The National Sustainability Network

KS coordinates a network consisting of municipalities and regional governments which are frontrunners in working with the SDGs. The network aims to enhance competencies and capabilities, develop methods for analysing and evaluating local and regional SDG efforts, facilitate local and regional SDG data utilisation in governance mechanisms, bolster citizen involvement, and promote sustainable public procurement. Together with KS they produce monthly webinar series called “Sustainability Fridays“ since 2020. The webinars cover a broad range of sustainability topics and offer opportunities for peer learning, exchanging experiences and discussion of sustainability challenges. The webinar series attracts a broad audience from government, municipalities, academia and other sectors.

Source: KS, Sustainability Network

Nordic Voluntary Subnational Review

“The Nordic View on Sustainability – Learnings from the Local Level” a Nordic Voluntary Subnational Review (VSR) is the first cross-national report of its kind in the world, published in 2024 and presented at HLPF. It was developed as a joint venture by the Nordic Associations of Local and Regional Governments (the LRGAs) and Nordregio, and with funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers. The aim of the report was to highlight how the Nordic municipalities and regional authorities have localised the SDGs – progress made, as well as obstacles they have met in their work.

Source: Nordregio, The Nordic View on Sustainability – Learnings from the Local Level, 2024

Tripartite Cooperation

The following is an unedited text written by the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).

In Norway, tripartite cooperation has a long history. Our system of wage formation with centralised collective bargaining between a few strong organisations on the workers’ and employers’ side is an important part of the model. A key feature of the model is what often is referred to as the ‘frontrunner model’ or the ‘pace setting model’ (‘frontfagsmodellen’). According to this model, the sectors most exposed to foreign competition are the first to negotiate. The pay increase that the parties agree on for these sectors sets the norm for the other sectors, which subsequently start their bargaining.

The organisations can consider the impact that wage increases have on the level of unemployment, given their size and representativity. The centralised aspect of the negotiations also facilitates a relatively equal distribution of income. Combined with our welfare state, a well-functioning insurance system for the unemployed and strong institutions, the Norwegian model has contributed to a flexible labour market.

Of great importance is also the model’s system for avoiding conflicts and conflict-solving measures when a conflict has arisen. The parties make hard efforts to reach compromises and agreements. The National Mediator and the Labour Court are both additional vitally important institutions that both parties trust. As long as a collective agreement is in force, no industrial action (strike or lockout) can take place. This secures predictability and industrial peace for long periods, and makes the system work well. Social dialogue, in particular collective bargaining, has secured influence for the social partners, and it plays an important role in securing decent work for the whole workforce. The Norwegian model has proven its strength in challenging times when the economy has been under pressure. The model has also paved the way for reforms in the welfare system such as the pension system.

Inclusion of Youth in Norwegian Political Processes

The following is an unedited message from The Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU).

Ensuring meaningful youth inclusion in political processes is essential for a democratic and forwardlooking Norway. Young people make up a significant part of society, yet many political structures still aren’t built to address our experiences, priorities, or concerns. Although Norway has strong democratic traditions, youth involvement remains inconsistent and often dependent on individual politicians or temporary initiatives. For political decisions to be legitimate and futureproof, youth participation must be strengthened, formalised, and recognised as a necessity, not an optional addon.

Across the country we are already contributing to social change. Democratic youth organisations and national youth structures help connect these efforts, but our influence still varies. Meaningful youth participation requires that young people are included in defining the problems, shaping the processes, and influencing the solutions. It means that methods, timelines, and arenas must be adapted to the realities of young people, not the other way around. Too often, we are invited into processes only after key decisions have been made, or our perspectives are reduced to symbolic feedback. Real youth inclusion requires more than consultation, it requires genuine powersharing.

