Energy
All forms of energy production impacts the environment. We must use energy efficiently. Fossil fuels must be replaced by renewable energy, which must be produced without harming nature.
The energy sources we use most of are also by far the most dangerous, and are in the process of changing the climate on our planet. But the future is both renewable and energy efficient.
Fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas account for ¾ of the world’s energy production total. They are the main drivers of global climate change. The production, sale and use of fossil fuels are the basis for everything from the Norwegian welfare state to major international political conflicts. In order to achieve the global emission reduction targets in the Paris Agreement, we must adress both energy production and consumption.
Renewable energy production
Energy sources such as hydropower, solar power, wind power, wave power and geothermal energy all have significantly lower carbon footprints than fossil fuels. But there is still a long way to go: In a country like Norway, where hydroelectric power is the most important source of energy, 60 percent of the energy produced comes from renewable sources. In the EU, only 8.5 percent of the total energy consumption comes from renewables.
Renewable energy sources have low climate gas emissions, but all energy production impact the environment. Large-scale hydropower developments often lead to significant changes in habitats, and large amounts of natural riches are often lost. Wind farms might negatively impact vulnerable coastal scenery and occupy large natural areas. Emissions related to nuclear power are caused by the fossil fuel intensive processes involved in uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, transportation and construction. As a result, nuclear power is responsible for both direct and indirect emissions comparable to those of fossil fuelled power plants. Nuclear power also provides radioactive waste that we as of yet have no safe way to store.
Energy saving and reduction
To solve the current climate- and nature crisis, we must use energy more efficiently. All forms of energy are limited resources. One of the important measures for a more environmentally friendly energy use is not to produce more, but to consume less. If we utilize the energy we already have on hand in a more efficient way, we save the climate as well as the environment both emissions and interference. The potential in energy efficiency is enormous. With much of the technology already developed, research in the field reveals an increasing number of smart solutions for the industry, for infrastructure and buildings.
Hydropower is no excuse
Most of Norway’s energy is supplied with renewable hydropower. Still, we are one of the countries with the highest electricity consumption in the world per capita. This impacts both nature and the international energy grid we are part of. If we reduce the energy use in Norway, more renewable energy may be exported to countries where, for instance, pollution and dangerous coal power plants are the alternatives.
Today’s energy consumption covered by fossil fuels will be switched over to renewables. More and more cars will be electric, and the enormous amount of fossil energy that we use just to recover oil and gas, will be replaced by renewable energy in the future.
Our position
Norway is among the world’s countries with the highest energy consumption per capita, that is why we have to reduce our energy consumption total.
- All the energy we use must be from renewables.
- All energy production impacts the environment. Therefore, we have to use the energy in the most efficient manner. We must exploit the vast potential of energy efficiency.
- Fossil energy sources are limited. The burning of fossil fuels is the main driver of greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. If we use these energy sources, greenhouse gas emissions must be captured and stored.
- Norwegian oil and gas production must gradually be reduced and stopped. We must stop the exploration for more oil and gas, and develop a strategy for a just transition in line with our climate targets.
- Nuclear power poses such a large risk to the environment that it should be eliminated. Nuclear power is not climate friendly. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with nuclear power produces emissions comparable to those of a gas power plant, because of the intense use of fossil fuels during the processes involved in mining, conversion, enrichment, transportation and construction.