Transparency into government travel activities

The Ministry of Government Administration and Reform (FAD) wants increased transparency into how government activities are affecting the environment. So for the first time, the government has prepared an overview over job related air travel by state employees. – The environmental challenges we are facing, necessitate more knowledge on how government activities are affecting the environment, says Mr Jørund Leknes, political adviser to the Minister.

During the first half of 2008, the 137 000 state employees in Norway made 260 000 round trip air flights. This means that each individual employee made an average of two trips during this period, according to new FAD estimates. The total travel distance is estimated to be approximately 250 million kilometers. The estimate is based on reporting from state enterprises.

- Transparency into government travel activities is important in order to secure a conscious attitude as to how we are affecting the environment. According to the government’s strategy for government administration reform, state enterprises should start using telecommunication technology to reduce travel activity when this is adequate and cost-effective, Mr Leknes says.

Climate quotas to be purchased for foreign travel
State employees made around 85,000 international round trip flights during the first half of 2008. This sums up to a total travel distance of more than 161 million kilometers. The government last year decided to purchase climate quotas corresponding to the carbon dioxide emissions caused by foreign air travel made by state employees.

- Climate changes are the greatest environmental challenge we are facing today and a threat to a sustainable social and economic development. I am pleased that we now have factual numbers providing us with a basis for the purchase of climate quotas. This is an important contribution to a reduction of climate gases emissions, Mr Leknes says.

Climate quotas
A climate quota is a saleable right to emit one metric ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A quota bound country or enterprise must be in possession of climate quotas in order to be allowed to emit carbon dioxide. When Norway purchases such quotas, it reduces the amount of quotas that may grant a right to emissions from other sources. This leads to a reduction of the total amount of climate gas emissions in the world. 

International air travel is not quota bound according to present regulations. Every single international air flight therefore contributes to an increase in global emissions. When the government buys quotas to cover emissions from state employees’ international flights, we can rest assured that the total emissions in the world still won’t increase. This year, NOK 10 million is appropriated for the purchase of climate quotas. This amount is supposed to cover international flights made by government officials on duty. If necessary, state agencies are authorized to use an additional NOK 12,5 million for this purpose.