Institutionalised mechanisms are essential to ensure that progress is longterm, not temporary. The UN Youth Delegates and other formal representation systems must be protected, expanded, and adequately funded. Another promising development is the growing recognition of youth as partners across sectors, including LNU’s involvement in the Government’s Higher Executive Forum for the SDGs. This is a clear sign that the Government acknowledges that achieving the SDGs requires young people at the table. Complex societal challenges can only be solved through collaboration across generations and sectors; when youth are included alongside leaders from civil society, business, academia, and public administration. It also demonstrates that youth perspectives are relevant not only in “youth policy,” but in the full spectrum of national priorities.

At the same time, youth inclusion must be equitable. Barriers tied to geography, income, disability, or cultural background still prevent many from participating. If Norway is serious about reducing inequality and strengthening democracy, then all young people must be able to contribute, not just those who already know how the system works.

Youth are ready to contribute, and we expect political processes that include us not to be optional or temporary. If Norway intends to meet the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda, youth participation must be more systematic, youthdriven, and embedded across every level of decisionmaking.

Message to the Government from Organised Labour

The following is an unedited message from the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO).

Norway has strong traditions of cooperation between the authorities and the social partners. LO wishes to emphasise that this organised cooperation is crucial for high employment, low inequality, and a high level of trust. At the same time, Norway is facing increasing inequality, a shortage of skilled workers, social exclusion, and the need for a just climate transition.

To meet climate and energy needs, LO together with NHO took the initiative for the Energy Boost (“Kraftløftet”) in 2023. This cooperation aims to ensure increased power production, faster grid expansion, and a foundation for new green industry.

LO contributes through concrete cooperation schemes. The joint initiatives between LO and Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), and between LO and The Federation of Norwegian Enterprise (Virke), are bipartite funding schemes through which enterprises can apply for support for development projects. The funds are used to strengthen cooperation between management and employees, improve the working environment, reduce sick leave, and manage restructuring processes. This makes social dialogue operational at workplace level.

The IA Agreement (Inclusive Working Life Agreement) is another key instrument. LO, employers, and the authorities cooperate through this agreement to reduce sickness absence and prevent people from dropping out of working life through systematic follow-up in the workplaces.

The shortage of skilled workers is a major challenge. LO has therefore prioritised vocational education and training through more apprenticeships, a strengthened apprenticeship scheme, and closer cooperation between schools and working life. The right to continuing and further education is important to ensure that workers can adapt in line with technological developments and new requirements.

Growing economic inequality is another challenge. LO works for collective wage bargaining with low-pay supplements and high collective agreement coverage, combined with strong universal welfare. This helps to keep inequalities down and ensures broad participation.

Gender equality and inclusion remain challenges. Many women work involuntary part-time, therefore LO works for full-time and permanent positions and equal pay. At the same time, more women must enter industry and the energy sectors to ensure that the green transition does not exacerbate gender inequalities. Minority women face particular barriers, and LO advocate for the need for targeted skills development, Norwegian language training, and better access to employment.

Unlawful and unfair practices in working life are a persistent challenge. Measures supported by LO include mandatory Health Safety and Environment cards on construction sites, joint labour crime centres where several agencies cooperate, and stricter regulation of temporary agency work. Public procurement increasingly includes requirements for wages and working conditions in line with collective agreements.

LO believes that responsible supply chains are crucial. Companies and public contracting authorities must carry out due diligence assessments in line with the OECD Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

LO’s experience is that institutions and cooperation deliver concrete results.

Message to the Government from the Norwegian Farmers’ Union

The following is an unedited message from the Norwegian Farmers’ Union.

Sustainable Food Production

Sustainability is a key concept in Norwegian agriculture. All three dimensions – economic, social, and environmental sustainability – must be emphasised when designing a sustainable food system. The Norwegian Farmers’ Union believes that food must be produced in a way that does not degrade natural resources, safeguards the viability of ecosystems and biodiversity, and contributes to reducing global warming. At the same time, production must be economically sustainable at the farm level and provide a basis for farmers and employees throughout the value chain to earn incomes on par with other groups in society.

