Norwegian Environmental Technology by Horn Publishing / Horn Forlag

Norwegian

Environmental Technology

Published by Horn Forlag AS Ole Deviksvei 4, NO-0666 Oslo, Norway Tel: +47 22 88 19 30 Fax: +47 22 65 40 40 E-mail: mail@hornonline.com www.hornonline.com

Managing Director and Publisher Espen Edvardsen General Manager Anders Moe, anders@hornonline.com

Norwegian Environmental Technology

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Horn Forlag AS assumes no responsibility for material sent to us by the companies presented in this book. The companies themselves are responsible for ensuring that the text and pictures comply with national and international law.

Managing Editor Hege Solberg Design and layout Ina Borch Compiled and written by Tony Samstag, Totaltekst DA Profile Reservation Christoffer Rikvold, christoffer@hornonline.com Knut Erik Bakken, knut@hornonline.com Printed by Livonia print SIA

Special Thanks to Shutterstock.com, Norwegian Ministry of the Environment, The Norwegian Packing Association, WWF, Avantor, HĂ&#x2DC;ST Valuable Waste

Espen Edvardsen Managing Director Horn Publishing

Horn Publishing Serving business worldwide

“Norwegian Environmental Technology” is divided into two sections. The editorial chapters outline Norwegian policies, legislation and achievements in environ-mental protection and conservation, while the commercial section present companies: a representative selection of trades, professions and vocations in which this country excels, and which stand to thrive and prosper in the future. We sincerely hope you will find the editorial section interesting and useful. But even more important: we hope you will take note of the wealth of information on companies offering the products and services you need. These are grouped into categories to help you find the most relevant companies as easily as possible.

The book is distributed free of charge in Norway and throughout the world, and is available at a number of important trade fairs and conferences. Additional copies are available on request from Horn Publishing, which also publishes similar books on other business sectors and industries in several countries. For further information, see www.hornonline.com Enjoy the book!

Foreword - Horn Publishing

“Norwegian Environmental Technology” pays tribute to the inspiring success of the Norwegian environmental technology sector, to the companies that develop and produce the technology, and to those who strive to minimize and even reverse the environmental impact of their activities and products by using it.

Foreword by B책rd Vegar Solhjell, Minister of the Environment ..................... 6 Foreword by Kari Bunes, Managing Director The Norwegian Packaging Association .......................................... 8 Foreword Nina Jensen, Secretary-General, WWF-Norway . ........................ 10 Chapter 1 Championing the environment ...................................................... 12 Chapter 2 Centres of excellence . ................................................................... 18 Chapter 3 Biodiversity and conservation . ...................................................... 22 Chapter 4 Climate change .............................................................................. 26 Chapter 5 Renewables at the fore .................................................................. 36 Chapter 6 Water, water everywhere ............................................................... 46 Chapter 7 Responsibility for waste . ............................................................... 54 Chapter 8 Quantifying the intolerable ............................................................ 62 Chapter 9 In praise of convergence: doing well by doing good . .................... 66 Index of business categories ................................................................... 71 Index of companies in alphabetical order . ...................................................................136

Building & Construction Foreword by Øystein Thorup, Avantor AS ......................... 73 Avantor ............................................................................... 74 Kebony ASA ........................................................................ 77 Climate Geonor AS ........................................................................... 78 Consultants - R&D Aquateam AS ...................................................................... 80 Bergfald Miljørådgivere ..................................................... 83 ENTRO . ................................................................................ 84 Education BI Norwegian Business School .......................................... 87 Energy Alpha-InnoTec Norway AS ................................................. Norsk Teknisk Porselen AS ................................................. Onsagers AS . ...................................................................... YIT AS .................................................................................. Østfoldforskning AS ............................................................

89 90 92 95 96

Producer Responsibility Organizations Norsk Dekkretur A/S .......................................................... 99 Norsk Resirk AS ................................................................ 100 Norsk Resy AS . ................................................................. 105 Services Monster Worldwide Norway AS ...................................... 106 Radonlab AS ..................................................................... 109 Waste Management Foreword by Torleiv N. Ugland, HØST valuable waste .. Agenturhuset Salg A S ..................................................... Cambi AS . ......................................................................... HØST valuable waste . ...................................................... Namdal Ressurs AS .......................................................... SAR AS .............................................................................. Stiftelsen ReturGass/ Isovator AS ................................... The Norwegian Packaging Association ...........................

111 112 115 116 121 123 125 126

Water Clear Water 42 AS ............................................................ 131 International Water Treatment Maritime AS .................. 133 Saint-Gobain Byggevarer as ............................................ 135

BĂĽrd Vegar Solhjell

Foreword - Norwegian Ministry of the Environment

Minister of the Environment

Environmental technology â&#x20AC;&#x201C; towards a green economy Our world is facing serious environmental challenges: climate change, loss of biological diversity, use and discharge of hazardous chemicals, and other transboundary pollution problems to both air and water. To meet these challenges a fundamental shift in societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use and reuse of resources is needed. Although technology alone cannot solve our environmental problems, I believe environmental technology is an important stepping stone to enabling a swift transition to a Green Economy based on the principles of sustainable development. Increased use of, and enhanced commitment to, the development of environmental technology has the potential to reduce the cost of the changes necessary to meeting the environmental challenges. Development of environmental technology may also contribute to the needs of developing countries as economic growth may be achieved without risking increased stress to the environment. The Norwegian business sector has the industrial competence and skills that are relevant to the growing world market for environmental technology. We have a strong industry in areas such as maritime, oil and gas, seafood processing, metals and materials and recycling. It provides expertise in technology areas such as solar energy and materials, carbon capture, hydropower, environmentally-

friendly vessel technology, and reduced emissions from oil and gas production. In addition, Norway has expertise in several other environmental technology areas like waste management and environmental surveillance. Markets for green technology depend on policy decisions. The environmental costs of pollution and nature degradation are not automatically reflected in market prices. Authorities worldwide must develop policy frameworks reflecting environmental damage. This task is a challenging one, but essential for promoting low-carbon economies and to create credible markets for environmental technologies. This will provide businesses with the necessary market foundation to invest in environmental technology. In addition, we need informed citizens demanding green products and technologies, together with socially and environmentally responsible companies. It is the ambition of the Norwegian Government to be at the forefront of environmental policy. We will develop and use effective policy instruments (i.e. laws and regulations, fiscal instruments and agreements) that are necessary to achieve sufficient progress in the field of environmental protection. Strict regulations ensure a high level of environmental protection and create a demand for advanced environmental technologies and solutions.

It is also important to see the linkages and synergies between demand-side instruments like environmental regulations and supply-side instruments like support for research and technology testing. By establishing policy frameworks incorporating the whole innovation chain we can promote environmental technology development in a more efficient manner. In early 2013 we launched a new policy on innovation and smarter public procurement. Greener procurement is a cornerstone in this new policy. The world market for environmental technologies is already vast and is expected to grow further. I believe that there are certain global trends that indicate where the future markets for environmental technologies will emerge. The world needs more renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. Products, buildings and structures must be produced and administered in a sustainable manner. Access to clean water is scarce in many parts of the world and about 90 per cent of all wastewater in developing countries is discharged directly into rivers, lakes and oceans. Although such problems present tremendous challenges for all

countries and regions, they may also provide opportunities in terms of economic and social development. As stated by the United Nations Secretary-Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation: â&#x20AC;&#x153;the wastewater challenge is not only a threat, but a challenge where we can find opportunities for green employment, social well-being and ecological health.â&#x20AC;? As the environmental technology market is regarded as one of the most promising technology markets in the world, it is the ambition of the Norwegian Government that Norway should take its share of this market and release the potential for value creation and new jobs. By doing this we will contribute substantially to solving environmental challenges, both in Norway and elsewhere in the world. As this book certainly illustrates, I am confident that Norway is well placed to take part in this value creation by delivering internationally competitive products that contribute to sustainable development and a green economy.

Foreword - Norwegian Ministry of the Environment

Support for research and development, technology testing and demonstration are also crucial. The Norwegian Government will keep up its support for a broad range of environmental technology projects.

Norw eg ia n M in istry of th e E n v iron m en t

Kari Bunes

Foreword - The Norwegian Packaging Association

Managing Director The Norwegian Packaging Association

The Norwegian Packaging Association (NPA) regards the function of packaging throughout the entire packaging chain as a necessary and sustainable element of society today. When the NPA was founded, there had already been organised packaging work in Norway for almost 20 years. It began informally and continued in this manner until the establishment of the Norwegian Packaging Committee on November 30th 1955. The Norwegian Packaging Association (NPA) was formally established in 1969.

A Crucial Link Between Industry and Government At the NPA, we want to improve the level of understanding of the role and function of packaging by strengthening the expertise of industry in this area and through being a driving force for the introduction and implementation of packaging optimisation. The association is the crucial link between industry and the state authorities in all matters concerning packaging. Thanks to our own expertise and our vast network, both in Norway and internationally, we are the centre of expertise for industry within packaging. We are a driving force behind the implementation of the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s packaging directive as well as packaging standards in Norwegian industry. We also work actively to develop better coordination and closer cooperation between stakeholders in the Norwegian packaging sector, including that of research. Our goal is to gather all interested parties in the value chain together in order to ensure optimal, resource appropriate, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. What Do Members Contribute? Our active members show an increased focus on the important function of packaging as an element in the preservation of resources and the environment. We find that member companies fully understand that skills and knowledge concerning packaging are important. Within their own organisations they are constantly striving to

achieve more economical packaging and more efficient use of resources. They also have increasing numbers of employees who are furthering their education in the area, through activities such as attending the Packaging School run by the NPA. When brought together, our member companies possess a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience. When the developers, users, and producers of packaging meet within the same forum, there is an opportunity for cooperation that takes into account needs at all stages from start to finish. The increasing focus on optimisation of packaging solutions has made it absolutely necessary to think afresh, which is just as much the case when considering who to cooperate with and in what way. In this way, the networking and meeting opportunities created by the NPA are a substantial and significant resource. Meeting opportunities include professional seminars, both long and short, fairs, packaging days, interdisciplinary meetings, award ceremonies, and news updates and the distribution of information on our website. Colleagues in the NPA are also represented in the committee for the development of CEN standards and various other boards and juries, both nationally and internationally. We also cooperate closely with SPA (the Scandinavian Packaging Association), EPIC (the European Packaging Institute Consortium), and WPO (the World Packaging Organisation).

An increasing number of users and producers of packaging have now taken up the challenge and are working actively to optimise packaging solutions. We call it the Big Packaging Effort and report the results achieved by companies to the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency (Klif). This is NOK NOK (Industry’s Packaging Optimisation Committee) was established in 1998 in order to coordinate the work of industry in optimising packaging and reporting annual results to Klif. NOK’s main strategies are: • to be a centre of expertise and information concerning the optimisation of packaging

• to gather, build, and impart knowledge through research, analyses, and reports The reason for the establishment of the committee was the agreement between industry and the environmental authorities. These were signed in 1995 and cover, among other things, the collection/recycling of used packaging, in addition to the optimisation of packaging, i.e. the reduction of the overall environmental impact across the entire packaging chain. Reducing the quantity of packaging waste is also part of the agreement with the authorities. The task of collecting and recycling used packaging is carried out by dedicated packaging material/return companies. NOK has representatives from the Grocery Manufacturers of Norway, the Norwegian Grocery Trade’s Environment and Packaging Forum, the Norwegian Packaging Association, Green Dot Norway, the Norwegian Board Producers Association, the Norwegian Association of Wholesale Grocers, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, Norwegian Beverage Carton Information, and the Norwegian Plastics Federation

Foreword - The Norwegian Packaging Association

Interesting Cooperative Partners At the NPA, we are in constant and mutually beneficial cooperation with various operators from throughout the entire value chain. One of our shared goals is that when each and every new product is launched, the packaging should be fully optimised. This is a big challenge, as the task of optimising packaging generally involves many departments in an organisation (product development, marketing, acquisitions, sales, logistics, transportation) and ‘optimisation’ for one department is not necessarily optimal for another department. In these cases, it is crucial to remain focused on the shared goal and approach the entire value chain holistically.

• to be a skilled and proactive cooperative partner for the authorities • to initiate, coordinate, and impart information about work to optimise packaging to all sections of the packaging chain 9

Nina Jensen Secretary-General WWF-Norway

The future is renewable – and profitable

Foreword - WWF-Norway

Every two years WWF checks up on the Earth´s health condition with our “Living Planet Report”. Unfortunately our planet is not doing too well. Mankind is consuming natural resources faster than Mother Earth has time to produce them – especially in the Western world. If everyone were to live like Norwegians do today, we would need 2.7 planets.

High and growing levels of greenhouse gas emissions are the main reason why humanity is exhausting the planet, by occupying more space than nature actually allows. Norway is among the countries that contribute to a development headed in the wrong direction. Despite the fact that we are committed internationally to reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases equivalent to 30 percent of Norwegian emissions in 1990, this has no practical consequences for our national emissions. There is little point in having ambitious climate goals when actual government policies neither have resulted in nor will produce domestic reductions for the next 17 years. Two-thirds of the world´s fossil fuel resources must be left in the ground if we are to limit the average global temperature increase to two degrees. This was the message sent out by the International Energy Agency (IEA) last November. According to the IEA we are now headed toward a world that will be four to six degrees warmer. This means an unpredictable future, where our basic living conditions are put under enormous pressure. Extreme weather, droughts and floods are already affecting people across the globe, but

especially poor people in the South. Such changes will also be disastrous for plants and animals, and for the world´s food security. If we are to curb climate change and create a sustainable future, we must invest in renewable energy instead of oil, gas and coal. Through our “Energy Report” WWF has demonstrated that renewable sources like wind, water, geothermal and solar is fully capable of meeting the world´s total demand for energy by 2050. Even with the technological solutions currently available we can reach a 95 percent renewable energy supply! A sustainable renewable society requires efficient use of energy, more electrification and renewable solutions that safeguard nature´s needs. Some have got off to an early start. From 2010 to 2011 solar power in the United States increased by 47 percent, geothermal power by nine percent, hydropower by 30 percent and wind by 27 percent. And in December 2011, Germany installed solar energy equivalent to about three Alta power plants – in just one month. In 2009, China replaced the U.S. as the world´s largest market for wind energy, and Chinese solar manufacturers enjoyed forty percent of the market – mainly exporting to Europe. There are corporate actors working towards a renewable society in Norway as well. Representatives from Energi Norge, Elopak, IKEA and Hafslund have stated that a renewable future is necessary, profitable and important to

their companies. This is a strong signal to our politicians, who must create a comprehensive plan for how to utilize renewable resources. Are we to create new, sustainable jobs and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we need a white paper on the linkage between energy production and consumption. There is no reason why we should not commit one hundred percent to this: Norway has unique natural conditions for developing renewable energy and sustainable industrial products. We also have some of the world´s leading technological companies and large financial resources.

The traditional view is that a 100 percent renewable society is unrealistic because it requires large scale investments. WWF´s energy report shows that investments should amount to approximately two percent of the global GDP – which is no more than what the world´s governments spend on subsidizing fossil fuels today. In contrast to these subsidies, which the IEA has shown to benefit only the rich, investments in renewable energy contribute to increased energy security for the poorest. The reason is that renewable energy can be produced locally, based on the societies´ own resources, instead of relying on expensive oil imports.

Nature is a basic requirement for all development and prosperity. The products and services we produce are ultimately based on what nature provides. Therefore we need a green economy, centered on the principle that natural resources have an intrinsic value that must be managed properly if we are to ensure a safe future for both people and nature. In practice, a green economy is about three things: efficient and sustainable use of the planet’s resources, increased use of renewable energy sources, and a more equitable access to resources and fair distribution of wealth creation. Companies who quickly see the advantages of such an approach, and act accordingly, will finish first in the race for future jobs, growth and prosperity. A few decades ago it was considered progressive to extract fossil resources. Today we know that this is not a path that we should continue to follow. Humans have an amazing capacity for innovation, ideas, change. The same qualities that enabled us to produce oil and gas through extremely complex processes will help us to ensure that Norway and the world are being supplied with 100 percent renewable energy. The best ones are already underway.

Foreword - WWF-Norway

U.S. Secretary of Energy, Nobel Laureate Steven Chu, has estimated that it will only take 10 to 15 years before renewable energy resources such as solar energy are economically competitive with other forms of energy production. At that point renewables will seriously challenge the oil and gas driven global economy. In many markets, solar energy has already begun to compete with coal-fired power plants, and an increasing amount of the European energy production comes from renewable sources. Only this January, Spanish wind power plants delivered enough electricity to meet the energy needs of all households in the country.

