The climate plan presented today (January 8) is the government's plan to meet the Paris Agreement target of reducing emissions by at least 50-55 percent by 2030. Compared to 1990, agriculture today plays a key role in these work and is already in the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate agreement between the state and agriculture
- In the climate plan we state that the climate agreement between the state and agriculture is the mainstay of further climate work. Agriculture has contributed to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and increased absorption of CO2. The industry has reduced emissions per unit produced for several years, says Olaug Bollestad, Minister of Agriculture and Food.
- Norwegian agriculture will produce what consumers expect in a climate-friendly manner. Live agriculture throughout the country and active forestry are natural and very central elements of green change and green business in the future, says Olaug Bollestad, Minister of Agriculture and Food.
The Norwegian government implements the climate agreement. 5 million tons of CO2
As one of the few industries in Norway, agriculture has concluded a binding climate agreement with the government. This happened in June 2019. The climate plan presented today by the government bases its participation in agriculture on an agreement already concluded.
In the climate agreement with agriculture, the parties undertook to take measures to reduce emissions and increase the absorption of carbon dioxide, which corresponds to 5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the period 2021-2030.
Means on an individual farm
Following the climate agreement, agriculture has presented a plan on how emissions can be reduced without compromising food production. Activities mainly target what farmers can do on their own farm, including fertilization, feed and livestock development, energy consumption, as well as good agronomy and animal health. The aim is also to increase the absorption and storage of carbon in the soil.
Growing forests absorb CO2
The forest has a key role to play in tackling the climate problems we face. Growing forests contribute to high CO2 sequestration.
- The forest is a natural mechanism for capturing and storing carbon dioxide. The government is proposing a range of measures that can contribute to increasing the absorption of CO2 by forests and other green areas. This is important for achieving the 2030 climate goals, but even more so for achieving our long-term climate goals, says Bollestad, Minister for Agriculture and Food.
Raw materials and renewable energy
We can obtain raw materials and renewable energy from the forest, which reduces emissions in other sectors. Live wood, forest soil and other areas store large amounts of carbon. To achieve the climate goals it is necessary to maintain or increase these carbon stocks.