The global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. At the same time, climate change is expected to reduce food production in several regions of the world. Norway is among the countries with the lowest level of food self-sufficiency. Making optimal use of Norway’s agricultural resources to produce sustainable food is therefore an important contribution to global food security. A healthy and sustainable diet should be based on foods that can be produced locally, while also aligning with sound nutritional advice.

Norway’s natural conditions, including abundant rainfall, provide good opportunities for livestock production. About two-thirds of agricultural land is suitable primarily for growing grass. In addition, 45 percent of the total land area consists of high-quality pastures. Only ruminants – such as goats, sheep, and cattle – are able to convert grass into nutrient-rich food for humans. Grain is grown on almost one-third of agricultural land, but due to climatic limitations, only a small portion reaches food-grade quality. The proportion varies from year to year but averages 15 percent. The remaining 85 percent is used as concentrate feed for pigs, chickens, laying hens, and other livestock.

Vegetables, fruit, berries, and potatoes are grown in the most climatically favourable areas and account for 2.3 percent of agricultural land. There is significant potential to increase production of fruit and vegetables in Norway. Achieving this requires, among other things, strengthened import protection, improved storage quality, and varietal development that meets consumer preferences. Agriculture aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration in soil by a total of 5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents by 2030. This will be achieved through improved feeding practices, better animal health, breeding, fossil-free machinery and heating, more efficient fertiliser use, sound agronomy, biogas production, improved soil management, and carbon-smart practices.

Norwegian farmers are at the forefront of adopting new technologies that make food production more efficient and environmentally friendly. Nearly 90 percent of new barns are equipped with milking robots, and about half of all milk is now produced in such barns. Electronic monitoring of livestock on outfield pastures is becoming common, and many farmers use precision technology such as GPS-guided tractors and sensor-based fertilisation and pesticide applications.

Agriculture is crucial for employment and value creation across the country. Today, three major grocery chains control almost the entire Norwegian grocery market, resulting in limited competition in several parts of the value chain. Strengthening the position of farmers and improving competition is therefore essential. Sustainable Development Goal 17 highlights the need for cooperation between authorities, businesses, and civil society. The Norwegian agricultural model is characterised by close collaboration both within the industry and between the sector and public authorities.

Norwegian agriculture operates under high standards for animal welfare and environmental management and has the potential – with governmental support – to become a world leader in sustainability. Norway benefits from high animal welfare, low greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production, low use of antibiotics and pesticides, abundant access to clean water, and good working conditions across the food value chain. By using local resources to produce food, we can reduce pressure on the global food system and strengthen national preparedness. At the same time, it is essential that agriculture continuously improves its production methods to ensure even more sustainable food production in the future.

Message to the Government from Local and Regional Authorities

The following is an unedited message from The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS).

Key Messages to the Government

• The 2030 Agenda delivers real value when embedded in local and regional governance. Norwegian local and regional authorities are working actively to implement, measure and deliver on the SDGs, and are a pivotal part of the Norwegian SDG achievement.
• The 2030 Agenda remains relevant for local and regional authorities. No matter what new challenges emerge, economic uncertainty, shifting demographics and technological paradigms, or the accelerating impacts of climate change, the framework continues to offer a relevant framework for the transformation needed for achieving sustainable development
• The national government must support local level action by recognising the pivotal role played by municipalities and regions in driving the sustainability transition. Provide them with the mandate and resources needed to act effectively, while taking into consideration different geographies and socio-economic conditions.
• Maintain a holistic approach to sustainability by addressing the social, economic and environmental aspects of all policy proposals. Ensure policy coherence, synergies, and reduce any negative spill-over effects that arise across sectors. Break down silos and contribute to secure the inter-connection between innovation, digitalisation and sustainable development.
• Continue funding national initiatives to support local SDG implementation, social innovation, and climate action through a multi-stakeholder approach. Support the development of local- and regional-level indicators and reliable data collection that can help local and regional authorities measure progress towards SDG achievement.