Not the least: these investments will be returned in equal measure as soon as the renewable energy production is fully up and running – from 2030, according to WWF estimates.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

1 1

Championing

the environment

Norway isn’t shy about blowing its trumpet about its environmental achievements. And to be fair, even though Utopia hasn’t quite arrived in this land of the North in terms of the environment, it does have a lot to shout about. The country is investing heavily in environmental technology, as the following chapters show. The stick also goes with the carrot, and regulation and legislation also help to keep polluters in check. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and various forms of pollution coupled with an emphasis on using renewable energy are cornerstones of Norwegian environmental policy. But what exactly is “environmental technology”? In recent years, the expression has become something of a buzzword for numerous commercial, industrial and special-interest groups, each vying to claim the sector as its own. Working out a comprehensive definition is more difficult. NIFU, the Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education, sees “green technology”, as the sector is also known, as an umbrella term for “process technology, purification technology, treatment of waste such as recycling” and the development of “products and technical equipment to observe and preserve the environment by preventing pollution”. The U.S. National Safety Council goes into some detail: “An all-inclusive term used to describe pollution control devices and systems, waste treatment processes and storage facilities, and site remediation technologies and their components that may be utilized to remove pollutants or contaminants from, or to prevent them from entering, the environment. Examples include wet scrubbers (air), soil washing (soil), granulated activated carbon units (water), and filtration

Norwegian Environmental Technology 13

(air, water). Usually, this term applies to hardwarebased systems; however, it can also apply to methods or techniques used for pollution prevention, pollutant reduction, or containment of contamination to prevent further movement of the contaminants, such as capping, solidification or vitrification, and biological treatment.” A more nuanced approach might also take into account the role of the sciences, both pure and applied, plus the all-important principle of sustainability (the balancing act reconciling preservation of the natural environment and natural resources while turning a profit) and other social and/or economic implications of this rapidly expanding sector. Norway’s Climate and Pollution Agency (KLIF), sees the value of environmental technology “in solving a number of environmental challenges” and forming “a basis for Norwegian business development as well”. The Norwegian Climate and Pollution agency (KLIF) continues: “Measures for supporting the development and use of environmental technology may be regulatory, financial or administrative. A combination of different measures usually has to be employed to achieve both environmental improvements and business development.” The Norwegian Ministry of Environment was founded in 1972, as one of the first in the world. That same year, the Stockholm conference on the human environment had been convened, and the United Nations Environment Programme established. For the first time, global environmental management had become a real possibility.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

A driving force behind the green technology sector is the explosive growth in public awareness of environmental issues. According to the Environmental Data Services (ENDS) publishing group, the leading UK source of information on European environmental policy and

legislation, it is par for the course for Norway, a worldbeater in planning for a low-carbon future and “transition to the world of renewables” through its work on environmental technology. Energy powerhouse Norway’s distinctive energy and industrial make-up makes it very different from other countries in how it approaches climate change and limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Half of all energy used in Norway is from renewables, and nearly all electricity is hydropower, which generates next to no emissions of greenhouse gases. An energy-intensive industrial cluster based on the availability of hydropower, which causes substantial process-related emissions. There are not many technical measures to reduce these emissions. Over the past 40 years or so, Norway has developed a major petroleum sector and has become a leading exporter of oil. The oil and gas industry also forms an industrial cluster (refineries, petrochemical industry), and the petroleum sector as a whole accounts for about a quarter of Norway’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the oil and gas production is exported. A large proportion of this is natural gas that goes for export to other countries in Europe, where it may replace more carbon-intensive fuels and help to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. The process of moving towards a low carbon environment was accelerated when Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg audaciously pledged in 2007 that Norway would be a carbon-neutral country by 2050 − followed by a statement in early 2008 that Norway would try to achieve the goal even earlier, by 2030. “The move was calculated to protect Norway’s reputation as a sustainable development pioneer and broker for

good in the world”, stated ENDS. Norway does indeed have a head start, given that virtually all of its mainland electricity comes from hydropower and that the country is rich enough to fund emission reductions in other parts of the economy and buy carbon offsets abroad to cover what emissions remain. ENDS adds: “Norway wants to be as central to that new renewable age as it has been to the petroleum era”. Norway was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a CO2 tax in 1991. Over the years, this tax has led to technological developments and triggered measures that have yielded considerable emission reductions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a central part of the government’s policy on energy and climate change. International priorities National environmental policies evolve in response to international priorities. Norway is an enthusiastic participant in this process, seeing it not only as a means of addressing global environmental problems as such, but also as a way of minimizing environmental damage at home caused by activities in other countries. An additional goal is to promote sustainable development and improvements to the environment in neighbouring areas and in developing countries. Regional as well as global factors are involved in a range of environmental events including climate change, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, the spread of ecotoxic chemicals and the loss of biological diversity. Such problems in neighbouring countries often have a direct and immediate impact on the Norwegian environment. Joint Nordic projects, bilateral work with Russia, programmes in the Barents Sea area and agreements involving all the Arctic countries are examples of corresponding collaborative measures at regional level.

Cooperation at European level is organized within the framework of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement between the EU and EFTA countries and the UN-ECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), where work with countries in central and eastern Europe plays a central role.

At global level, one of the primary goals of Norwegian policy is to promote sound environmental management and the preservation of biological diversity through international diplomacy. Norway works with developing countries to devise sustainable production systems, encourage sustainable use of biological diversity natural resources, and reduce pollution. Another priority area, both at home and abroad, is protection and sustainable management of cultural heritage and cultural environments. Sustainable development Successive Norwegian governments have expressed the “ambition to support export of Norwegian environmental technology as part of development cooperation”. Indeed, the export of environmental technology to developing countries, an increasingly important aim of Norwegian policy, is a prime example of the sector’s ability to do well by doing good. Another of the beauties of environmental technology is its potential to protect or improve the environment while stimulating scientific and commercial innovation. Norway’s National Budget 2013 showed a strong focus on the environment, supporting the principles set out in the national Climate Agreement reached between the Norwegian political parties in 2008. The key elements were: CO2 tax on offshore operations on the Norwegian continental shelf was raised as from 1 January; the sum of NOK 10 billion was set aside to start a new climate and

Norwegian Environmental Technology 15

Norwegian Environmental Technology

1 energy fund; an increase, to NOK 3 billion, was made in the Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative’s allocation; and more money was earmarked for public transport, to encourage the use of it and other non-polluting transport solutions. Bård Vegar Solhjell, Minister of the Environment, said that the government’s commitment to the environment “must be followed up on in the budget and resolutions.” He described the 2013 budget as “a step in the right direction”. Besides increasing the NCS offshore petroleum CO2 tax by NOK 200 per tonne from 1 January 2013, corresponding to an emissions charge of roughly NOK 410 per tonne, it was also proposed to extend it to the fishing industry, with a CO2 tax of NOK 50 per tonne. The new climate and energy fund, related to climate change mitigation, renewable energy and energy conversion, will be developed from the Basic Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. The government will inject NOK 10 billion into it in 2013, increasing fund capital to NOK 35 billion. It will also increase its transfers to the Energy Fund from 2014. It is hoped that by focusing on technology, the fund’s activities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide lasting energy savings for industry by developing and implementing new technologies.

Priority areas for the government include: the environment and sustainable development; peace building, human rights and humanitarian assistance; oil and clean energy; women and gender equality; good governance and the fight against corruption; and efforts to reach the health-related Millennium Development Goals. Norway places particular emphasis on efforts to fight climate change and deforestation. Laws, treaties, conventions, protocols Success in international cooperation on environmental issues requires participating countries to negotiate, ratify and implement ambitious and legally binding agreements. Such agreements should be cost-effective across national boundaries while allowing for a reasonable measure of burden-sharing between rich and poor countries. Since the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, international environmental legislation has proliferated: there are now hundreds of multilateral

The well-known Kyoto Protocol, under which national governments commit themselves to meeting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). The environment ministry said in a status report that Norway started to develop its response to climate change in the late 1980s, with implementation of a CO2 tax in 1991. This was the first policy tool that was strictly aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Norway ratified the UNFCCC on 9 July 1993 and the Kyoto Protocol on 30 May 2002. It became a Party to the Protocol when it entered into force on 16 February 2005. Under the Protocol, Norway is committed to ensuring that its greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed the 1990 level by more than one per cent in the period 2008-12. Increased investments A report published in 2007 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that investment in just one area of environmental technology, sustainable energy, was increasing by over 40 per cent, or USD 70+ billion, a year worldwide, “in response to a number of global challenges and concerns, including climate change, increasing energy demand and energy security”. Global investment in renewable energy jumped 32 per cent in 2010, to a record USD 211 billion, according to UNEP report Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011. The report stated that the investment activity in developing countries was increasing strongly. It is the first time the developing world has overtaken the richer countries in terms of financial new investment. The investment community recognized the importance of the sector and the opportunities for value creation it presents, according to UNEP. It added that consumers and companies support the roll-out of a new energy infrastructure and a change in individual and corporate behaviour. Most importantly, governments and policymakers are introducing legislation and support mechanisms to accelerate the development of the sector. According to the international environmental technology investment group CleanTech, clean technology venture and corporate investments around the globe totalled $8.99 billion in 2011, a 13 per cent increase over 2010. Cleantech mergers and acquisitions reached record highs in 2011 with 391 deals and a dollar volume of $41.2 billion, a robust 153 per cent growth over 2010. Throughout 2011, investment totals grew while the number of deals declined by seven per cent compared to 2010, an indication that average round size is increasing, it said.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

Measures will also be introduced to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The government is also committed to continuing its work on the collaboration programmes Cities of the Future, FutureBuilt and the Low-Energy Programme to increase and spread knowledge about energy requirements and energy-efficient buildings. A sum of NOK 47 million was allocated to boost climaterelated research in 2013. In addition, the government raised planned spending on preventing deforestation in developing countries, noting that earlier efforts in this area are yielding good results.

environmental conventions or treaties, many with one or more protocols attached, and most of which have been negotiated since the Stockholm conference. Hundreds more treaties are bilateral, while a huge body of “soft law” (declarations, action plans, agendas, resolutions, decisions and the like) exerts a more indirect influence on international and domestic policies.

2 2

Centres of

excellence

A survey on clean energy and environmental technology published by Menon Business Economics in 2011 identified 2,200 companies in this sector in Norway. They employ 45,000 people and had a combined turnover of NOK 151 billion in 2009 (NOK 23 billion of exports in 2008). Value added was NOK 60 billion, making it the eighth largest industry in Norway. According to Menon, internationally competitive businesses in the field of renewable energy and environmental technology are mainly those that have a firm focus on knowledge, expertise and R&D. It says that those that have established themselves with extensive international sales soon lose their competitive foothold if they do not constantly follow up with renewal and development of services and technologies.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

Most notable Norwegian successes within renewable energy and environmental technology are those that think globally. Good examples include Tomra, Elkem, Borregaard, Rainpower and Multiconsult. Small high-growth companies such as Scandinavian-German Innotech Solar, Cambi, StormGeo, Kjeller Vindteknikk, ThomsonReuters-owned Point Carbon, Goodtech and Aanderaa Instruments are successful because they follow the same strategy.

Renewable energy is an R&D-intensive industry in which technological developments are key. The Arena programme provides financial and expert support for long-term development of regional business, and aims to stimulate innovation and value creation by collaboration between companies, R&D and educational environments and public development agencies. Arena is a national programme that runs 15-20 regional projects owned by Innovation Norway, SIVA and the Research Council of Norway. Innovation Norway provides the administration. The aim is to concentrate companies within the same area so as to form or enhance a network and grouping of expertise. Projects usually run for three years. Many of them are linked to environmental technologies, such as Arena Norwegian Offshore Wind (ARENA NOW). More than 20 companies from western Norway are gathered in this project which is engaged in project development, operations and being an operator, planning, engineering, production, installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The cluster aims to equip the companies for the offshore market where they can tap into major wind energy projects coming up in the North Sea. Another project is concerned with bioenergy, Arena Bioenergi Innlandet. Inland counties have large amounts of raw materials at their disposal, especially from forest areas. Oppland and Hedmark counties are particularly engaged in bioenergy at an international level. The aim of the project is increase collaboration (and thus expertise) between businesses, research institutions and the public sector. Norwegian Centres of Expertise (NCE) Another programme, Norwegian Centres of Expertise (NCE), has been set up to strengthen innovation activity among growth companies with the strongest growth rates and most international perspectives. Run by SIVA, the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway, it is designed to improve development processes in the cluster.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

2 One of the 12 clusters receiving NCE status is the IT cluster in Halden, which develops systems for energy and quota trading. Energy and Emissions Trading Halden (NCE Halden) is a broad consortium of industrial and research partners that have enjoyed international success in the fields of IT, energy and climate. The cluster has been involved in energy trading markets. User-driven Research based Innovation (BIA) This is one of the biggest programmes run by the Research Council of Norway. Half of R&D investments in Norway are financed by BIA. Solar energy is a key area that has attracted many funded projects in recent years. Other examples include: - Repower technologies and processes for miscoloured and microcracked solar cells (2009-2012) - Sustainable rehabilitation of civil and building structures (2009-2011) - NEXT GENeration production equipment for the production of ultra-thin silicon solar cell wafers (20092013) - Highly efficient solar cells based on Elkem Solar Silisium (2009-2011) - Biomass2Products (2009-2013).

Norwegian Environmental Technology

The Research Council of Norway channels significant resources into R&D where businesses are internationally

strong and where public investments are judged to be strategically correct. CIENS The Oslo Centre for Interdisciplinary Environmental and Social Research (CIENS) describes itself as “a strategic research collaboration between independent research institutes and the University of Oslo”. The centre conducts a shared scientific strategy and research programme involving about 500 researchers in the natural and social sciences, technology and economics. Participants in CIENS are: • Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO) studies and advises on national and international issues related to climate change and climate policy. • the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (met.no) carries out government-funded R&D in the development and improvement of operational models, tasks related to environmental emergency services, and general climate research. • the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR), an interdisciplinary social science centre for urban and regional research, also works internationally in such fields as planning, land use and urban development and environmental and development issues.

2 • the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) conducts environmental research with emphasis on the sources of airborne pollution, atmospheric transport, transformation and deposition and is also involved in the assessment of the effects of pollution on ecosystems, human health and materials. • the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norway’s leading institution for applied ecological research, is responsible for long-term strategic research and commissioned applied research to facilitate the implementation of the relevant international conventions, decision-support systems and management tools, and to enhance public awareness and promote conflict resolution. • the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) is Norway’s leading multidisciplinary research institute in the field of use and protection of water bodies and water quality, in fresh and marine waters. • the Norwegian Centre for Transport Research (TOI) is a national institution for research and development covering most of the current major issues in road, rail, sea and air transport. • the University of Oslo (UiO), in particular the Department of Geosciences, covers a very broad spectrum of subjects in natural geography, geology, geophysics, hydrology, meteorology and oceanography. Many of its

research activities are connected with the environmental sciences. • the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) is an associate member, and is responsible for ensuring consistent and environmentally sound management of water resources, promoting an efficient energy market and cost-effective energy systems, and contributing to the economic utilization of energy. A similar-but-different kind of networking − and consultancy − is the concern of Green Business Norway, a professional organization for companies in the environmental energy and technology sector, which promotes R&D, funding and capital for innovative projects and enterprises. Its membership is recruited from businesses involved in products with environmental and environment-friendly profiles, including sustainable environmental and energy technology, recycling, and environmental and energy consulting. Green Business Norway provides its members with information and advice on new ventures, innovation and export, and helps with planning and conducting meetings, seminars and other arrangements. It also aims to serve as a catalyst for project development involving member companies.

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3 3

Biodiversity

and conservation Norway is blessed with a wide variety of natural habitats and a sparse human population. Only relatively recently has the way we use our environment begun to threaten some of these habitats and the species they support, and to impoverish the countryside. The message of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was opened for signature at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, was that we must deal with the underlying causes of such threats. The most important of these are the destruction of habitats, the introduction of alien species, overexploitation and pollution. Norway ratified the Convention in July 1993.

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“Biological diversity” or “biodiversity” are words we now use to describe variation at all levels in the natural world, from ecosystems and habitats to species, including variation within each species (genetic diversity). Although truly untouched wilderness hardly exists in Norway any longer, we still come closer to that pristine state, particularly in upland and mountain regions and in the north, than many other European countries. However, river deltas in low-lying areas of southern Norway are just one example of Norwegian habitats under serious threat from intensive use and overexploitation.

Land use is the most important negative factor in Norway, especially forestry and agricultural activities, but also destruction of natural habitats by heavy industry, road-building, housing developments, etc. Pollution and climate change also put significant pressure on biological diversity. In the coastal waters and oceans, the most important environmental pressures are overexploitation (including fish farming) and pollution. The introduction of alien species is a growing problem.

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The Red List Almost 4,000 species have been placed on the Norwegian Red List of threatened species of fauna and flora. Roughly half of these are woodland species, while about a third are associated with agricultural landscapes.

At national level, Norway has adopted the principle that all sectors must take responsibility for their impact on biological diversity, and the government is acting on many fronts to safeguard plants and animals. Valuable habitats, areas and species have been protected; more recently, the focus has been on legislation aimed at restricting or banning specific activities. In the meantime, some previously declining species are recovering thanks to tighter hunting and fishing regulations and to reductions in hazardous chemicals and other pollutants entering the environment. Conditions are improving in acidified habitats, where fish and other animals are slowly returning to some rivers and lakes that have been lifeless for many years. The Wildlife Act of 1981 introduced the principle that all mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians and their eggs, nests and lairs are protected: hunting is only permitted in cases where hunting seasons have been specified. Many species had been protected long before this, because their populations were seriously depleted: for example, the Arctic fox Alopex lagopus was protected as early as 1930. The Wildlife Act also regulates hunting of many species in order to maintain stocks and provide a surplus that can be harvested.

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An Act relating to salmonids and fresh-water fish is intended to ensure that populations and their habitats are managed so as to maintain natural diversity and productivity. Other relevant legislation includes the Nature Conservation Act, the Planning and Building Act, the Forestry Act, the Pollution Control Act, the Gene Technology Act and the Penal Code, which contains a general clause on environmental crime.

International cooperation to deal with environmental problems has also become more and more extensive during the past 100 years, and is now considered essential. Norway has signed a number of international agreements on nature conservation that involve commitments to safeguard threatened species. As well as the Biological Diversity Convention, these include, the Bern Convention, the Bonn Convention, CITES and the Ramsar Convention. The government has also agreed to contribute up to a billion dollars to reduce deforestation in the Amazon, making Norway the first contributor to Brazil’s new Amazon Fund. The United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, describing the move as “a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives” and urging nations “to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth”. Maritime matters As a maritime nation, Norway has always considered its famously productive fisheries industry a vital part of its economy and culture. Modern Norwegian resource management pursues a policy of long-term sustainable harvesting based on the best scientific advice available and relying heavily on the precautionary principle, according to which measures to protect habitats or species against certain threats are justifiable even if scientific evidence confirming those threats is not yet complete. Norway’s Institute of Marine Research is one of the largest such institutions in the world. Its pioneering work in the study of cold-water coral reefs has caused something of a scientific sensation in recent years.

Cultural heritage One approach to conservation that has grown in importance involves the concept of “cultural heritage”, variously defined in terms of social and historical forces which have left their mark on the landscape or in other ways impacted − usually but not necessarily positively − on the natural environment. This can include the built environment and can cover anything from farmlands or sites of archaeological importance to abandoned mining settlements, historic buildings and neighbourhoods, coastal communities or even entire towns and cities. Norway’s strict Cultural Heritage Act, dating from 1978, focuses on landscapes associated with a wide range of sites: prehistoric graves, Viking ruins, churches, monasteries, farms, etc.

climate change will be noticeable first in the Arctic and alpine areas, and it is there that the biggest changes will be seen. Infertile areas poor in species will be particularly vulnerable to global warming.

Climate change affecting Norwegian flora and fauna in future will, according to SOE, be an increase in precipitation and a rise in temperature levels. Warm spells in the winter months could frost damage plants. ”It is likely that global warming will lead to an increase in biodiversity in Norway. New species will establish in areas that were previously covered by snow, such as hardwood forests and the species of birds and insects that reside there,” it states.

Norway has also signed the Council of Europe’s European Landscape Convention, which, according to its Preamble, recognizes cultural heritage as “an important part of the quality of life for people everywhere: in urban areas and in the countryside, in degraded areas as well as in areas of high quality, in areas recognised as being of outstanding beauty as well as everyday areas”. Many cultural heritage issues are therefore a matter of national, regional or local planning and building legislation.

The Nature Index The Norwegian Government has started up a Nature Index for Norway to calculate the condition of different types of nature. Tests are going on in mid-Norway. While the nature index is based on the Natural Capital Index, there are new features such as the integration of uncertainty and the use of expert judgements and data within the same index. Marine ecosystems are also included. Data on species gathered through the water frame directive and marine commercial fish stocks and forestry are also included in the index. Themes such as major habitats, species groups and the effect of humans on biodiversity are also planned.

Climate change and habitat destruction According to State of the Environment Norway (SOE, under the Ministry of the Environment), climate change will probably replace habitat destruction as the biggest threat to biological diversity. It says studies show that

The Nature Index for Norway is planned to be an essential tool to monitor the overall trend. It will also form a basis for comparing natural habitats and districts, and can be used for setting management goals. International comparisons should also be facilitated by the index.

