co-operation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Energy. It is based on the policy presented in Meld. St. 25 (2024–2025) and other relevant policy documents.

The strategy is based on the recognition that climate change cannot be treated as an isolated issue or confined solely to established negotiation processes. The climate negotiations will continue to be a main priority for Norway’s participation in international co-operation on climate change. But how we address climate change affects, and is affected by, efforts in almost all areas covered by foreign and development policy, be it security, energy, trade and competitiveness, humanitarian assistance or development co-operation. Therefore, a starting point for this strategy is that climate change must be integrated as a cross-cutting consideration and priority in the Foreign Service.

Although the framework for climate action is challenging, and the task ahead is substantial and demands intensified efforts, there is no cause for defeatism, as international climate co-operation is proving effective. Whereas projections at the time of the Paris Agreement in 2015 pointed towards a near 4°C increase above pre-industrial levels, current estimates now indicate a rise of closer to 2°C.

This is still too much, and considerable work remains to be done. With this strategy, the Government will prepare the Foreign Service to do its part in the ongoing important job of solving the climate crisis for the benefit of current and future generations.

Espen Barth Eide – Minister of Foreign Affairs

Andreas Bjelland Eriksen – Minister of Climate and Environment

Åsmund Aukrust – Minister of International Development