The European Union (EU) and Norway have established a Green Alliance to strengthen their joint climate action, environmental protection efforts and cooperation on clean energy and industrial transition. The agreement was signed in Brussels by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
Reaffirmation of 2030 and 2050 targets
President von der Leyen said: “Norway is a long-standing and reliable partner for the EU and we share a common vision to build a carbon neutral continent. We want our societies and economies to prosper together while reducing emissions, protecting nature, decarbonizing our energy systems and greening our industries. This Green Marine strengthens our bond and allows us to design a better future together.
Both parties reaffirm their commitment to their respective 2030 targets of at least a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. They aim to keep the global temperature increase within the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement while ensuring energy security, environmental protection and human rights.
Alignment of climate policies
A green alliance is the most comprehensive form of bilateral commitment established under the Green Pact for Europe, with both parties committing to climate neutrality and aligning their domestic and international climate policies to pursue this goal. This is only the second such agreement, after the EU-Japan Green Alliance signed in 2021.
The EU and Norway also agree to jointly promote ambitious climate action on the global stage. To this end, both parties, as major donors of climate finance, will cooperate to support developing countries and emerging economies in the process of implementing their climate and environmental policies. To help keep the global temperature increase within 1.5°C, the agreement confirms that full respect for the precautionary principle is paramount in the Arctic region.