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4 4

Climate

change

4 Climate change − in particular, global warming − has become the top environmental concern of the new century for many governments and individuals, particularly in industrialized countries. Unless we can reduce certain emissions we risk major changes in our global climate. Such changes might well occur faster than natural ecosystems could adapt, with serious environmental and socioeconomic consequences. Changes in regional temperature and in rainfall patterns would alter conditions for farming, possibly reducing food production and agricultural income. Extreme weather phenomena might become more frequent and more violent, and our health would suffer as diseases such as malaria spread to new regions with the rising temperatures. Rising sea levels would drown low-lying land and increase the risk of flooding. Many of the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems lie near the coast, and in most countries the population centres − and economic hubs − tend to be concentrated in coastal zones. Because there are large natural variations in climate, it is difficult to determine the extent to which climate change is caused by human activities. But the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has argued that emissions due to human activities continue to alter the atmosphere in ways that are expected to affect the climate, mainly by the generation and emission of a range of “greenhouse gases”, which are thought to trap the radiant heat of the sun within the atmosphere just as glass raises the interior temperature of the greenhouse.

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4 The majority of the IPCC’s scenarios assume continued growth in emissions of carbon dioxide, the most important greenhouse gas, for most of the 21st century. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will thus continue to rise, and average temperatures with them, until at least 2050. In these circumstances, Norway would experience warmer winters, particularly in the northern and inland areas, while coastal and northern areas would be most affected by increased precipitation. In general, the Norwegian climate would change towards a more coastal weather pattern with less seasonal variation. Large areas of open mountain would probably become forested, and cultivation of cereals and other crops that need a warmer climate would be possible at higher latitudes than at present. On the other hand, farmers would have to deal with more kinds of plant diseases and insect pests. Fisheries might be affected by migration of key species. A warmer climate could also disrupt traditional reindeer herding in the far north.

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Changes in rain and snowfall patterns would affect recreational activities and tourism. New areas might become vulnerable to avalanches and landslides. If the Arctic sea ice were to retreat, parts of the far north would become more accessible for industrial activities such as

oil drilling and shipping, and to tourism − all of which would put additional strains on the environment. There is still a great deal of uncertainty as to the most likely impact of regional changes in climate: indeed, in the past year or two the entire concept of global warming has come under fire from an increasingly influential minority of sceptics questioning the science, and in some cases the motives, behind the growth of what has become a multibillion-dollar “climate change industry”. The ozone layer In recent decades, man-made chemicals have broken down some of the ozone in the stratospheric ozone layer. Depletion of the ozone layer allows larger doses of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach the surface of the earth and increases the risk of skin cancer and infectious diseases. Almost 200 countries have signed the 1987 Montreal Protocol, in which they agreed to phase out the use of substances that deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer is still being depleted, but recent measurements suggest that concentrations of ozonedepleting substances in the atmosphere have peaked and begun to drop. Consumption of these substances is dropping rapidly in Norway and in the world as a whole, and concentrations in the atmosphere are expected to be

4 back to the 1980 level by 2050. The ozone layer is expected to recover significantly by 2060-2075 above Antarctica and around 2050 elsewhere. The greenhouse effect may, however, disturb this process. Ozone-depleting substances are among the so-called “industrial” or “F” gases − synthetic fluorine compounds known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) − controlled under the Kyoto Protocol along with CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). It is the last four of these gases which contribute most to the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gas emissions are linked to our reliance on fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. Other major sources are waste dumps, agriculture, and household heating. In Norway, CO2 emissions from transport, industry and petroleum activities are the main culprits. During the 1990s, transport and petroleum emissions rose substantially while industrial emissions remained more or less stable, mainly because the increased CO2 emissions were counterbalanced by reduced emissions of other greenhouse gases. The practical measures and policy instruments needed to limit emissions of greenhouse gases are often more wide-reaching than for other types of pollution: partly because levels of carbon dioxide emissions are closely related to general economic

development, and partly because there is currently no practical means of removing CO2 from industrial and other emissions. As a result, the way policy instruments are applied frequently involves a compromise between environmental and other interests. In 2011, Norwegian emissions of greenhouse gases amounted to 53,4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents, 2,1 per cent less than in 2010. Controlling emissions The national instruments used to control greenhouse emissions reflect the natural complexity of the issue which affects all walks of life. In addition to traditional pollution permits under the Pollution Control Act, the Norwegian authorities now use a range of different regulations, economic measures and incentives, many of which are “works in progress” and subject to change in response to political pressures. Most instruments still focus on technical measures, both national and international, since this is the most realistic way to achieve results in the short and medium term. A more lasting solution to the climate change issue, however, would probably demand more fundamental instruments with a far-reaching impact on how large parts of society are organized.

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The Pollution Control Act has generally been used to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases other than CO2. The environmental authorities have also negotiated voluntary agreements with various sectors of industry to limit emissions. In order to promote the development of more environment-friendly and energy-efficient technology, various grant schemes and collaborative frameworks have been established. At local level, the government encourages the drafting of “action plans” based on planning regulations to reduce emissions. A global environmental problem like climate change can only be mitigated by binding international cooperation. Such cooperation is mandated through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which provides the framework for the Kyoto Protocol, and the IPCC, which has a central role in scientific research. KLIF reported in June 2011 that emissions of CO2 and NOx from petroleum activities were relatively stable. Discharges to the sea of produced water and oil have not changed much in the last few years. The authorities and the oil industry are in agreement that there are too many accidental discharges on the Norwegian shelf. The operators are working to reduce the number, according to the agency.

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Acid rain The expression “acid rain” first came into widespread public use during the late sixties and early seventies as a useful short-hand description − especially in newspaper headlines − of a certain kind of air pollution and its effects on the environment. Acidification begins when fossil fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas are burned, as in power stations, factories or motor cars, releasing sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Chemical reactions in the atmosphere transform these compounds into dilute forms of sulphuric or nitric acid, which may then travel very long distances, often from one country to another. The acids are deposited not only as rain, but also as snow, mist, fog, invisible gases, or dust particles. Anthropogenic (man-made) emissions of sulphur dioxide are primarily the result of burning fossil fuels in industry and in shipping and other mobile sources. By far the largest sources of sulphur emissions in Europe are coal-fired power plants, direct oil heating and maritime traffic. About 60 per cent of all such emissions in Europe originate from power plants that burn fossil fuel, and about 20 per cent from energy use in industrial processes and manufacturing industries, especially the metallurgical industry. Much of the southern half of Norway still suffers damage caused by acid rain, in particular the acidification of fresh water in lakes and rivers. Acid rain has wiped out salmon in a number of rivers; entire fish populations have been lost and others are endangered. Even though the deposition of acid rain over Norway has been dramatically reduced since 1980, it appears to be taking many years to repair the damage to aquatic animals and plants. On the whole, Norwegian forests appear to have tolerated sulphur and nitrogen deposition without serious effects. After a decrease in the vitality of the forests during the 1990s, conditions have improved, and in more recent years the health of Norwegian forests has been stable. Damage to fish stocks and forests results in heavy economic losses, as do the corrosive effects of acid rain on buildings, sculptures, rock art and other aspects of our cultural heritage. Acidification therefore has serious consequences for society as a whole. Annual emissions reducing Since acid rain is no respecter of national borders, the answer has been to join forces to reduce overall European emissions of sulphur and nitrogen. Most countries in Europe are signatories to the 1979

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Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, which means they have undertaken to reduce their emissions of acidifying substances. Several binding protocols have been adopted under the Convention, including two on sulphur emissions in 1985 and 1994, and another on emissions of nitrogen oxides in 1988. A rise in nitrogen oxide emissions in 1999 caused Norway to exceed the limit set in the NOx protocol for the first time. In the same year, a new Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone, known as the Gothenburg Protocol, was signed. This sets limits for emissions of several substances including sulphur and nitrogen in Europe up to 2010. The protocol was amended in 2012 to include new reduction commitments to be achieved in 2020 and beyond. Latest figures from Statistics Norway show that the emissions of NOx and ammonia in 2011 both exceeded Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obligations, as set out in the Gothenburg Protocol. A new revision of agricultural ammonia emissions by the statistics bureau means that 2011 NH3 emissions are now recorded as 14 per cent above the ceiling level, though still 1.9 per cent down on the previous year. NOx emissions fell by 3.8 per cent compared with 2010. Emissions of both sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOC), however, remained within the target.

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In 2008 the government signed an agreement with 14 large employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organisations exempting member companies from an unpopular tax on NOx emissions in return for voluntary cuts and annual contributions of NOK 500 million to a new fund to invest in reduction measures, known as the NOX Fund. The three-year deal, primarily involving the shipping, fisheries and offshore petroleum sectors, was expected to reduce annual emissions by about 30,000 tonnes by the end of 2011. Those obligations were broadly met. An extension of the agreement to 2017, and covering a total of 15 business organisations, was agreed and came into effect on 1 January 2011.

Urban aromatics At local level, air pollution is primarily a problem in urban areas. The most important components of local air pollution are particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene (C6H6) and other aromatic compounds. The health risks associated with the various substances that make up local air pollution depend on their concentrations and on the length of time people are exposed to them. In the largest towns, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM10) are currently thought to pose the most serious risks to health. Exposure to these substances can result in a higher frequency of various types of respiratory complaints; particulates can also cause cardiovascular disease. SO2 can cause lung disease, and can affect both asthmatics and otherwise healthy people. Benzene and other aromatic compounds, such as PAHs, may be carcinogenic. Carbon monoxide (CO) reduces the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen and can cause headaches, nausea and problems for heart patients. Lead levels are no longer a serious problem today, but lead can affect the nervous system, reproduction, and the formation of haemoglobin in the body, and can cause cancer.

Air quality better, but not good enough As recently as 1995, an estimated 700,000 people in Norway were exposed to levels of air pollution posing a risk of injury to health. Within a few years, however, these numbers had been reduced dramatically â&#x2C6;&#x2019; by up to 80 per cent in Oslo.

Although it is clear that local air quality has improved since the 1990s, there are still problems especially in the major towns and cities. National targets for particulate matter (PM10) and sulphur dioxide have not been universally achieved. The social costs of health damage and other adverse effects of local air pollution run into the billions, although such calculations are rather hazy because the effects at low concentrations are very uncertain and it is difficult to put a price on premature death. And of course local air pollution also injures animals and plants. NO2 and SO2 both contribute to acidification and eutrophication of lakes and rivers, while CO and NO2 are involved in the formation of ground-level ozone, which can damage vegetation and some materials, much as SO2 can corrode buildings and other structures. Ozone also rises Ground-level ozone is caused by the reaction of bright sunlight with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides. In the past hundred years concentrations have doubled as the result of long-range transport from other European countries. In Norway, high levels of ozone occur locally only in the summer and usually for only a few hours or days. Typically, the recommended air quality thresholds are exceeded on several occasions each year. The problem is again greatest in southern Norway. High ozone levels can cause discomfort and ill health, particularly during hot spells. Local air pollution is generated by stationary sources such as housing and commercial or industrial buildings, or mobile sources, mainly road traffic. Measured by annual emissions, the latter is by far the dominant source.

Emission standards for road vehicles are constantly being tightened, and fuel (petrol and diesel) quality is being steadily improved. Emissions from road traffic can also be reduced by changing to alternative types of fuel, such as gas, biodiesel, hydrogen or electricity, and by discouraging the use of studded winter tyres, which release particulates as they erode the road surface.

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Measures to control pollution caused by road traffic are designed to reduce the volume either of traffic or of emissions. Traffic-reduction measures are most effective if several are used in concert â&#x2C6;&#x2019; for instance a combination of road pricing and parking restrictions together with improvements in public transport in towns and urban areas. Another approach is to make more active use of the Planning and Building Act when siting commercial and industrial enterprises and residential areas. This can help to reduce overall transport needs and encourage a changeover to more environment-friendly forms of transport. The National Policy Guidelines for coordinated land-use and transport planning are helpful here.

Lower speed limits Acute measures are restrictions that can be imposed on days when high pollution levels are forecast. In the largest towns and cities, the public road authorities and local authorities are responsible for introducing such measures, generally involving lower speed limits on main roads. 33

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4 In the winter months, emissions from wood-burning stoves also make a substantial contribution to emissions of particulate matter: on cold days in some areas this can be the dominant source of particulates. New wood-burning stoves sold since 1 July 1997 must meet legal standards for emissions of particulates. Oslo has also introduced a scheme of partial refunds to encourage the replacement of older stoves with new low-emission models. Other important sources of local air pollution are industrial emissions and long-range transport of pollution from other European countries. In addition to the European Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, an EU Directive on emissions to air from large combustion plants is intended to control this problem, as is the ambitious national emission ceilings (NEC) directive. Various guidelines and statutory limit values have been adopted to improve local air quality. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Climate and Pollution Agency have drawn up recommended air quality guidelines for a number of pollutants based on international research indicating the levels at which health effects may begin to appear. National targets for air quality have been set for several specific pollutants based on socio-economic as well as public health considerations. Statutory limit values for particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide and lead are set out in the Norwegian Regulations relating to pollution control, based on EU directives for local air pollution.

Problematic conditions Occasionally environmental policy-makers have to deal with problems that are not â&#x2C6;&#x2019; for a change â&#x2C6;&#x2019; man-made, but simply a result of natural conditions.

In most cases the soil and rock underneath the buildings is the source; the gas is sucked into the buildings because of small differentials in air pressure, which tends to be lower inside. Indoor radon is estimated to cause 300 cases of lung cancer in Norway each year. The WHO identifies radon as the second most important cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Local authorities in Norway are required to maintain an overview of the radon problem in their area. They are also required to ensure that radon levels remain below the intervention level in their buildings, e.g. schools, day care centres, municipal buildings and workplaces. Once high radon levels have been confirmed by track-etch detectors, long-term monitors and the like, remedial measures usually involve the installation of mini-ventilation systems to equalize the air pressure. An added bonus is that such systems also save energy while improving all-round air quality.

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A classic example is radon, a radioactive inert gas that is formed when uranium breaks down. According to the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Norway is among the countries in the world where indoor radon reaches its highest concentrations: about 10 per cent of Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing stock has a radon concentration higher than 200 Bq/m3.

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5 5

Energy

renewables at the fore

5 In the 2013 National Budget, the government proposed an 11.4 per cent rise in the Ministry of the Environment’s budget. The Research Council of Norway will have NOK 400 million for climate-related research in 2013, not including funding for the new national fund for climate change mitigation, renewable energy and energy conversion. In addition, the government has allocated NOK 630 million to purchase emissions credits (carbon offsets). The government is giving priority to boosting renewable and non-polluting transport solutions, partly through Transnova, which has been confirmed as a permanent body. It will support the continuing development and promotion of electric vehicles and climate-friendly transport of goods. Under the terms of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive 2009, which Norway has agreed to meet, the country must boost the share of renewable energy in its gross final energy consumption to 67.5 per cent by 2020. This represents an increase of 6.4 percentage points from 2010 and means that two-thirds of Norway’s 2020 energy consumption must come from renewable sources, a far higher proportion than in any EU country. Related to this goal, a common Norwegian-Swedish market for electricity certificates was established on 1 January 2012. Norway and Sweden have a combined goal of setting up a total of 26.4 TWh of new electricity production from renewable energy sources by 2020. Norway and Sweden are each responsible for financing 13.2 TWh of renewable ’green’ energy in the certificate system, irrespective of the amount of production that is actually located in each of the two countries. A leading role In Norway, as elsewhere in the West, the energy sector has been dominated for the past several years by issues of climate change and the perceived need to reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions.

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Addressing the Oslo Energy Forum in 2012, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg outlined the government’s energy programme and priorities. He said the world needed more energy to lift millions of people out of poverty and that without energy, there would be no development or economic growth. He added that greenhouse gas emissions are increasing at an accelerating pace and hit record levels in 2010. “By 2050 the global population will increase by 50 per cent,” he told his audience. “In the same period, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 per cent. And according to the International Energy Agency, global energy demand is expected to increase by 50 per cent by 2035 if we continue our current policies.

“This illustrates our main challenge: to ensure universal access to energy for a growing population, to alleviate poverty and secure economic growth, while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We cannot choose between the environment and economic growth. We cannot choose between energy and reducing emissions.” The introduction of a carbon tax In Norway in 1991 was the single most important measure to reduce CO2 emissions from the upstream petroleum sector, he went on. In 2013 around 80 per cent of Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions will be regulated by the emissions trading system or carbon tax, according to Mr Stoltenberg. Carbon capture and storage is another important area for Norway, he said. He admitted it is costly and difficult, adding: “But we must succeed. We cannot afford not to. Carbon capture and storage could reduce energy-related emissions globally by around 20 per cent.”

Energy efficiency Another way to cut emissions is, of course, to encourage energy savings and the development of alternative and renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, hydrogen or biofuels, and to discourage if not prohibit more polluting conventional technologies. Accordingly, a subsequent 2012 White Paper on climate change policy agreed that Enova, previously set up to promote the environmentally friendly restructuring of energy consumption and energy generation, should be the basis for the new climate and energy fund, intended to develop greenhouse gas emissions-reducing technology. The fund’s 2013 capital of NOK 35 billion will be gradually increased to NOK 50 billion in 2016. The government also gave a commitment that plug-in hybrid cars would be given access to charging facilities, and that existing tax-relief for electric vehicles would continue until 2017. It also undertook to promote development of the value chain for secondgeneration biofuel.

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Mr Stoltenberg outlined the thinking on how renewable energy has an important role to play in a low carbon society. “Norway produces a large amount of hydropower, as the fifth largest producer globally. We aim to further increase our production of renewable energy through market-based systems, in cooperation with Sweden. Norwegian hydropower has the potential to support solar and wind power in northern Europe. Today, electricity cables from Norway to Denmark provide Danish wind turbines with balancing capacity from Norwegian hydropower plants.”

Energy use in Norway has always been relatively high − hardly surprising, given our cold climate and the need for transport over long distances. Our abundant reserves of 39

5 cheap, non-polluting hydropower have resulted in a long tradition of high electricity consumption, and have provided little incentive for energy efficiency or the development of alternative energy sources. Electricity consumption per person in Norway is almost certainly the highest of any country in the world. However, as most of the available hydropower capacity has been developed, any further rise in consumption must be met by fossil fuels or other energy sources. Enova, Gassnova and CCS Enova, the government energy agency, was launched in 2002 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (OED) to promote and fund “environmentally sound and rational use and production of energy, relying on financial instruments and incentives to stimulate market actors and mechanisms to achieve national energy policy goals”. Measures to improve energy efficiency and save energy, for example in the construction and operation of buildings, are complemented by policies aimed at increasing flexibility in the energy supply, reducing dependence on direct electricity for heating, and boosting the share of renewable energy sources other than large hydropower in the energy supply mix. Typical strategies include increasing the use of water-based central heating using new renewable energy sources, heat pumps and waste heat; encouraging wind power development, and making more environment-friendly use of natural gas. In 2005 the OED created another agency, Gassnova, “to promote innovative, sustainable and cost-effective gas technologies”. Gassnova acts jointly with the Research Council of Norway as manager of the CLIMIT programme for natural gas power generation with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

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Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is central to the Norwegian government’s policy on energy and climate change. A major element of this was the construction of a full-scale CO2 capture plant at the Mongstad refinery on the western coast of Norway, opened in May 2012 by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ola Borten Moe. “There is no solution to the challenges presented by climate change which does not incorporate carbon capture and storage,” said the PM.

