2 Goals and guidelines

Addressing the climate threat is a key task for the Government in its foreign and development policy. The Foreign Service, which consists of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the foreign service missions, is central to the implementation of policy. The foreign service missions play an important role as Norwegian representatives abroad, identifying opportunities, establishing contacts and assisting Norwegian actors, keeping the Government informed of developments in the country of service and raising awareness of Norway and Norwegian conditions, priorities and initiatives.

2.1 Goals for the strategy

The main goal is for Norway to be a key actor for an ambitious international climate co-operation and green transition, with a Foreign Service that promotes Norwegian goals and interests by integrating climate as a cross-cutting consideration and priority.

Targets:

• The Foreign Service has knowledge and expertise on climate change and the links with other key policy areas, and how this affects how we best can promote Norwegian goals and interests.
• We adopt a comprehensive and coordinated approach to our work across the Foreign Service and government ministries.
• The Foreign Service contributes to identifying opportunities and promoting defined Norwegian business interests for green transition.
• Through the Foreign Service, we communicate effectively and factually about Norwegian climate targets and measures and about what Norway is doing domestically and internationally to help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

2.2 Guidelines

• Although the Foreign Service is directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it serves as the external arm of the entire central government administration.
• The strategy is based on established policies and goals for Norway’s efforts on climate change and green transition, and sets out how the Foreign Service is to contribute to their realisation.
• Climate change is a cross-cutting consideration and priority in the Foreign Service that must be integrated and reflected in its work in all policy areas.
• The Foreign Service’s work on climate change is based on key principles for Norway’s participation in international co-operation, including:
• respect for international law and human rights, including gender equality;
• multilateralism and rules-based international co-operation that provides predictability;
• just transition, i.e., that climate policy does not exacerbate differences, but rather ensures that everyone shares in the benefits of a low-emission society;
• co-operation between the public and private sectors to solve major global challenges.
• The implementation of the strategy shall allow for flexibility and adaptation to local conditions and changes in the framework conditions for effective climate diplomacy.
• Alignment between goals, measures and resources in the strategy must be ensured.