Norway is not the role model we need

November 24, 2025

https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/environment-can-australia-be-trusted-with-the-2026-cop/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=61b37e7a62-Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-61b37e7a62-745219603

Norway is often promoted as a role model for clean energy and a clean environment and social harmony. This view is faulty.

According to the International Energy Agency, as of 2023, Norway ranks approximately 10th in the world for per capita carbon emissions from fossil fuel exports. Norway’s per capita emissions are about 7.86 tons of CO₂ per year. This positions Norway among the higher emitters, primarily due to its significant oil and gas production. Like Australia, Norway heavily subsidies its fossil fuel industry (energypolicytracker.org). Norway has made significant public financial commitments to fossil fuels, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway’s subsidies for fossil fuels are substantially higher than those for renewable energy, with fossil fuel support being around five times greater than that for clean energy initiatives.

Australia needs to look beyond Norway for a cleaner energy and climate future. Sweden is worth a look. It has a number of environmental taxes including a carbon tax since 1991.