As many other countries are directing considerable scientific resources towards advances in coal power, the programme’s remit has also been expanded to include fossil fuel-based energy in general. The three main targets for Norwegian energy policy are: • be carbon neutral by 2030. • undertake to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 30 to 40 per cent of 1990 emissions by 2020. The 40 per cent level was “conditional on a global and comprehensive agreement after 2012”, which was not achieved. The extension at Doha of the Kyoto commitments from 2012 to 2020 so far covers only Europe and Australia. • strengthen Norway’s Kyoto commitment to between 81 and 84% of its 1990 levels. In December 2010, Gassnova announced funding for the first project focusing on industrial emissions. It runs a programme for power generation with Carbon Capture and Storage (CLIMIT), managed in cooperation with the Research Council of Norway. CLIMIT describes itself as “a unique range of instruments... integrated in the entire chain from early research via pilots to demonstration”. In its 2012 annual report, CLIMIT said that in 2011 in total NOK 170.2 million was allocated to CLIMIT projects. Of this NOK 75.3 million went via CLIMIT Demo and NOK 94.9 million through CLIMIT R&D. Funding covered a wide spectrum of projects in different disciplines within CCS.

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5 Research centres Another major player is the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), an independent foundation established in 1948. With a staff of about 550, IFE’s many areas of activity include research and development in eco-friendly technologies for oil and gas production, power generation and supply, and energy use; current emphasis is on developing “a more climate-friendly energy system based on renewable and CO2-free energy sources”. In 2005, IFE joined forces with the SINTEF Group, the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim to form the Centre for Renewable Energy (SFFE). In January 2011 it was announced that the University in Oslo (UiO), Department of Mathematics and Physics, had joined.

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April 2010 saw the official opening of a new centre for research, CEER, into CO2 storage headed by Christian Michelsen Research (CMR). CMR said a general challenge is to make long-term predictions about sub-surface storage security so CO2 does not leak from storage into oceans or atmosphere. While a lot of effort is being made to develop technology for CO2 capture, it believes there is even greater need for knowledge on long-term storage of CO2.

RENERGI and ENERGIX The RENERGI-programme – ‘Clean Energy for the Future’ - was established by the Research Council of Norway to focus on “environment-friendly, economically efficient and effective management of the country’s energy resources, a highly reliable energy supply and internationally competitive industrial development related to the energy sector”. The programme has financed about 500 R&D projects in its ten years. The programme was concluded in 2012. Its successor ENERGIX “will provide funding for research on renewable energy, efficient use of energy, energy systems and energy policy. The programme encompasses technological, natural science, social science and humanities-related research and development activities.” Energi21, Norway’s national strategy for the energy sector, gives broad support to and prioritisation for the ENERGIX organisation. In addition, as of 2013, RENERGIX focuses on: transport; energy market and policy; energy efficiency; and bioenergy. In 2009, no fewer than eight new national centres for environment-friendly energy research were set up with funding from the government and the Research Council in aid of “a strong effort in some selected areas of renewable energy research and CCS”. Three more were added in 2011. Total budget for 2012 was NOK 18.75 million. This project is expected to be concluded in 2015. • BIGCCS Centre – International CCS Research Centre • Centre for Environmental Design of Renewable Energy (CEDREN) • Bioenergy Innovation Centre (CenBio) • Norwegian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (NORCOWE) • Norwegian Research Centre for Offshore Wind Technology (NOWITECH) • The Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology

• SUbsurface CO2 Storage – Critical Elements and Superior Strategy (SUCCESS) • The Research Centre on Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB) • Centre for Sustainable Energy Studies (CenSES). • Strategic Challenges in International Climate and Energy Policy (CICEP). • Oslo Center for Research on Environmentally friendly Energy (CREE) The research centres will study the interactions between technology and society and will examine Norway’s energy policy challenges from a social science perspective. The centres are to “develop effective solutions for environment-friendly energy production and increase Norwegian expertise in the field”, the Research Council said. “In the long run they will also stimulate new industrial activity and create new jobs.” Rich in renewable energy resources Norway is rich in renewable energy resources such as wind, solar power and bioenergy, as well as energy from the ocean such as wave energy, energy from salt gradients and tidal energy. The resources are vast, so the challenges are mainly commercial and technological when it comes to producing power at competitive prices. Commercially, the need is to identify market niches and mechanisms that will make it possible to develop new technologies and introduce them to the market, and to compete at the international level on the basis of technological or market-related competence. Internationalization raises the need to rank priorities even more strictly than before to create a platform for research groups and competitive products. On the technological level, development associated with silicon as the basis for solar cells has, as we have seen, turned out to represent a successful marriage between Norwegian raw materials and competence. Norway may also enjoy advantages when it comes to adapting renewable energy technology to the harsh climate. For example, wind power technology has made considerable headway, but there is still room for new products and services related to the use of wind turbines in Arctic environments, offshore, etc. Wind power In terms of percentage increase in yearly installed capacity, wind power is one of the fastest growing energy technologies worldwide. The potential for wind power in Norway is vast, in terms of energy generation and in profits for Norwegian companies benefiting from the development of wind power as subcontractors and wind turbine manufacturers. After a relatively slow start, wind development in Norway now looks well on the way to fulfilling the potential for the industry − especially the potential of deep sea offshore wind turbine technology, combining wind technology with Norway’s invaluable offshore know-how to enhance the development of offshore wind farms. Norwegian wind power, further boosted by the growth of new markets for tradable green certificates, will clearly be a force to reckon with.

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5 Solar energy According to the Centre for Renewable Energy (SFFE), the amount of solar energy which reaches the earth each year corresponds to more than 10,000 times the world’s total energy consumption. Covering just 0.4 per cent of the country with solar cells could provide Norway with 120 TWh annually, it says. In theory, it is therefore possible that solar cells could supply all of Norway’s electricity consumption, provided there is a good way to store energy for utilization at night or in cloudy weather. Silicon is the dominant material in solar cells. Norwegian industry and research institutions have vast experience in the production of silicon, and the Norwegian metals and materials group Elkem is one of the largest producers. Elkem Silicon Materials is one of the world’s leading suppliers of metallurgical silicon. In addition, the silicone industry is a major part of Elkem’s silicon sales . SFFE says that solar cells represent a small part of global electricity production, but at locations where it is expensive to connect to the grid they are cost efficient. In Norway a good example is the utilization of solar panels in cabins. These panels have been installed in Norwegian cabins at remote locations for more than 20 years. Solar cells are still expensive, but costs are expected to fall as production efficiency increases. The Centre says it expects electricity prices from photovoltaic solar cells to be competitive by 2030. Hydrogen technology Among the most promising new technologies is the use of hydrogen as a flexible energy carrier and as a means of reducing undesirable emissions. Hydrogen technology will also make possible the utilization of local energy sources and improve the security of supply. With almost a century’s experience in industrial hydrogen production, both from renewable sources and fossil fuels − and large natural gas resources which could be a main source for large-scale hydrogen production − Norway is well placed to exploit this exciting potential. One of the most spectacular achievements in this field to date has been the creation of the world’s first autonomous hydrogen society in the unlikely form of ten households on the tiny island of Utsira, off the south-western tip of the Norwegian mainland. Here excess wind power is harnessed to produce hydrogen through an electrolyzer; the gas is stored in pressurized containers for later use in an engine and fuel cell, which generate electricity when the wind turbine slows or stops.

Hydropower Interestingly, energy-related CO2 emissions have not risen at the same rate as economic growth in Norway because such a large proportion of the demand for electricity is met by hydropower. Environmental issues associated with hydropower have tended to centre on local (and often national) resistance to the development of unspoilt natural habitats for electricity generation. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), under the OED, is responsible for the safety of dams and for processing licence applications. The relevant legislation dates all the way back to 12th century provincial laws based on the concept of private rights of ownership, but including restrictions on the types of changes owners were permitted to make, particularly as they might affect fisheries. Naturally enough, Norwegian hydro technology and expertise are a thriving export industry. Bioenergy This source of renewable energy is considered carbon neutral, for although it gives off CO2 when bioenergy fuels such as organic waste and wood chips are incinerated, plant material etc absorb CO2 during their lifetimes and so release it during incineration. Bioenergy for vehicles is on the increase. According to the environmental foundation Bellona, bioenergy is important in the fight against climate change. It says using carbon capture and storage, bioenergy can actually result in negative emissions when it is produced from bioenergy power stations. Bellona points to bioenergy as a suitable replacement for relatively dirty heating oil in Norway.

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Statkraft claims to be the world leader in the development of osmotic power. The energy is based on osmosis, a natural phenomenon in which water passes through a semi-permeable membrane. This is how plants are able to absorb moisture through their leaves – and retain it. When fresh water meets salt water, for instance where a river runs into the sea, enormous amounts of energy are released. This energy can be utilized for the generation of power through osmosis. The world’s first osmotic power plant with capacity of 4 kW was opened by Statkraft in November 2009 in Tofte, Norway. The plant uses polyimide as a membrane, and is able to produce 1W/sq m of membrane. This amount of power is obtained at 10 l of water flowing through the membrane per second, and at a pressure of 10 bar. Both the increasing of the pressure as well as the flow rate of the water would make it possible to increase the power output, according to Statkraft. Statkraft labels osmotic power as clean, renewable energy, with a global potential of 1,600 to 1,700 TWh – equal to China’s total electricity consumption in 2002.

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6 6

Water, water

everywhere

The aim is to minimize cumulative environmental impacts so that “the structure, functioning and productivity of ecosystems and biodiversity are maintained” allowing for “the requirements of human health and welfare”. Accordingly, 2015 is the target date for the completion of “integrated, ecosystem-based management plans” for all Norwegian marine and freshwater areas. Compared with many other countries, Norway has abundant supplies of clean, fresh water. Nevertheless, pollution from various sources can affect water quality in Norwegian lakes and rivers, while hydropower development is an additional threat to watercourses and river systems. Long-range air pollution, as we have seen in the previous chapter, has caused acidification of lakes and rivers, particularly in southern Norway. Eutrophication of fresh water, caused by excessive inputs of nutrients, disturbs ecosystems and is implicated in algal blooms. The accumulation of mercury in freshwater fish gives additional cause for concern.

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Norway’s rivers and lakes and offshore territorial waters are well stocked with fish and other natural resources and are in generally good condition, although increasingly affected by human activity. In this context, the government sees climate change and the rapidly increasing acidification of the sea as major challenges, and has defined as a strategic objective that “Norwegian coastal and marine areas and inland waters will be managed using an integrated, ecosystem-based approach”.

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Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marine environment is also generally clean and healthy, but no less vulnerable to pollution. Coastal waters off southern Norway in particular are affected by discharges from municipal wastewater, agriculture and industry. Long-range pollution arrives via the North Sea, on prevailing winds and in ocean currents. Chemical concerns Hazardous chemicals and heavy metals released by industry have polluted a number of harbours and fjords, in many of which high concentrations of hazardous chemicals in bottom sediments are the result of earlier releases of pollutants from industrial activities and polluted seepage from landfills near the coast. Discharges from aquaculture (fish farming) are increasing, particularly along the coast from Lindesnes, at the southern tip of Norway, to Finnmark in the north. Eutrophication in Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal waters is caused both by discharges from local sources (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus from fish farming) and by long-range transport of pollutants. However, Norwegian discharges of nutrients to the Skagerrak coast, a particular problem area, have been greatly reduced since 1985. Serious discharges of oil and chemicals into the open sea are in a class of their own. Discharges of oil are classified as either acute, i.e. accidental spills, or operational discharges permitted during normal operations. Acute discharges can contaminate and damage valuable coastal habitats, harming seabirds, fish and other marine species, and crippling tourism. Toxic blooms Eutrophication can be a deceptively gradual process. Initially, modest inputs of nutrients may have a positive effect on biodiversity, even boosting the productivity of the affected ecosystem. But a surplus will cause the

ecosystem to accumulate excessive biomass, resulting in massive algae blooms, reduced light penetration and fouling. Reduced light penetration in the water affects the distribution of attached algae and other water plants. Blooms of toxic blue-green algae severely restrict the use of the water. Decomposition of organic matter, either from increased biological production or inputs from human activities, will also deplete the oxygen, especially in deep, still waters where little circulation occurs. Once oxygen levels are low, phosphates and other salts will leak out of the bottom sediments, reinforcing the eutrophication process. In extreme situations, the water will contain toxic hydrogen sulphide gas, causing fish to die and bottom areas to rot: Bunnefjorden, at the innermost part of the Oslofjord, is a case in point. Nutrient run-offs from agriculture and municipal drains are often a health hazard, as such sources routinely contain fresh excrement from livestock or man carrying pathological bacteria, viruses or parasites. In Norway the eutrophication of fresh water tends to occur in low-lying areas, particularly near settlements and agricultural land. Freshwater eutrophication is a problem in the Oslofjord area, the lowlands of eastern Norway, Stavanger and the plain of JĂŚren, the Trondheimsfjord, and parts of Nordland county. These areas are either densely populated or subject to intensive agricultural or dairy industries. Nutrient surpluses originating domestically also affect marine habitats in coastal areas such as fjords and skerries, while offshore the entire Skagerrak region is seriously affected by discharges and emissions of nutrients and organic material from the major Continental river systems far beyond Norwegian territorial limits. Inputs of nitrogen via acid rain further aggravate the nutrient surplus.

The expansion of the fish farming industry has resulted in large increases in discharges of nutrients over the past 20 years. The fish farming industry is now the largest source of man-made discharges of nutrients in Norway, and increases in discharges to the Norwegian coast are mainly attributable to the expansion of that sector. In addition to fish farming, the major Norwegian sources of nutrients and organic materials are agriculture, municipal wastewater and industry. Along the coast from the Swedish border to Lindesnes at the southern tip of Norway, discharges of phosphorus and nitrogen have been progressively reduced. Agriculture and municipal wastewater are the main sources of discharges of nutrients along the Skagerrak coast â&#x2C6;&#x2019; where there is no fish farming. Greenhouse crop production is a vital part of the agricultural sector in Norway, where the variety of crops that can be grown in the field is limited by the short growing season and special climatic conditions. Closed recycling systems for this method of cultivation can reduce the total consumption of water and nutrient materials while

preventing the release of pollutants into river systems and ground water. Although the main cause of eutrophication in Norwegian lakes is assumed to be agricultural run-off, added inputs of nitrogen through acid rain can increase the growth of plants and algae in some mountain areas. In and around the Oslofjord, kelp no longer grows below certain depths, probably as the result of reduced light penetration caused by algae suspended in the water. In periods of heavy growth, blooms of green algae close to beaches in the Oslofjord are unpleasant for swimmers and fishermen. It is thought that the most harmful, toxic algae occur more frequently in areas where inputs of nutrients are high. Surveys show that the Norwegian coast, especially from the Swedish border and west to Lindesnes, is periodically affected by long-range pollution as high concentrations of nutrients and organic matter are transported via ocean currents from Continental sources. Studies of organisms living on the sea bed and bottom sediments along the Skagerrak coast suggest that the impact of organic pollution is greater further to the east. Agricultural pollution can occur directly by leakages or spills from manure and silage storage and from livestock and pasture land. Erosion of fertilized fields causes high levels of phosphorus to reach rivers with the displaced soil. Direct leakage from the soil is also an important source of nitrogen contamination.

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Urbanization impacts aquaculture Much of the increase in nutrients in circulation can be traced to the major changes in Norwegian society over the past 50-100 years and the economic developments in more recent decades. More people now live in towns and urban settlements where wastewater can create problems; agricultural production has intensified accordingly, and with it the use of artificial fertilisers â&#x2C6;&#x2019; it is no longer necessary to rely on naturally occurring nutrients, as it was a hundred years ago. More traffic and more industry also mean more emissions of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere, which eventually reach the water system through precipitation or particulates.

Emissions and discharges from population and industry affect both the freshwater and marine environments. Municipal sewer systems generally serve urban areas where the wastewater from households and industry is collected and transported to a wastewater treatment plant

6 before being discharged. In less densely populated areas, as in Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many mountain and seaside cabin resorts, there are often just septic tanks or basic separate treatment facilities, and in some cases unhygienic conditions may occur at the outlet. Industries are generally connected to the municipal sewers or have their own treatment plants.

or accidents. Spills may also occur when facilities are emptied. Although discharges of this kind may be serious on a local scale and cause severe pollution, there is no doubt the largest total discharges of nutrients to water â&#x2C6;&#x2019; and the main cause of long-term pollution problems â&#x2C6;&#x2019; are attributed to run-off.

Run-off due to precipitation and natural processes in the soil and rock is another major source of nutrients. Traditionally, contributions from the atmosphere have been considered part of this background; but much of this input is now thought to be anthropogenic.

More intensive farming can cause the run-off of nutrients to increase, partly because larger quantities of fertilizers are used and larger numbers of animals are kept on each farm. To rationalize farming operations and use the land more intensively, vegetation belts along watercourses are often removed and streams are piped or canalized. Such changes reduce the capacity of the environment to absorb excess nutrients, and can indirectly result in more pollution.

Declarations and directives Under the terms of the North Sea Declarations and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), Norway has undertaken to reduce discharge of nutrients into its coastal waters from the Swedish border to Lindesnes by 50 per cent. The target was initially set for 1995, but neither Norway nor any of our neighbouring countries have come even close to reaching the target for nitrogen. For phosphorus, on the other hand, the target has been reached. Another priority is the reduction of nitrogen runoff along the coast from Hvaler to Singlefjord and inner Oslofjorden. This is a step towards meeting our obligations under EU directives, on purification of wastewater from urban areas and nitrate from agriculture.