The 2030 Agenda delivers real value when embedded in local and regional governance. With at least 65 per cent of SDG targets linked to the work and mandates of local and regional authorities, local action is a precondition for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Local and regional authorities actively contribute to the SDGs by integrating them in key strategies and budgeting, and by taking part in coordination mechanisms and collaborations to facilitate their delivery. Given that municipal and regional responsibilities closely align with the SDGs, the 2030 Agenda is an effective tool for local and regional development and improving quality of life. A vast majority of local and regional authorities in Norway are working actively to implement, measure and deliver on the SDGs, as documented in the Nordic Subnational Review in 2024.

Norway’s decentralised governance model facilitates the localisation of the SDGs and empowers municipalities and regions to engage in sustainability work. Key factors to localising the 2030 Agenda include capacity and competence work, political prioritisation, and the incorporation of the 2030 Agenda into the administrative management of the local and regional authority. High levels of trust and cooperation between local, regional and national authorities are important success factors, as well as a collaborative governance culture that facilitates the involvement of diverse stakeholder groups. This is particularly beneficial for the local and regional work with the 2030 Agenda, since achieving the SDGs requires a whole-of-society approach.

Despite these efforts, there are still significant obstacles to overcome in implementing the SDGs and reaching the global ambitions of the 2030 Agenda. Political leadership determines success or stagnation, and stable political support across all governance levels is essential for accelerating implementation and ensuring that the 2030 Agenda translates into real and lasting impact.

Message to the Government from the Sami Parliament

The following is an unedited message from the Sámediggi , the Sami Parliament.

The Sámi Parliament considered the matter Climate Change in Sápmi in 2023 (Case 023/23). It established that climate change is affecting Sámi communities in ways that challenge the natural resource base, livelihoods and cultural sustainability in Sápmi. The decision makes clear that climate change must be understood in conjunction with biodiversity loss, land encroachments and increasing pressure on Sámi areas. It states that responses must be grounded in Sámi values and knowledge systems. This provides the basis for the Sámi Parliament’s work on the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, the Sámi Parliament refers to the report from 2023 “Climate Change in Sápmi – an overview and a Path Forward”, prepared in cooperation with the Saami Council. The report documents how changes in snow and ice conditions, sea temperatures, ecosystems, and seasonal rhythms affect reindeer husbandry, fishing, hunting, gathering, traditional Sámi handicraft products (duodji), health, and community life. It emphasises Indigenous knowledge as a part of climate adaptation and environmental governance and shows that Sámi use of nature represents sustainable practices that should guide work. It also recommends strengthening Sámi institutions and knowledge environments and establishing a Sámi Climate Council and an Arctic climate platform.

Against this background, the Sámi Parliament stresses that the Sustainable Development Goals must be understood and implemented in ways that reflect Sámi realities. Climate change and biodiversity loss affect Sámi communities early and severely, while the cumulative effects of climate change and land encroachments reduce ecological resilience and the adaptive capacity of Sámi livelihoods. Intact ecosystems are essential for climate adaptation, food security, and the exercise of Sámi culture. The Sámi Parliament expects the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to be applied before interventions in Sámi areas.

Sámi values such as community, responsibility, moderation, and respect for nature must guide implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sámi languages, culture, livelihoods, and traditional knowledge must have a natural place in strategy development. Sámi food systems, harvesting practices, and customs represent sustainable approaches that should be recognised as part of the response to climate and biodiversity crises.

Businesses and industries establishing themselves in Sápmi must undertake thorough due diligence assessments of the consequences for Sámi culture and the natural resource base and adhere to standards and ethical guidelines that safeguard Indigenous rights. The Sámi Parliament maintains that the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved unless Sámi communities are genuine partners in decision-making and Sámi knowledge systems and institutions are strengthened as part of this work.