In his New Year’s address to the nation, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced that the Government will purchase CO2 emission quotas to offset the pollution caused by international air travel by government employees.

Mr Stoltenberg said that climate change must be taken seriously, but in his address he also stressed the importance of maintaining optimism and faith in the future. The Norwegian Government will be among the first in the world to purchase quotas for international air travel. International air transport is not covered by the commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

“If this is only done by a few, it will have little impact, whereas if many take part, it will have a significant effect. We want to set an example,” said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg's New Year's address
Photo: Terje Pedersen, ANB

CO2 quotas are emissions allowances that can be bought by countries and firms that emit greenhouse gases. The quotas are bought and sold in an international market. When Norway purchases such quotas, this reduces the amount of emissions allowances available to other sources, thus reducing total greenhouse gas emissions. Air travel is not subject to such quotas under the Kyoto Protocol.