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The most important point sources of agricultural discharges are leakages from storage facilities for livestock manure and silage effluent. Leakages may be caused by poor construction, insufficient storage capacity

Regulations have been laid down pursuant to the Pollution Control Act aimed at limiting agricultural discharges of nutrients and minimizing the environmental damage they may cause. Regulations relating to manure and to silage effluent are intended to reduce point discharges from storage facilities and run-off when manure is used on agricultural land, while a regulation relating to the levelling of agricultural land aims to control run-off from areas that have been levelled. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food can also use other regulations (relating to fertilizer management, for example) and grant schemes for encouraging conversion to more environment-friendly cultivation techniques. An earlier programme of grants for technical facilities to improve environmental conditions in agriculture

6 resulted in a considerable reduction in point discharges. The ministry is also responsible for drawing up action programmes under the EU nitrates directive. Nutrients from fish farming Discharges from fish farms are another major local source of nutrients: the same types of nutrients and organic matter as domestic wastewater and discharges from agriculture and certain types of industry, with the same impact on environmental conditions in fjords and coastal waters. Almost all fish farms are located north of the Skagerrak coast, generally using net cages in the sea. Feed spills and fish excrement are simply released into the environment.

at the same locations. The fisheries authoritiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aim is to ensure that fish farming remains a profitable source of livelihood in coastal districts. Restrictions have been introduced on the number of licences that are issued and the quantity of feed a fish farmer is permitted to use per year. Discharges per tonne of fish dramatically reduced Fish farmers themselves are of course interested in producing as much fish as possible at the lowest possible cost. More effective production also benefits the environment. Discharges per tonne of fish produced have been dramatically reduced with the introduction of better quality feed and improved feeding routines.

A small fish farm, producing perhaps 500 tonnes of salmon a year, discharges about the same volume of nutrients as a town of 5,000 to 7,500 people. The greatest impact is local, in the immediate vicinity of each facility. In the worst cases, discharges have caused the sediments and water under a fish farm to â&#x20AC;&#x153;rotâ&#x20AC;?. Fish only thrive where the water quality is good, and grow poorly and become less resistant to disease in polluted localities. Polluted sites therefore have to be abandoned and the fish farms moved. This used to be a major problem both in environmental terms and for the fish farmers themselves.

While discharges of nutrients from industrial and municipal wastewater are reduced by wastewater treatment plants, this is clearly impossible for discharges from fish farming in net pens, and other solutions are required in order to limit the environmental pressure exerted by the industry.

If there are several fish farms in a fjord, their overall discharges may also cause eutrophication. This is not yet a problem in Norway, although it is seen as a risk in some fjords. Now that such risks are understood, industry and authorities are focusing on the development of sustainable fish farming that can be continued indefinitely

During the 1990s, the fish farming industry and feed producers, with support from the programme for cleaner technology run by the Ministry of the Environment, developed new feed types. Modern dry feed pellets can be adapted to the age of the fish and time of year.

Changes in feed quality and feeding routines are one such solution. Previously, fish farmers often used wet feeds based on ground-up fish waste, much of which was not eaten but sank to the bottom and rotted, resulting in large discharges of nutrients and organic matter.

Norwegian Environmental Technology 51

6 Fish farmers have become much more aware that feed losses are both environmentally harmful and wasteful in financial terms, and are therefore paying much greater attention to feeding routines. Systems have been developed to collect feed that sinks through the net pens without being eaten and to stop the supply of food automatically when the fish are no longer eating; alternative systems use underwater cameras that show when the fish have stopped feeding or equipment for collecting fish excrement before it sinks to the bottom. A Norwegian standard for monitoring the immediate environment near fish farms has been drawn up. Observations of the sediment-dwelling fauna (numbers and species) are an important element of such programmes, and must be recorded, as are measurements of water chemistry, (pH, oxygen and carbon content, etc.). According to the standard, measurements must be taken at several sites under and around fish farms, and repeated at regular intervals. The advantage of a monitoring standard is that when all fish farms are monitored in the same way, the results are more readily comparable.

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Oil The oil and gas industry is by far Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest sector. From the start, maintaining effective oil spill

response preparedness and response systems has been a priority for the industry. In recent years, greenhouse gas emissions to air and less dramatic, more routine discharges of oil and of various kinds of chemicals into the sea have also come into sharper focus. The Pollution Control Act of 1981 spells out the duties and obligations of industry, local authorities and central government with regard to acute pollution incidents. KLIF is responsible for a national contingency system; the agency also controls and monitors response operations at all levels, organizes regular training and exercise programmes, and carries out environmental risk analysis. In the event of a major national emergency, the national contingency system operates as a single integrated response organisation. Offshore, the Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies (NOFO) manages a number of oil spill recovery bases for use during clean-up operations. In any incident on the Norwegian Continental Shelf the polluter is responsible for taking all necessary steps to limit the extent of the damage, and to clean up the spilled oil. This unlimited responsibility covers offshore, nearshore, inshore and onshore response. In addition to the oil pollution contingency plan which the operators have jointly established through NOFO, KLIF also requires each individual operator to provide its own emergency resources at the oilfields in event of minor oil

6 spills. This preparedness is also an important front-line resource in the event of major incidents. The Norwegian Oil Spill Control Association NOSCA was founded in 1992 to meet the increasing need for knowledge of oil spill prevention and response. NOSCA members join forces to share their environmental technologies worldwide, assisting other nations, port authorities and private companies to build an effective contingency infrastructure for oil spill preventions and recovery. Water shortages loom Only about three per cent of the world’s water is fresh, and only a small fraction of one per cent of the total is accessible in lakes, rivers and reservoirs − the rest is either frozen in polar ice or out of reach deep underground.

A recent UN report notes that “important decisions affecting water management are made outside the water sector and are driven by external, largely unpredictable forces − forces of demography, climate change, the global economy, changing societal values and norms, technological innovation, laws and customs and financial markets. Many of these external drivers are dynamic, and changes are accelerating.” Interestingly, although a scarcity of water is most unlikely ever to be a problem in Norway, the country has become something of a world leader in water conservation technology. Water-restrictive showers − which also save energy by using a minimum of hot water − are just one example of a Norwegian innovation in this vital field.

The United Nations has warned repeatedly that billions of people, much of the world’s population, will face severe shortages of fresh water in the near future if consumption continues at the present rate. Fierce national competition over water resources will cause violent conflicts or even full-scale wars in the worst-hit regions. Even in Europe, the UN Economic Commission for Europe estimates that at least tens of millions of people still do not have access to clean water and sanitation, and that wasted water is costing Europe billions of dollars a year.

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Norwegian Environmental Technology

7 7

Responsibility

for waste

“Loop” is a useful little word, often used by environmental specialists as shorthand for waste recovery and recycling. The idea is to emulate nature by creating a closed system in which materials and energy are conserved and re-used with a minimum of leakage or loss. A loop, sometimes also known as an “ecocycle”, can never achieve 100 per cent eco-efficiency, but it can certainly generate huge savings in cash and resources while cutting pollution dramatically. Among Norway’s variations on the theme is a professional body that actually calls itself “LOOP”, representing a number of specialist companies operating under special trade agreements with the government to promote eco-friendly collection, disposal and recycling of the various categories of waste. All are organized as membership organizations for manufacturers and importers in their respective fields. These bodies are known as producer responsibility organizations (PROs). Strictly speaking, the principle under which they operate is “extended producer responsibility” − the principle that companies are obliged to ensure that any products and/or packaging in their field are taken back and recycled, re-used or utilized for energy production, the costs of the system being incorporated in the price of the product. A number of fully commercial companies are also involved in the rapidly expanding recycling industry.

According to the regulations, WEEE may be delivered free of charge to municipal waste treatment facilities or to distributors who sell similar products. Distributors are required to take back WEEE and to inform consumers that they do so. The costs of waste collection and treatment are covered by the importers and manufacturers of these products. Proper management of WEEE is a prime example of producer responsibility, shouldered in this case by the businesses that manufacture electrical and electronic equipment or import it to Norway. The producers have set up take-back companies to manage WEEE in accordance with the regulations. In addition, an agreement has been concluded between the producers and the Ministry of the Environment under which the producers undertake to ensure that at least 80 per cent of WEEE is collected and to take steps to reduce the problems associated with WEEE.

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Producer responsibility Thanks in large part to the PROs and their commercial partners, the volume of waste that is recycled has risen − and the proportion going to landfill has declined − dramatically in recent years. In this context, the take-back and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one of the great success stories. This category includes a wide variety of products and appliances, ranging from vacuum cleaners, cookers, televisions, computers and photocopiers to mobile phones, fluorescent lamps, cables and flexes. Most equipment of this kind contains hazardous substances in varying amounts.

Two take-back companies, Renas AS and Elretur AS, were set up to deal with non-consumer WEEE and with electronic equipment and household appliances, respectively. Other take-back companies have been established independently of the agreement with the authorities.

In 2002, the EU adopted a new WEEE Directive. Chapter 1 of Norway’s Waste Regulations incorporates its provisions. The revised regulation entered into force 1 July 2006. From 1 July 2007, take-back companies are required to have approval from the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency based on a certification scheme described in an appendix to Chapter 1 of the Waste Regulations. Every importer and producer of EEE is required to be a member of an approved take-back company. Since 1999 when the take-back system started, the collection rate of WEEE in Norway has risen steadily, to the point where such collections are far exceeding EU targets. After collection, waste equipment is dismantled manually at special facilities. Components that contain hazardous substances are treated as hazardous waste, but as much as possible is recovered. In all, 85 per cent or more of the WEEE collected is re-used, recycled or processed for energy recovery. The rest is landfilled or incinerated without energy recovery.

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Targets and policies Producer responsibility − for packaging, cars, tyres, batteries, lubricant oil and PCB windows as well as waste electrical and electronic equipment − is seen as one of

the most important aspects of Norwegian waste policy, together with tax on final disposal of waste (landfilling and incineration), regulation of landfilling and incineration according to EU legislation, and municipal responsibility for household waste. Another powerful weapon in the armoury is the Pollution Control Act, under which central government sets the general framework for waste management regulation, leaving local authorities and industry with a relatively free hand to design local collection and treatment solutions. Each local authority is required to draw up and re-evaluate regularly a waste management plan. The plan must include “a review of sources of waste, quantities of waste, measures to limit the quantity of waste and measures for sorting, collecting, recycling and final treatment of waste”, plus estimates of income and expenditure. Waste categories, or “fractions”, are most broadly defined as industrial waste, household waste or hazardous waste. Norwegians now generate about 9.9 million tonnes of waste, an increase of 5 per cent from 2010 – but the amount of waste that is sent to recovery is also increasing. Households deliver significant amounts of electrical and electronic waste, like white goods and mobile phones,

to the distributors when buying new goods, or to waste collectors. Such waste is not classified as hazardous in Norway, but contains hazardous components and must be delivered separately. Decline and fall The volume of waste recycled has now risen so much that the amount of waste used as landfill or incinerated is declining despite the rise in the total amount of household waste generated. Additionally, waste volumes from industry have fallen over the last few years, largely as a result of improved production processes and wasteminimizing technology. Economic growth has clearly been a driving force behind escalating waste volumes. Larger homes, higher housing standards, frequent decoration and reconstruction, and

increased spending on furniture and household appliances are typical examples of how affluence generates waste. Our lifestyle also dictates how much waste we produce: a hectic schedule makes disposable products attractive, and buying new products can be more appealing than repair.

Companies in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;loopâ&#x20AC;? see waste as a resource, containing materials and energy that can be profitably recovered in the recycling process. Materials are used to produce new goods, while energy is saved by not using virgin materials: aluminium recycling is a good example of this process. Organic waste can be used for energy recovery or as compost. If the waste is not landfilled, but used to replace fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions are further reduced. Waste and waste treatment, of course, associated with a number of environmental problems, from emissions of greenhouse gases to contamination by heavy metals and hazardous chemicals. Greater awareness of waste problems and public involvement in the waste debate can be important factors in controlling growth trends.

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Norwegian Environmental Technology

Local interest can create political pressure that results in environmentally sound solutions and greater awareness of waste and environmental issues. Business and industry are showing a growing interest in using the environmental integrity of their products in their marketing strategies. Every little bit helps in the effort to reduce waste generation and the use of hazardous substances in products. Toxic fractions Hazardous waste â&#x2C6;&#x2019; containing toxic, inflammable, corrosive or other harmful substances â&#x2C6;&#x2019; clearly represents a more immediate danger to health and the environment than other fractions. Such eco-toxins, as they are also known, may spread via seepage of contaminated water from landfills, or in the flue gases, ash or slag produced in the incineration process. Hazardous waste in sewage systems may cause increased pollution of the sea and seabed. Old industrial sites, abandoned mines and old landfills containing hazardous waste hold large amounts of hazardous chemicals that over the years have been dumped or have entered the environment as a result of leakages and accidents. Old industrial sites are often polluted, and there are polluted sediments in fjords, harbours and rivers. In some cases, the pollution may be a clear health hazard or cause irreversible environmental damage. As we learn more about the dangerous properties of many chemicals, more hazardous chemicals that were

once disposed of by landfill are now collected and treated properly. The systems for collecting and disposing of EE waste are just one example: not so long ago, remember, entire TV sets were simply dumped as household waste without removing the hazardous components. With more knowledge has come an increase in the volumes of other types of waste that are now classified as hazardous waste: for example, it is now known that old doubleglazed windows and some older types of light fittings contain high levels of PCBs, and these are now subject to the appropriate regulations. Norway has the capacity to treat most of its own waste, although there are a few types of hazardous waste which require specially adapted technology that is not available here, and which must therefore be exported. Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy is that such waste should preferably be exported to neighbouring countries rather than further afield. Exports of other types of waste are generally destined for recovery abroad: industrial companies are often interested in buying waste across national borders. Waste imports and exports open up a wider range of options for disposal and for utilizing the resources in waste. On the other hand, this solution requires more transport and uses more energy, while the manufacture of new products using waste materials can itself generate a residue of waste and with it a new risk of pollution. Transport of waste across national borders is influenced by market conditions, e.g. differing taxation systems and

According to the Climate and Pollution Agency in 2010 Norway imported some 520,000 tonnes of waste. It exported around 1 million tonnes of waste, more than 230,000 tonnes more than in 2009. Norsas (the Norwegian Resource Centre for Waste Management and Recycling) was established in 1988 with the principal aim of setting up a national network for the reception, collection and treatment of hazardous waste. Since 1994 the company has developed into a national resource centre for waste management, offering services in the areas of consultancy, information and training. The company, privatised in 2000, operates a national registration system for the flow of hazardous waste; a national register for all waste operators who collect, transport, store, sort, recycle, treat and carry out the final disposal of waste, and a national tax refund system for waste oil. One main task is to help companies reduce their waste to landfill, and promote recycling of hazardous, organic, construction and demolition waste. Chemical perils Needless to say, man-made chemicals figure prominently in the hazardous waste category. But the problems

associated with these substances do not end there. Although Norway has imposed tough legislation on many widely used hazardous chemicals, new compounds are constantly being developed and new applications discovered. Even as one class of hazardous chemical is brought under control, new pollution and safety concerns arise elsewhere. Chemicals can increase mortality, inhibit growth or disrupt reproductive processes in plants, animals and micro-organisms. Many hazardous substances are persistent, meaning that they break down very slowly in the environment. Often they enter food chains, becoming more concentrated as they are transferred up each chain from one species to another. Even before their effects are detected, some pollutants may reach levels of environmental concentrations that make it difficult to repair the damage. Nor does the damage stop here: in mammals, for example, hazardous chemicals are transferred from mother to offspring through the placenta, or to infants through the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s milk. Successive generations may suffer if chemicals damage the genetic material in the gametes, sperm and egg cells. Hazardous chemicals enter our bodies via the air we breathe, through food and drinking water, or by direct contact with the skin. Chemicals are implicated in a range of problems, from acute poisoning or burn to chronic ill health, cancer, foetal damage and reduced fertility.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

cost levels. Specialist markets have developed in which a few companies compete for one type of waste from many different countries: Norway, for example, has several plants that recycle and reuse metal remnants from slag and ash.

The impact of chemicals on the environment and public health can be acute or accumulative and chronic, short- or long-term. Acute effects are generally recognized quickly, while long-term consequences can be much more difficult to detect. Acute effects are also easier to quantify, as injury appears immediately after exposure. About 2,500-3,000 cases of acute poisoning are known to be caused by chemicals in Norway each year. Ordinary consumers are most likely to be poisoned or suffer chemical burns from household chemicals and pesticides. In general, people are more likely to be gradually affected by small doses of chemicals than to suffer acute injury. It is seldom easy to prove the connection between exposure and effects when the latter may take years to appear. In fact, everyone is exposed to a number of different substances, and we know far too little about their combined effects. Heredity and lifestyle are additional complicating factors. The increasing use of chemicals is closely related to production and consumption patterns: in other words, to lifestyles and spending patterns. We are surrounded by chemical products both at work and in our leisure hours. Although releases and concentrations in the environment of many of the most dangerous chemicals have been considerably reduced since the mid-1980s − mainly through cuts in industrial emissions − the constant stream of new chemical substances and products has continued. There are now thousands of substances in tens of thousands of products in use in Norway. New sources of pollution have been identified as hazardous chemicals are introduced into new areas of use, and some products have become important sources of pollution. Brominated flame retardants and perfluoro-octane sulphonate (PFOS) are among the “newer” substances causing concern.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

A Product Register collects information on all hazardous chemical products, which are required to carry warning labels. Well over 20 million tonnes of chemicals are registered on the market. However, many of these are substances that ordinary consumers never come into direct contact with. Of course, chemicals have been entering the environment for generations. We continue to face problems resulting from activities that took place many years ago in the form of seepage from dumps and landfills, polluted soil, and polluted sediments in rivers and fjords. One example of such inherited pollution is runoff and tailings from old mines. Here, as in many other cases, pollution was caused by operations or waste disposal methods that would not be considered acceptable today. Diffuse sources of pollution There used to be little doubt that “point sources” such as factories and mines were the worst polluters: serious damage was often all too obvious in the immediate vicinity and beyond. Legislation and technological development have greatly reduced emissions from such point sources since the mid-1980s. In the meantime, however, “diffuse sources” of pollution have become more important. These sources include pollution from contaminated soils and sediments, landfills, sewage treatment plants − and, increasingly, products that contain harmful chemicals. Long-range transport from other European countries is an important source of several heavy metals deposited in the Norwegian environment − although such depositions, particularly of lead, have decreased over the past two decades. On the other hand, growing numbers of new persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are now being carried to Norway by ocean currents and winds, along with their usual load of PCBs, DDT, mercury and cadmium. Regulations controlling chemicals and their use are covered by the Pollution Control Act, under which industrial enterprises are licensed: activities that may cause pollution must have special permission. In addition, the Product Control Act provides legal authority to regulate specific substances or preparations.

7 Precautionary principle The precautionary principle applies to government policy on chemicals, as to many other aspects of environmental legislation. This means that the authorities can introduce regulations or restrictions to deal with particular situations or substances if there is a strong suspicion that they might be hazardous, even if this has not yet been scientifically “proven”. A “priority list” of hazardous chemicals, and targets for substantially reducing or eliminating their use, is a valuable tool. The Climate and Pollution Agency says the national target is to eliminate or substantially reduce releases of priority substances. An additional “observation list” contains examples of chemicals that are thought to represent special problems in Norway: if a chemical is included on the list, this is a signal to business and industry to consider whether its use is really necessary. The authorities monitor trends in the use of chemicals on the observation list; if their use is not reduced over the long term, further measures may be required. In order to promote the use of safer chemicals, legislation in force since 2000 requires that wherever possible, dangerous chemicals must be replaced with less dangerous substances: the “substitution principle”. Another important aim is to ensure that releases of chemicals are kept as low as possible at all stages of a product’s life cycle, from the raw materials used in manufacturing until the product is thrown away and ends as waste. This approach, known as integrated product policy (IPP), requires the active support of the industrial and commercial sector. The policy, which is applicable to all types of potentially polluting products, has been a major topic of discussion in international organizations such as the EU and OECD. In Norway, it was identified as a target (in a White Paper) as early as 1997. A wide variety of instruments can be incorporated as elements of IPP. Some may be based on voluntary action by manufacturers or consumers, others on tax penalties and incentives, new legislation, etc.

Norway participates in the EU working groups that are involved in drawing up this legislation, and is therefore represented at the technical meetings where much of the work of drawing up important legislation takes place. Such meetings are also important in respect of clarifying questions on how to interpret current regulations. In certain fields such as the development of test methods, global harmonization of the classification and labelling of dangerous chemicals, and routines for reporting environmental data and making them available, the work being done within the OECD is also of fundamental importance. Of the numerous international agreements regulating the use and forbidding releases of dangerous chemicals, the most important are the North Sea Declarations, the Oslo-Paris Convention (OSPAR), the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Convention, the ECE protocols and the global Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). REACH, an ambitious European regulation on chemicals and their safe use, entered into force on 1 June 2007. It deals with the “registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances”, requiring manufacturers and importers to gather information on the properties of their chemical substances, which will allow their safe handling, and to register the information in a central database run by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

European regulation As one of the EFTA countries that has signed the EFTA/EU Agreement on the European Economic Area (the EEA Agreement), Norway is generally obliged to regulate the use of chemicals in the same way as the EU countries. When the legislation has been approved by the EU, Norway implements it by drawing up its own national regulations, which must be in accordance with the EU rules.

8 8

Noise

Norwegian Environmental Technology

quantifying the intolerable

The public tends to perceive noise as “one of the major environmental problems”, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). Excessive noise can affect people in both physiological and psychological ways, interfering with rest and relaxation, conversation, enjoyment of radio and TV programmes or concentration at work. Noise adversely affects people’s mental and physical wellbeing, and thus influences their behaviour and health. It can cause mental stress, and can lead to health problems such as muscle tension and muscle pain, and can even be a contributing factor to high blood pressure and the development of heart disease. “Even though these impacts on human health have long been known, recent research shows that they arise at lower noise levels than was previously thought”, says the EEA. However, there are considerable individual differences in sensitivity to noise, making it difficult to lay down limit values that will act as a guarantee against any damage to health. Unsurprisingly, the government sees noise as one of the most serious remaining environmental problems in Norway, and among those affecting the largest number of people. About 1.7 million Norwegians, a third or more of the population, are exposed to excessively high noise levels outside their homes; almost half a million of these are annoyed or highly annoyed by noise. Some 200,000 have noise-related sleep problems.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

8 The most important source of excessive noise by far is road traffic, which accounts for almost 80 per cent of noise annoyance, followed by aircraft, railways and industry. Other sources include construction activities, shooting ranges, military training areas and motor racing tracks, followed by occasional and/or relatively “minor” noise nuisances such as harbours, bus stations, trams, microlight aircraft, snowmobiles, leisure craft, lawnmowers, chainsaws and numerous other noisegenerating products.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

The country’s official statistical office, Statistics Norway, has developed a “noise annoyance index” (SPI) in an attempt to quantify the total level of annoyance for individual communities and to monitor progress towards national noise reduction targets. The latest target, toughened by the Storting in 2008, aims for a 10 per cent reduction in noise annoyance from 1999 levels by 2020. For the most affected Norwegians, suffering 38 dB or higher indoor levels, these are to be 30 per cent lower than 2005 levels by 2020, though have yet to be measured.

In recent years, efforts to reduce noise have focused on measures such as façade insulation and noise screens for residential buildings that are exposed to the highest noise levels. The national targets for noise reduction will make it necessary to focus more on reducing noise at source, which may be both cheaper and more effective than noise mitigation. Tax incentives and penalties, eco-labelling and public information campaigns can be useful policy instruments for achieving the target. Low-noise technology, for example for road surfaces, must be used more widely. New residential buildings and buildings where noisy activities will take place must be planned and built so that they comply with noise limits laid down in the building regulations pursuant to the Planning and Building Act. In addition, there are noise guidelines for specific sources of noise such as roads, aircraft, shooting ranges and industry. The guidelines set out a number

8 of recommended noise limits that must be used as a basis for land-use planning and for dealing with specific cases. The county governor is the competent authority for noise-related issues within the scope of the Planning and Building Act. Pollution control regulations also lay down noise limits for existing activities, but these are less stringent than the planning limits, and the county governor remains the competent authority in this context. One of the more interesting developments is the aircraft noise calculation program NORTIM (Norwegian Topography Integrated Model) developed by the SINTEF Group, the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia, for the Norwegian Defence Construction Service and AVINOR (formerly Norwegian Air Traffic and Airport Management).

scaling, etc. The calculation results are presented as contours on a map. NORTIM can also do point calculations of the aircraft noise outside all buildings near the airport. SINTEF has also developed two special versions of the program: GMTIM and REGTIM. The former automatically collects traffic data, flight tracks and flight profiles from the flight track and surveillance system at Gardermoen, Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main international airport, and processes the data with relatively little user input; the latter is designed to do simple calculations of aircraft noise in the vicinity of regional airports in Norway with a simplified user interface enabling the user to adjust a predefined data set.

NORTIM is used to calculate aircraft noise in the vicinity of most Norwegian airports. The program enables the user to import traffic journal data, process the data, construct flight tracks, define multiple scenarios with a given traffic

Norwegian Environmental Technology 65

9 9

In praise of convergence

doing well by doing good The progressive integration of environmental concerns through virtually all sectors has been a heartening subplot in Norway’s recent industrial history. A primary aim has been to combine the nation’s role as a major energy producer with a pioneering approach to environmental issues. One result has been the development of a comprehensive set of policy instruments to safeguard the natural environment whatever and wherever the activity that might threaten it. We have seen that environmental protection and commercial self-interest can often coincide: in the offshore sector, for example, through a complex value chain involving power generation and the use of CO2 to enhance oil recovery with a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

Environmentalists describe this phenomenon as “convergence”, seeing it as the ideal outcome for any measure aimed at saving the planet. Of course, the benefits of convergence also include the spinoff effects of technological development, from R&D funding to manufacturing start-ups to exports, associated with environmental measures, particularly as the rapidly expanding environmental technology sector has become hugely profitable in recent years.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

9 Living green The “greening” of industry, then, can be driven as much by the profit motive (or, in the public sector, by the need to keep costs down) as by the need to comply with regulations. Fashion also plays a role: hotels, for example, are increasingly concerned to be seen as environmentally responsible, so much so that the secretariat of the regional Nordic Swan ecolabel lists several hundred hotels and youth hostels which have applied for and received its seal of environmental approval. Hotels were taken into the Nordic Swan scheme, which covers Norway and its Nordic neighbours Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, about ten years ago, stealing a march on a similar plan by the EU to develop ecolabels for tourism on the principle that a service company should be no less subject to environmental standards than a manufacturer. To qualify under such a scheme, the hotel is evaluated on a range of criteria including energy and water consumption, waste management, cleaning procedures, food handling, furniture and transport. The use of eco-friendly detergents, sorting of waste into various fractions, and prohibitions on PVC in furniture and brominated flame retardants in textiles are some additional factors taken into account. Building targets Another obvious example of convergence is the building and construction industry. One case in point is Statsbygg, the Norwegian government agency which acts as property manager and advisor in construction and property, managing almost three million square metres of floor space in Norway and abroad. Its property portfolio comprises government and cultural buildings, colleges and public administration buildings, royal properties, embassies and diplomatic residences abroad. As builder, manager and developer of state-owned property, Statsbygg claims “co-ownership in the country’s total environmental challenges”, in particular energy consumption, correct handling of hazardous substances, increased recycling and reducing volumes of waste for disposal. Statsbygg’s goal is “to incorporate environmental consideration in all our projects and procedures and thus contribute to the total quality of all our activities”, towards which end it has carried out a series of environmental surveys and set for itself a range of environmental targets. Byggforsk (SINTEF Building and Infrastructure) runs a Research Centre on Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB) and a centre for research-based innovation, Concrete Innovation Centre (COIN), where it develops “new solutions for the built environment of the future”. Other projects focus on methods and technical solutions for energy efficient buildings and “buildings and infrastructure which are adapted to the challenges presented by future climate change”.

Green Transport Inevitably, the transport sector is all but obsessed with bettering its environment profile. Statistics Norway reported that road transport was responsible for 19% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2011 In its National Transport Plan for 2014-23, the Ministry of Transport said economic growth and population growth would generate greater demand for transport. Such a development poses a challenge, and capacity in the transport system needs to be extended. It states that climate goals need to be met and the transport system needs to become more environment-friendly. Public transport, cycling and walking are central to this objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport. This should be coupled with restrictions on private motoring in the towns and cities. As a by-product, this would also reduce noise and pollution levels. Transnova, originally a three-year pilot project aimed at reducing CO2-emissions from the transport sector: “By providing grants and advice for pilot and demonstration projects, Transnova encourages new and future-oriented sustainable mobility solutions”, according to their website. The project was made permanent in the National Budget for 2013.

Norwegian Environmental Technology

Government agency Enova believes in future that all homes will be so energy efficient that they will produce more energy than they consume. Those who choose to go beyond the minimum standards when building houses will choose future-oriented solutions that will mean low energy costs and a comfortable indoor climate (no draughts, steady temperature, good air quality).

Overall, the approach is nothing if not optimistic, a quality that is typical of Norwegian industry in general and environmental technology in particular. Some of the reasons for such optimism are on display in the next section of this publication: a representative selection of Norwegian companies which stand to benefit as Norway’s environmental technology sector continues to innovate, expand and prosper.

Index of Business Category

Business Category Index Building & Construction.............................................................. 72 Climate........................................................................................ 78 Consultants - R&D....................................................................... 80 Education.................................................................................... 86 Energy......................................................................................... 88 Producer Responsibility Organizations........................................ 98 Services..................................................................................... 106

Water......................................................................................... 130

Index of Business Category

Waste Management................................................................... 110

Foreword - Avantor AS

Ă&#x2DC;ystein Thorup Managing Director Avantor AS

Green investments in office buildings: A competitive edge in the battle for the best minds. The focus on environmentally sustainable building solutions is rapidly increasing. This is partly a general trend in the business, and partly a strategic measure in the increasingly strong competition for the best minds. In other words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? solutions are important parameters for both Norwegian and international companies when considering new locations. They know that potential employees, particularly younger people, expect to find attitudes and solutions at level with the environmental standards of tomorrow.

In this context, the Norwegian Green Building Council plays a vital role. By recognising standards and qualities beyond the legal requirements, NGBC supports the real estate industry in their work, and even sets the agenda in various environmental arenas. Consequently, our industry represents an important resource of knowledge and competence in an area that many customers see as complex and impenetrable. All the same, this area is of great importance both in the short and the long term.

Foreword - Avantor AS

Thus, the real estate industry is challenged from several sides - from authorities, from customers, and as a consequence of our own requirements. The latter is essential to justify our leading role, proactively seeking sustainable solutions in all aspects of the development.

Avantor Building a better environment Avantorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate mission is to be the most innovative real estate company in the market. Hence, an environmental engagement is present in all parts of the organisation: from planning and design to management and operations. This holistic approach is crucial to translating good intentions into practical solutions and real world results, which is of paramount significance to an industry that consumes 40% of all stationary energy. Consequently; attitudes, working practices, and technologies must address specific environmental targets. To obtain this, a focused leadership and management is required.

Progressive solutions For more than 20 years, Avantor has played a key role in the development of Nydalen. Being one of the largest urban development projects in Norway, it has provided us with a solid foundation for environmentally focused practices and solutions.

Building & Construction

Among the many tasks of great significance for the environmental strategy in Nydalen, are the rehabilitation of Akerselva and the founding of Nydalen Energy:

Opening up and rehabilitating the Akerselva River A waterway highly polluted by industrial activity, Akerselva was gradually cleaned up by Avantor 20 years ago. Since then, trout and salmon have returned to the river, as have children and adults using the river for bathing and recreation. Green energy As early as 1998, Avantor investigated solutions to reduce energy consumption in Nydalen. One such solution was Nydalen Energy, a geothermal power plant that provides 50 per cent of all heating and cooling energy in Nydalen. From 180 wells, heat pumps produce geothermal energy from a depth of 200-300 metres. At the same time, surplus heat

from local cooling systems is being reused. Compared to traditional oilbased systems, Nydalen Energy represents a reduction in CO2 emissions by approx. 4000 tonnes. New standards for the industry Avantor was the first private real estate company in Norway certified to the environmental standard ISO 14001. Today, we are a key partner in GBA (Green Building Alliance, founded in 2003) and NGBC (Norwegian Green Building Council, founded in 2010).

NGBC contributes in particular to increased sustainability in construction and real estate development. Their focus is directed towards well-being and working environments, operational economy and environmental solutions. A key part of NGBC’s environmental work is the establishment of a new classification system - BREEAMNOR. The Norwegian version of the international BREEAM standards was launched in 2011, and recognises qualities beyond legal requirements. Applying strict standards to our own buildings As the largest office building in Norway with an energy rating of A, our new building for Statnett in Nydalen meets the ambitious passive house standards. We aim to certify all our new buildings according to energy class B and “Very Good” following the BREEAM-NOR standards.

Environment as a competitive factor Environmental awareness among customers and employees calls for increased investments in responsible solutions. A conscious and visible environmental strategy is expected for a business to be attractive in the current job market, as well as contributing to the general reputation of the business. This way, environmental issues become a competitive factor. Avantor’s customers know this, and together with us they ensure that “green” attitudes and smart environmental solutions are established as the norm – rather than the exception.

Practical solutions For technical environmental solutions to function as intended, the attitudes and actions of users also have to keep up. Our goal is to ensure that all procedures are followed in daily use, and we have established solutions to monitor the consumption of water and electricity. Thus, we can track deviations in consumption patterns in order to detect both technical and practical problems – before any serious consequences occur.

Building & Construction

Our next commercial building at the site of the old Spikerverk steelworks will be developed as a BREEAMNOR pilot project. Alongside an environmentally aware customer, we will take the necessary steps to achieve the optimal classification/investment ratio.

Avantor AS Nydalen Allé 37, NO-0404 Oslo Tel: +47 45 48 54 00 post@avantor.no www.avantor.no 75

Building & Construction

Kebony ASA

KEBONY, a Norwegian company behind a worldwide sensation, making a real wood alternative to tropical hardwoods. The patented process is based on extensive R&D.

APPLICATIONS Kebony has created solutions that satisfy demand for innovation in terms of quality, aesthetics and environmental friendliness.

Sustainable building materials which are aesthetically pleasing and have a low life time cost are a prerequisite in modern building practice due to our increasing pressure on the environment.

Its applications areas are numerous: • Decking • Cladding • Roofing • Boat decking • Indoor flooring • Worktops • Furniture • All other areas where a high performance real wood is required.

Kebony provides the solution that satisfies all the needs of the modern architect, designer, construction company and craftsman.

INTERNATIONAL AMBITIONS Kebony has a 7000 m3 production facility based in Norway with plans for expansion internationally through branding and licensing.

. Real wood which is aesthetically pleasing. . Durable and dimensionally stable . Cost effective . Environmentally certified. WHAT IS KEBONY During the patented Kebonization-process, an environmentally-friendly liquid extraction from biomass is added to the wood. The wood is then impregnated and cured in a heating process. The liquid reacts with the woods cell wall and is strengthened, making it more stable, harder and weather-proof. The result is a sustainable high performance product that has the characteristics of tropical hardwoods.

Kebony has featured in: CNN, The Economist, Financial Times, Wallpaper, Boat International and numerous other publications as a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwoods. CNN KEBONY TICKS ALL THE BOXES Real Wood Durable Cost effective Certified Eco Friendly Low maintenance Aesthetically pleasing Dimensionally stable

Building & Construction

A REAL ALTERNATIVE TO TROPICAL HARDWOODS Every year more than 100 000 km2 of rainforest are destroyed for commercial purposes – an area close to the size half of England! Kebony’s award winning products provide a real alternative. Through the process of Kebonization sustainable soft and hardwoods can be modified to give the characteristics of a tropical hardwood. The dark brown colour acquires an aesthetically pleasing silver patina over time with the notable benefits of being resistant to weather and decay. This is why Kebony has been endorsed with the Nordic Swan Label for environmental excellence.

Kebony has been used in several thousand projects in Scandinavia and is now been used widely internationally in cladding, decking, boat decking, flooring and marina developments, Projects that require a high performance material.

Kebony ASA Hoffsveien 70 C, NO-0375 Oslo Tel: +47 06125 Fax: +47 35 53 65 35 info@kebony.com www.kebony.com 77

Geonor AS Manufacturer of reliable meteorological and geotechnical instruments

Geonor AS has been operating within geotechnical, meteorological and environmental business for more than 50 years and has exported high quality instruments and equipment to more than 100 countries. Geonor is a privately owned company and benefits from the expertise and experience of its founder and partner in technical development, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, as well as other research institutes.

Meteorological instruments Geonor all-weather precipitation gauges are used by leading meteorological services and climatic networks worldwide and contribute to accurate measurements and provide scientists with reliable meteorological and climatic data. Other users are typically national road and airport authorities, agricultural institutes and international hydro energy companies.

Geotechnical Field Instrumentation Geonor pioneered the development and production of geotechnical field instrumentation based on vibrating wire technology. Technical improvements have made the vibrating wire sensor the most reliable instrument for measuring pressure, load, stress and strain in motorways, airports, tunnels, bridges, dams, embankments, and other civil engineering structures.

Climate

Soil Testing and Sampling Geonor soil testing and sampling equipment provides reliable data â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly for the study of soft clays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to support important civil engineering decisions. A range of internationally well known in-situ testing instruments is available including vane instruments from 3-30 meter.

The Geonor model T-200B has become the market leader in the Nordic countries and North America for measuring precipitation and intensity for both snow and rain.

For more than 35 years, the Geonor M-600 series of pore pressure gauges have been known for their high quality and long-term stability.

Climate

In many countries, Geonor vane instruments have become the industry standard for in situ soil testing of soft clays.

Geonor AS P.O. Box 99 RĂ¸a, NO-0701 Oslo Tel: +47 67 15 92 80 Fax: +47 67 14 58 46 geonor@geonor.no www.geonor.no 79

Aquateam AS Environmental Solutions, Consultancy, Research and Development

Our Team Aquateam is a leading consulting company with a highly qualified and motivated team providing independent and multidisciplinary expertise in development of environmental technology.

Our Services • Pre-feasibility and conceptual studies • Applied research studies • Process design •P lant operation, training and troubleshooting

Environmental Technology Bridging the gap and reducing the time from development to validated product

A link between R&D/entrepreneurs and end-users

Consultants - R&D

• Reducing time and cost from idea to solution • Enhance final implementation of environmental regulations

Our Market sectors • Oil and gas production • Municipal wastewater • Industrial wastewater • Biosolids and other organic residues • Contaminated soil and groundwater • Water quality and supply

Petroleum •T hird party, independent support in commissioning and technology evaluations •F easibility and concept studies •L aboratory -, pilot – and full scale studies •B iological treatment technology •O il/water separation technologies •E merging technologies; AOP, membrane technology (UF, NF and RO), coagulation, flocculation/flotation, oxidation, ion exchange etc. •P roduced water (oil/gas/condensate), injection water, steam generators, drinking water , ballast water etc.

• Testing and documentation of products and processes at bench, pilot and full scale • Environmental surveillance • Environmental risk assessment

Development Water, wastewater, sludge and organic waste • Selection of treatment technology • Assessment of existing installations (treatment processes) and preparation of proposals for upgrading plants • Independent, third party testing, documentation and verification of products and processes • Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) in accordance with the upcoming EU ETV scheme

Accredited sampling and environmental monitoring • Aquateam is accredited for sampling effluents from wastewater treatment plants and performs environmental surveillance and monitoring within all fields of expertise

Consultants - R&D

Our Facilities • State of the art laboratory facilities with bench and pilot scale testing with advanced analytical instruments • Computer software to analyse complex environmental data • Advanced scientific instruments and monitoring equipment for on-site applications.

Aquateam P.O. Box 6875 Rodeløkka, NO-0504 Oslo Tel: +47 22 35 81 00 Fax: +47 22 35 81 10 aquateam@aquateam.no www.aquateam.no 81

Consultants - R&D

Bergfald Miljørådgivere Environmental consultants

Bergfald Miljørådgivere is the oldest focused environmental consulting firm in Norway. We provide technical and strategic environmental advice to Norwegian and International clients.

Our staff is made up primarily of engineers and individuals with many years of broad experience from environmental organisations, politics and administration. We can offer specialist expertise covering a broad range of issues relating to the environment:

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: • Eco-labelling • Environmental Impact Assessments • Regulatory Compliance • Carbon footprint and LCAs

POLLUTION: • Contaminated land and sea • Consumer chemicals • Environmental toxins • Environmental review/Due Dilligence

ECO INNOVATION: • Customized innovation projects

Consultants - R&D

Bergfald Miljørådgivere Kongens gate 3, NO-0153 Oslo Tel: +47 23 00 05 90 Fax: +47 22 41 54 40 info@bergfald.no www.bergfald.no 83

ENTRO Energy & Environmental Management

Consultants - R&D

Increasing energy efficiency is a growing trend in the real estate sector and in industry simply because it has become profitable to operate in an environmentally friendly way. With ENTRO as a partner, you can be sure of both a systematic approach to this work and results.

ENTRO’s Services: In addition to being an outsourcing partner in energy and environmental management, ENTRO also offers: •E nergy Monitoring – where our consultants keep an eye on energy consumption and provide tangible advice •E nergy Administration – Billing control of energy bills against tariffs, volumes, payments on account, etc. •E nergy and Environmental Consulting – based on data gathered via the Entro Optima Energy software •E nergy Labelling – where we place the main emphasis ENTRO is a driving force and disseminator of knowledge in energy and environmental projects. We provide assistance on, among other things, Enova applications and act as a resource throughout the project and collaboration. Tangible Improvement Initiatives With our energy monitoring software, Entro Optima, you (and us) receive a complete overview of the property’s or industry’s energy consumption, waste electricity, and carbon emissions. Based on this information, consultants at ENTRO are easily able to make an analysis that offers tangible initiatives to make savings and gains. ‘These are fact-based increases in environmental efficiency,’ says Tor Lindholt, General Manager of ENTRO. ‘The advice we provide is based on actual consumption and emissions. The investments necessary to improve energy efficiency often provide rapid gains.’

Entro AS, Sluppenveien 12 C, NO-7037 Trondheim Tel: 73 87 13 00 entro@entro.no www.entro.no

improve status • Environmental Reporting – Entro Optima Waste logs the degree of sorting and show fractions and CO2 reports

Read more on our website www.entro.no

‘The advice we provide is based on actual consumption and emissions. The investments necessary to improve energy efficiency often provide rapid gains.’

Entro AS, Schweigaardsgt. 10, NO-0185 Oslo Tel: 22 93 81 00 entro@entro.no www.entro.no

Consultants - R&D

Vision and Practice ENTRO is a partner and guide to the hidden values within energy consumption and the environment. Based on a combination of monitoring, facts, and expertise, we can implement profitable measures. ‘When a company is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by, for example, 20 %, at ENTRO, we know how to achieve it in practice. It’s no good just having a vision or goal. Practical measures based on fact are also necessary,’ concludes Tor Lindholt.

on measures that can be easily implemented to

Entro AB, Götgatan 97, SE-116 62 Stockholm Tel: 08-707 94 94 entroab@entro.no www.entro.no 85

Education

BI Norwegian Business School

Empowering Managers to Recharge the Energy Industry Strengthen your management skills through our energy programmes: • Executive MBA – specialisation in Energy • Executive Master of Management in Energy The programmes are in cooperation with IFP School in Paris and UC Berkeley, and can be combined with your work. Programme details:

bi.edu/energy

Education

BI Norwegian Business School Nydalsveien 37, NO-0484 Oslo Tel: +47 06600 / +47 464 10 000 www.bi.no

Energy

Alpha-InnoTec Norway AS Supplier of Comprehensive and Complex Heat Pump System Solutions

Alpha-InnoTec Norway AS is one of Norway’s leading companies supplying heat pump systems for hydronic heating systems. We provide installations to individual houses in the private sector and to public buildings. We have many years of specialist expertise in hydronic heating systems in combination with heat pumps. Our engineers and technicians are able to find solutions to the vast majority of needs and will assist throughout from the project phase until switch-on, and then after sales service. What are heat pumps? They are intended to stop the use of fossil fuels such as oil and gas, and to reduce the use of direct acting electric heat from hydroelectric power - we extract energy stored in outdoor air, mountains, water, or the ground - thus nature is the energy source for your heat pump. You save money as your energy bills are reduced - and as a bonus you are using an environmentally friendly heat source. It is important to choose a supplier that you can trust in terms of installation, service, and monitoring. You should be certain that the supplier will be there for you throughout the lifetime of the system. Alpha-InnoTec will be.

German high quality product Alpha-InnoTec is Germany’s leading manufacturer of heat pumps. The company represents innovation in its field and an increasing number of Norwegian users will now be able to enjoy the benefits of this. In 2007, the German manufacturer established a subsidiary in Norway. This guarantees that the company is making a serious and long term investment in the Norwegian market. Sales in Norway are pointing in the right direction. Alpha-InnoTec Norway AS The Norwegian head office is in Stavanger with an operations department located in Bergen. New in 2013 is our collaboration with Høiax AS - together we will ensure that Alpha-InnoTec heat pumps become more easily available in Norway. As a system supplier of heating and hot water, Høiax AS helps us with the marketing of systems up to 17 kW. At Alpha-InnoTec Norway, we are all dedicated and motivated, with extensive experience in heating and heat pumps. We live and breathe our products - no one can beat us on expertise, system solutions - or service!

Energy

You will never even have to worry whether everything is working as it should be. Using the internet, we are able to control system conditions and adapt system operation

directly from Alpha-InnoTec. Should the heat pump’s alarm be triggered, this will be registered by our server and can be managed directly using either a PC or iPad.

Alpha-InnoTec Norway AS Gamle Forusvei 51 B, NO-4033 Stavanger Tel.: +47 51 66 05 95 • Fax: +47 51 66 05 94 info@alpha-innotec.no • www.alpha-innotec.no Bergen Department Salhusveien 55, NO-5131 Nyborg 89

Norsk Teknisk Porselen AS supplier of electro ceramic components Uniting society and environmental technology. Our products contribute globally to cleaner air and more stable electricity supply. Rocksolid Our customers have for nearly 100 years shown us a trust that gradually has contributed to the development of Norsk Teknisk Porselen AS. We are a leading national supplier with a substantial and ever increasing export share. Our strengths are com-petence, product range and quality, and adaptability. The combination of our leading-edge competence and motivated co-workers ensures quality in our services and products. Our insulators constitute the back-bone in all high-voltage systems. The society of today, and tomorrow, is increasingly more dependent of a stable and secure supply of electricity. We have developed insulators for electrostatic precipitators (ESP). These environmental products are critical components in such installations. Air pollution is huge problem worldwide, and the demand for these products is rapidly increasing. It is our ambition to grow globally and become one of the leading manufacturers within this type of environmental products. Together with our existing, and new, customer we will build lasting relations. Products • Pin insulators • Line post insulators • Post insulators • Hollow porcelains • I nsulators for DC-electro filters (ESP insulators) • Ceramic welding backing • Insulation beads • Epoxy resin insulators • Various press bodies • Composite insulators

Energy

Quality As NTP AS sees it, quality is not only related to the products themselves but also to the whole process – from the quotation stage through order handling, design, manufacturing and to after-sales services.

Since 1982 the company has had an independent QA department that secures high-quality work in every department. In 1994 NTP AS was awarded the NSEN ISO 9001 certificate. This guarantees high-quality products and states strict requirements regarding development, design, manufacturing, installation and servicing.

Customer Service In order to focus on its customers’ needs, NTP AS has the following philosophy to ensure customer satisfaction: • Respond quickly to all enquiries • Offer both tailor-made and standardized solutions • Offer price-competitive products • Offer short and reliable delivery times • Deliver high-quality products • Perform excellent after-sales service Manufacturing NTP AS’s products require different ceramic materials. The company uses a wide range of substances, fluxes and fillers in order to fulfil its customers’ technical requirements. In order for NTP AS to offer a wide range of products, several different production methods are used. Today the company uses the wet process manufacturing method, slip casting, dry pressing, extrusion and turning asforming methods. The total output capacity is approximately 3,000 tonnes of porcelain per year.

Energy

Norsk Teknisk Porselen AS P.O. Box 188, NO-1601 Fredrikstad Tel: +47 69 38 30 00 Fax: +47 69 38 30 30 sales@ntp-as.no www.ntp-as.no 91

Onsagers AS Patents Trademarks

Designs

IP Law

Onsagers is an IP law firm offering a full range of services in the areas of Patents, Trademarks, Design, and IP Legal matters to International clients seeking advice on handling IP in Europe (EU) and Norway. Additionally we offer a full range of IP Management services such as IP Intelligence and Surveillance, Portfolio Management, IP Due Diligence and Strategic evaluation. We offer not only the knowledge of our employees, but also the experience of all of our international partners. Onsagers represents clients in all commercial areas with a particularly focus on a business strategic approach to all IP related matters. Whether clients are seeking to protect their brands and technology or need to analyse the access to future market opportunities, the link between business and IP is the key to creating value through IP. For more than 60 years we have represented domestic clients in more than 150 different countries worldwide. By combining a business minded approach to IP with a carefully selected network of international partners we dare say that we have expanded the horizons of our clients and have contributed to international business. With an experienced staff of 50 partners and employees, Onsagers is one of the largest IP law firms in Norway committed to offering IP services of high quality with an effective and up to date infrastructure. Working with international clients on an international arena requires international competence. A majority of our patent attorneys are qualified European Patent Attorneys and all Attorneys at Law are specialised in IP law. Onsagers is located in Oslo, the capital

Energy

of Norway, with a regional office in TromsĂ¸.

PATENT

TRADEMARK

DESIGN

IP LAW

- Big things have small beginnings Protect your solutions

Onsagers offer the following services: • Patent protection

• IP surveillance and intelligence

• Trademark protection

• Legal assistance in IP matters

• Design protection

• License agreements

• Enforcement of IP rights

• IP portfolio maintenance

• Know-how protection

• Patent searches

• Freedom to operate analysis

• Trademark searches

• IP agreements

• Litigation

Energy

Onsagers AS Munkedamsveien 35 P.O. Box. 1813 Vika, NO-0123 Oslo Tel.: +47 23 32 77 00 Fax: +47 23 32 77 01 mail@onsagers.com - www.onsagers.com 93

Energy

YIT AS a leading supplier of technical building systems YIT AS is Norway’s leading supplier of technical building systems and property and industrial upkeep services. Our scope of supply includes total “intelligent building” systems, indoor climate technologies, heating and cooling equipment, piping, electrical infrastructure and security systems. YIT AS is a subsidiary of the Finnish YIT Group with 26000 employees in fourteen countries and a yearly turnover of EUR 4 billion. YIT AS has 3,600 employees in Norway. Energy efficiency A market leader in Norway, YIT has an extensive track record in the field of energy efficient building technology solutions for office buildings and industry. Our basic concept is to help our customers develop cost effective and environmentally sound investment decisions. Energy will not become cheaper. Energy consumption constitutes a major part of a building’s life cycle costs. YIT has developed energy efficient solutions for all energy consuming processes – heating and cooling, ventilation and air conditioning, light and sun protection. YITs Total Solutions-concept ensures our customers an optimal, integrated construction process and reliable, easily serviceable systems during the building’s lifetime. Detailed documentation reveals that YITs solutions might reduce energy consumption by 40-60 percent. Energy labelling and energy assessment Energy labelling is mandatory in connection with sale or rental of commercial buildings. In addition, all non-residential buildings over 1000 m2 must have a valid energy certificate visible in the building. The Energy Certificate consists of both an energy label and a list of energy sources for heating. The Energy Label states the consumption of heating, electricity and water. The owner of the building is responsible for the implementation of energy labels. YIT has solutions that will help reduce energy consumption, and can issue energy labels and perform energy assessment.

Energy

The quality of the indoor climate is vital to the health, well-being and productivity of employees. YIT supplies cost effective and energy efficient solutions both for new buildings and for the upgrading of existing property.

YIT AS Ole Deviks vei 10, NO-0666 Oslo P.O. Box 6260, NO-0603 Etterstad Tel.: +47 22 87 40 00 Fax: +47 22 87 44 90 hovedkontor@yit.no www.yit.no 95

Østfoldforskning AS

Ostfold Research AS, established in 1988, is a Norwegian national research company. The company’s vision is to contribute to knowledge for the sustainable development of society through innovation. The research is centred environmental protection research and business and regional development research. 23 highly qualified staff work at Ostfold Research. Ostfold Research in a regional, national and international context Ostfold Research was established with the aim of contributing to and strengthen research activities in the county of Ostfold and is an important driving force for regional development together with Ostfold University College, the Institute for Energy Technology -IFE, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences - UMB, Ostfold County Council and the employers’ and workers’ organisations (NHO and LO). Ostfold Research is a part of the Norwegian organisation for regionally based research, known as the FOKUS institutes.

Energy

Ostfold Research also plays an important national and international role in supporting companies in development

and environmental declarations and resource efficient products and processes. Examples are sea food packaging, biogas, bioethanol, electricity, waste management, efficient buildings and building materials, office chairs and paint products. We constitute a regionally based research company performing applied research and development within four main areas: Research in Environmentally Efficient Use of Energy & Refuse Resources Examples of projects in this area include: • Environmental assessments to find out what is the best environmental utilization of used packaging and how the recycling systems for them can be optimized • Environmental assessments as a foundation for consistent reviews of different types of energy plants such as refuse incineration or bioenergy plants • Environmental assessments of presentations of different types of energy like electricity and heat based on different types of bioenergy, biofuel, oil/gas

Construction, Energy Use & Services In this area Ostfold Research focuses on functional environmental and energy efficient production and use of products, services and technology. Examples of projects include: • Environmental and energy documentation of the quality of life of buildings • Documentation of the environmental and energy consequences different materials have for the quality of life of a building • Development of key figures for the energy efficient in a building • Models for environmental controls in the service sector • Aid industry in the implementation of national and international regulations related to chemicals

The company does projects in order to document that the industry reaches its goals through systematic studies of packaging development in Norway, such as the Marine Pack, Bunn til Munn and Økofrukt. Innovation & Innovation Processes Research here focuses mainly on innovation processes connected to prioritized companies, industries or regional clusters. Examples of projects include: • VRI • Knowledge-based Østfold County • Cluster analysis of Fredrikstad Township • Network development projects

Optimal Packaging & Food Ostfold Research focuses on optimizing value chains for packaging and food in relation to the use of resources, the environment and finance.

Energy

Østfoldforskning AS Gamle Beddingv. 2B, NO-1671 Kråkerøy Tel.: +47 69 35 11 00 Fax: +47 69 34 24 94 post@)ostfoldforskning.no www. ostfoldforskning.no 97

Producer Responsibility Organizations

Norsk Dekkretur A/S The company that collects and recycles discarded tyres

Norsk Dekkretur AS was established to collect and recycle discarded tyres on behalf of importers that have agreements pursuant to the “Regulations relating to the disposal, collection and recycling of discarded tyres”. The company has a trade agreement with the Ministry of the Environment.

Producer Responsibility Organizations

Norsk Dekkretur AS: • Is a cost-efficient, nation-wide, non-competitive system for collecting and recycling discarded tyres; • Picks up discarded tyres that consumers can deliver free-of-charge to any of about 4 000 tyre dealers or other collection points; • Uses discarded tyres to produce energy and recycled materials; • Is owned by the National Association of Tyre Importers and the National Association of Car Importers. • Through individual agreements, Norsk Dekkretur A/S accepts responsibilities undertaken by approximately 200 tyre, car and machine equipment importers pursuant to “The regulations relating to the disposal, collection and recycling of discarded tyres” in return for them paying a ‘green fee’ to Norsk Dekkretur A/S to finance the collection and recycling scheme. • The 200 or so tyre, car and machine equipment importers that have an agreement with Norsk Dekkretur A/S represent about 90 per cent of the total tyre market. • According to the calculation model devised by the Climate and Pollution Agency (Klif), the scheme enjoys a 116 per cent return rate in 2012 (123% in 2011).

Norsk Dekkretur A/S Stasjonsveien 59, NO-1940 Bjørkelangen Tel: +47 63 85 55 60 Fax: +47 63 85 64 90 post@dekkretur.no www.dekkretur.no 99

Norsk Resirk AS

Producer Responsibility Organizations

Ensures the record-high collection of bottles and cans in Norway

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Since 1999, Norsk Resirk has made Norway a global leader when it comes to depositing and recycling non-refillable plastic bottles and beverage cans. 95 per cent of plastic bottles are returned and the figure for cans is 95 per cent. All deposited containers are recycled. In 2012 the 472 million cansÂ provided 6000 metric tonnes of aluminum for new cans, while 133 million bottles provided 4200 metric tonnes of plastic for new plastic bottles. Norsk Resirkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole purpose is not profiting, but to operate an eco-friendly, cost effective collection scheme for nonrefillable beverage packaging. The main goal is to collect and recycle as much as possible, thus contributing to a better environment and lowering public environmental excise taxes.

Distinctive deposit symbols Products included in the deposit system display Norsk Resirk’s distinctive deposit symbol. This symbol assures the consumers that the deposit will be refunded when the empty packaging is returned. Norsk Resirk’s easy-to-read symbol also guides store staff that handle returns manually. Every can or bottle is also marked with a bar code that can be read by reverse vending machines. This ensures an accurate overview of the percentage of sold products that are returned. Friendly to the environment All deposits are recycled. Aluminum cans become new soft drink and beer cans, and bottles become new plastic bottles. Re-used aluminum requires 95 per cent less energy consumption than new metal, while one kilogram of re-used plastic saves two kilograms of oil. The collection process itself is also environment-friendly, since spare capacity on suppliers’ trucks is used to transport the collected cans and bottles from the deposit points to regional depots. The cans and bottles are also densely compacted before being shipped to recycling – which reduces the environmental impact even more.

Producer Responsibility Organizations

Lower taxes and prices All manufacturers and importers of beverages in cans or non-refillable plastic bottles can enroll their products with Norsk Resirk. This allows them to benefit from the reduced excise tax rate Norsk Resirk has obtained as a result of the high returns. The excise tax decreases as the returns increases, meaning that the excise tax is now zero. This allows the products to be sold at a lower price.

Norsk Resirk AS Karenslyst allé 9A, P.O. Box 447 Skøyen, NO-0213 Oslo Tel: +47 22 12 15 20 Fax: +47 22 12 15 21 resirk@resirk.no www.resirk.no 101

Norsk Resirk AS

Producer Responsibility Organizations

Ensures the record-high collection of bottles and cans in Norway

102

Norsk Resirk runs a deposit/return system for disposable plastic bottles and beverage cans. Over 1350 products participate in the scheme at present. Backed by trade and industry Norsk Resirk is co-owned by organizations in trade and industry: Norwegian Association of Wholesale Grocers (33,5 %), Coop Norway (15 %), Norwegian Federation of Petrol Dealers (1.5 %), The Norwegian Brewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Service Office (35 %), Grocery Manufacturesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Service Office (7.5 %), Federation of Norwegian Food and Drink Industry (7.5 %)

Producer Responsibility Organizations

The deposit symbol tells the consumer and store employees that a deposit has been paid on the packaging. Cans and bottles up to 0.5 litres fetch NOK 1 in deposit, larger bottles and cans NOK 2.50.

Norsk Resirk AS Karenslyst allĂŠ 9A, P.O. Box 447 SkĂ¸yen, NO-0213 Oslo Tel: +47 22 12 15 20 Fax: +47 22 12 15 21 resirk@resirk.no www.resirk.no 103

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Producer Responsibility Organizations

Norsk Resy the natural cycle Norsk Resy puts the recycling of corrugated- and solid board packaging (occ) into a system, so that material is collected, sorted, traded and recycled. More than 95 % of all occ in Norway is recovered and recycled. Most of it is recycled, while a tiny share goes to energy recovery.

Norsk Resy has an agreement with the environmental authorities to recycle at least 80 % of the material used, a goal achieved and surpassed many years ago. This agreement is a part of a voluntary system in Norway for the recovery and recycling of packaging materials, and is similar to the agreements made for all other packaging materials. The system is financed through a packaging licence fee of all new corrugated- and solid board packaging used in Norway. Norsk Resy itself is not active in the market place, and the Resy-system is based on contracts with both private and public waste management companies, as well as the paper industry. According to these contracts, the waste management companies are obliged to receive sorted occ free of charge, and the paper industry is committed to recycle all the recovered materials. The environment comes out a winner when occ is recycled and used instead of virgin fibre for making new paper. Today, Norway grows more trees than we use â&#x20AC;&#x201C; i.e. for every two trees we use, there is regrowth equivalent to three trees.

Producer Responsibility Organizations

Balanced, responsible and environmentally friendly forestry is absolutely vital for the simple reason that healthy forests are the most important global consumer of CO2. In other words, recycling of occ helps improve the balance of greenhouse gases. Norwegian paper industry has been engaged in collection and recycling of occ in Norway since 1931. We know it works! Norsk Resy was established in 1992 by the corrugated industry, but is today owned by the paper industry, packers and fillers and retailers, in addition to the corrugated industry.

Norsk Resy AS Ekebergveien 1a, NO-0192 Oslo Tel: +47 22 01 21 20 Fax: +47 22 01 21 29 papp@resy.no www.resy.no 105

Services

Monster Worldwide Norway AS

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Services

Monster Worldwide Scandinavia AB Dronning Eufemias gt. 16, NO-0191 Oslo Tel: 23 00 59 70 kund@monster.no www.monster.no 107

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Services

Radonlab AS Specialists in radon measurement and protection Founded in 2004, Radonlab has rapidly established itself as the leading supplier and service provider in the field of radon measurements and protection.

Track-etch radon measurement in a school

Radonlab’s track-etch radon detector

Radon, the radioactive gas that originates in ground, water or building materials can give us high radiation dose. Tens of thousands die worldwide every year due to lung cancer caused by radon. Radonlab’s goal is to contribute to safer indoor environment by developing and applying innovative radon technology and making it available to everybody. Radonlab specializes in effective products and methods for radon measurement and protection of homes, workplaces and public buildings. Radon measurements in air Track-etch radon detectors are the most practical longterm measuring devices, widely used in private homes and workplaces for assessment of radon risk. Our class A certified track-etch laboratory processes several tens of thousands rack-etch detectors every month. Continuous radon monitoring in homes, workplaces, schools, tunnels, mines, power-plants, caves etc. by our trained staff is offered. A selection of state-of-art electronic instruments are used and offered for sale or rent. Measurements in the ground and water Before start of a building construction process it is useful to know the radon potential of the building ground. Several measurement techniques to evaluate ground radon potential are used. Our experienced consultants recommend necessary protective measures for all risk levels and types of construction. Measurements of radon concentration in drinking water are conducted on water samples.

Mitigation of high radon buildings Radonlab offers implementation of a wide range of technical measures for radon remediation. Our KlimaVakten and subslab extraction systems are already well known. We also test and install new equipment for effective radon protection for a variety of building types. In addition many ready-to-install products essential for radon reduction are offered for sale. Radon training courses Radon - measurements and mitigation is a series of courses for anyone who wants to obtain general and practical knowledge on how to measure and protect indoor environment against radon gas. References The company has many references including many Norwegian municipalities, associations of homeowners, real-estate owners, most major building companies, as well as international customers in Europe and Asia. Contact We prioritize extensive assessment of our customers’ needs to achieve a selection of the best methods and equipment to diagnose, recommend solutions and implement technical measures to eliminate, reduce or prevent a radon problems. Continuous radon measurement in a school

Services

Consultancy Where protective measures are needed to reduce indoor radon levels and improve air-quality we conduct special measurements and analyze the building. A report indicating optimal remedial actions for the building is produced. Radonlab’s consultants control and coordinate mitigation.

Radonlab AS Forskningsveien 1b, NO-0373 Oslo Tel: +47 21 96 03 50 Fax: +47 21 96 03 55 post@radonlab.no www.radonlab.no 109

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Torleiv N. Ugland General Manager HØST | verdien i avfall AS

Waste as a valuable resource the release of nutrients from our organic soil products. Shrimp shell is a waste that in earlier times was dumped back into the sea.

Being aware of the upcoming challenges within environmental protection and treatment of organic waste in the undeveloped world – HØST established business in China back in 2007. Our main arguments were “timing” and to be in position to take part in the growing business of sustainable treatment of organic waste, introduce environmental friendly solutions – and produce quality fertilizers for the growing Chinese market.

These are only two examples of how the circle should be closed by treating organic waste as a resource for production of fertilizers and plant growth stimulants rather than source for pollution.

In this aspect HØST is working with all kind of organic waste – and welcome all industries and enterprises having challenges connected to waste handling. While treatment of food waste, garden waste and sewage sludge represent the volumes – smaller waste streams might also represent interesting opportunities – when used in the right way.

Another example is our Armenian company ORWACO CJSC, producing biohumus based on surplus sludge from a biogas plant mixed with “Spent Mushroom Compost”, through vermicomposting. HØST develops new technology, aiming in industrialization of this intriguing way to process organic waste. Our biohumus has shown significant increase in yields and product quality when used as fertilizer in production of vegetables and potatoes in Armenia.

Many years of experience in the infancy and growth of waste management in Europe has given Norwegian companies a unique position and possibility to participate in the upcoming waste business in the fast growing markets in Asia and Africa. An opportunity that we hope many will seize.

Foreword - HØST valuable waste

According to UN, the world population will increase from 6, 5 billion to 8 billion inhabitants in 2025 – and 97 % of this growth takes place in Asia and Africa. Besides overpopulation – a remarkable increase in GDPs will take place. Both these factors will lead to an increase in waste volumes. Another interesting aspect is the change in food culture among people in the undeveloped world. It is expected that the demand of agricultural goods will increase by 70 % within 2050 – and the demand of meat will double in the same period. As a result the organic fraction of MSW will be more and more dominant – and it is expected that urban food waste will increase by 44 % globally between 2005 and 2025.

Shrimps shell is one of these examples, where HØST discovered how to use chitin as a part of our growth media as a guarantee for healthy plants – and a tool to increase 111

Agenturhuset waste treatment equipment

Agenturhuset is a leading company in the field of waste treatment equipment. We are total suppliers of waste solutions, and exclusive representatives for Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most advanced producers. Our clients include leading chains in a number of sectors, such as shopping centres, stores, hotels, restaurants, manufacturing, the fishing industry, shipping, property companies, oil companies, and municipal and government authorities and institutions.

Waste management

Our solutions mean, above all, that our clients no longer pay for the transport of air. In addition, the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working environment is improved while sorting at source helps to increase the volume of recycled waste.

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We have been in this business a long time, and it is with some pride that we can report that compactors supplied in the eighties are still making our customers happy! Please see our website for more information: www.agenturhuset.no

FROM WASTE TO ENERGY Pack-Station PS 800 Waste compactor with rotating drum in a cubic PE-bag Roto-Compactors, invented by BERGMANN, are an unique alternative for an efficient and CONTINUOUS waste collection directly at the place where waste is generated. For over 20 years, they have contributed with the highest compaction rates to minimize the costs of waste handling. Special characteristics of the Roto-Compactors are quiet, low-maintenance hydraulic drive, compaction in PE bags on standard pallets, minimised space requirements and a high quality standard of a product with a well-developed technology and design.

Foodgrinder with pump, tankhandling of foodwaste in large quantyties, i.e.reduced transport, to biogasplant.

Working process 1 Simple and continuous filling via the large-dimensioned filling chute. 2 Collection, crushing and compaction of the waste by a rotating special roller. 3 The highly compacted waste is in a PE bag, fitted before, with a standard pallet underneath, and can be removed easily. with a hand-operated lift truck. 4 The waste bundle, ready to be used, can be comfortably driven to the collection site.

Waste management

Agenturhuset Salg AS Industriveien 6, NO-1473 LĂ¸renskog Tel: +47 22 26 23 21 Fax: +47 22 27 53 83 kontor@agenturhuset.no www.agenturhuset.no 113

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Waste management

Cambi AS Improving the world’s ecological balance

Cambi’s patented Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) treats municipal and industrial biosolids and biowaste prior to anaerobic digestion. The process has been applied in more than 25 plants worldwide and the first has been in operation for more than 15 years. Cambi supplies turnkey projects that have a reputation for high performance digestion and reliability backed up by operational support. Biosolids & Biowaste As a pre-treatment of sewage sludge, wastes and other organic feedstock for digestion and biogas production, the Cambi process typically operates at 165-170°C. The organic matter is thereby dissolved into an easily digestible feed for efficient biogas production by anaerobic digestion, while all harmful organisms (pathogens) are being destroyed. The digestate dewaters very well and can be used as an efficient fertilizer. In fact, the Cambi process opens for a safe and economic recirculation of important micronutrients and in particular Phosphorus, a limited resource of fundamental importance to the world’s food production. Cambi is also looking at using the same technology in new applications for bio energy production and other bio renewable processes. Advantages • Higher biogas yields in small digesters due to high dry solids digestion of solubilized feed • Pathogen-free nutritious fertilizer (including Phosphorous) produced from sewage sludge and biowaste can be used as a bio-fertilizer in agriculture, or as an organic soil improver • Typically 50% or more mass reduction compared with conventional digestion • The process treats a wide variety of biological wastes and organic feedstock, including categories 2 and 3 animal by-products and can meet possible future regulatory enforcements regarding process temperature and holding time • All Cambi plants are designed as closed systems and minimize all potential smell/ odour • Mature reference plants that are proven to work on a wide variety of wastes including domestic household waste The Company Cambi AS is a privately owned company based in Norway. Cambi has offices in Denmark, UK, Poland, Germany, China and USA in addition to an international network of agents and representatives. Cambi has been involved in the development of environmental technology since 1989.

Waste management

Improving the World’s Ecological Balance • More biogas • High rate of digestion • Phosphorous recovery • End product halved • High flexibility

Cambi AS Skysstasjon 11A, NO-1383 Asker Tel: +47 66 77 98 00 Fax: +47 66 77 98 20 office@cambi.no www.cambi.com 115

HØST Verdien i avfall Resource Management

HØST has two meanings in the Norwegian language. Firstly, it can be translated as the season autumn and secondly it is the Norwegian word for harvest. Autumn is the time for harvesting the products of a rich and fertile soil. A rich soil contains humus, an abundant microbial flora and a balanced content of nutrients. HØST’s vision is to harvest the value of waste and thereby contribute to a healthy soil in the living planet.

Waste management

WASTE AS RESOURCE With industrialization, the understanding of nature’s needs for recycling waste from animals and people has been lost. Valuable organic materials and nutrients are burned in incinerators all over Europe. Additionally the world may be depleted of phosphorous, an essential mineral, within a not too distant future. Although the point at time is strongly debated. Organic material is always crucial for creating a fertile planet.

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HØST specializes in recycling and refining organic waste as this is a valuable resource that should be preserved. Waste can be utilized in energy production, food production and in the establishment of green areas that can be enjoyed by all. HØST aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse emissions which are destroying our planet. HØST has a goal of recycling waste to generate rich and fertile soil thereby creating a harmonic symbiosis between micro life and plants. HØST is a biological company handling organic waste. By combining knowledge and expertise within microbiology, soil chemistry, plant physiology, waste treatment and

energy production, the best solutions for our customers are developed. Additionally, our common responsibility to protect the planet is recognized. HØST is active throughout the entire value chain. It optimally increases the economic and biological value of the available resource and can therefore harvest the great value of waste. EFFICIENT CO-OPERATION HØST believes that a close and mandatory cooperation between private and public sector businesses is essential to face the challenges involved with managing organic wastes. HØST recognised early the value of developing joint ventures (private-public or private-private) as a tool for cooperation. HØST’s typical partner is a company with a waste problem. By good management, continuous working with R&D to secure the lead position in the market and vigorous promotion of quality ensured products, the joint ventures present positive results after a short period of market development.

HØST’s public partners in joint ventures today are Avfall Sør AS, IRMAT AS, IVAR, HIAS, GLT Avfall and GLØR. From the private sector Franzefoss Pukk AS, Miljøservice AS, Johny Birkeland Transport AS, Biomega AS and Shincon AS are all valued partners.

high costs for the industry. In 2003 HØST AS started working on an alternative method of handling sand from iron foundries which allowed it to be reused in the landscaping sector, primarily in close cooperation with the VESTAS group in Kristiansand.

PARTNER FOR PUBLIC WASTE COMPANIES In Norway waste processing and water treatment are municipal tasks and are mainly carried out by public companies. The waste treatment processes lead to organic residues that represent a problem and involve high treatment costs. HØST is capable of commercializing these organic residues at a competitive cost for the waste owner, and in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

Sand from the foundry industry may contain phenols and other pollutants that are considered harmful to the environment. HØST’s method, which involves stimulation of microbial degradation, gives a product of an acceptable quality that has been documented by the soil and environment division at Bioforsk. As a result of this development, HØST has obtained permission to use foundry sand in its propriety soil products. A notable bonus is that foundry sand adds iron sulphate to the soil which is useful in preventing the establishment of moss in lawns. Furthermore, the dark colour gives a warm and delicate appearance to the soil. Soil products with foundry sand are today produced by Agder Vekst AS in Kristiansand using sand from VESTAS and Mandal Casting. It is important to stress the need for close cooperation with the industrial partner. Their responsibility is quality assurance and managing the surplus sand according to defined standards, as instructed by HØST applying their own quality control system.

Over the last decade HØST has grown to be the largest producer of tailor-made bulk soil bends in Norway, treating up to 150 000 tons of waste per year, developing a variety of products and brands. Customers are landscapers, private gardeners, golf courses, road constructors, owners of mountain cabins etc. HØST produces growth products packaged in small bags for delivery to food chains and garden centres. HØST brands can be found in the biggest food chain in Norway - Norgesgruppen – by far the biggest actor in the Norwegian food market.

MINORGA® - waste based mineral organic fertilizer For the last three decades large investments in sophisticated waste water treatment plants have been made, which ensure that the effluents which are disposed of are clean. The amount of phosphorous and nitrogen taken out of waste water and concentrated in surplus sludge from these plants depends on local regulations and the tolerance of the surrounding environment. In Norway the preferred method to concentrate phosphorous has involved precipitation as an insoluble salt. In the larger plants stabilization of sludge is

Waste management

INDUSTRIAL PARTNER Besides being a selected partner for industries with challenges connected to their handling of organic wastes, companies producing inorganic wastes that can be used in landscaping may also find HØST an interesting company to work with. A good example of this is HØST’s long cooperation with the foundry industry. Sand from the foundry industry has always been a problem waste which has predominately been disposed of in landfill sites, leading to

HØST valuable waste Hasseldalen 3, NO-4878 Grimstad Tel: +47 37 09 09 00 Fax: +47 37 09 09 01 post@valuablewaste.com www.valuablewaste.com 117

HØST Verdien i Avfall Resource Management

Waste management

achieved through anaerobic digestion, delivering methane bearing biogas as a valuable product. The sludge contains substantial amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous. Together with IVAR (an inter municipality company operating plants for treating waste water and general waste in the Stavanger region), HØST started a pioneer project aimed at utilizing stabilized surplus sludge as a valuable nutrient with a rich organic core in a mineral organic fertilizer. The project was supported by Innovation Norway. Over the past 3 years the two companies have developed MINORGA®, a balanced fertilizer which is an organic alternative to mineral fertilizers. MINORGA® may also claim sustainability, as it recycles phosphorus to 100 % and a substantial amount of nitrogen as well. The typical N:P:K ratios of 10:2:5 are achieved through the addition of extra nitrogen and potassium salts, as well as other nutrient rich organic sources. Particle size, spreading ability and storage stability of MINORGA® meets the same quality requirements and standards as those for mineral fertilizers. Comprehensive field tests conducted over the last 4 years have proven MINORGA®’s ability to compete with mineral fertilizers.

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The handling of phosphorous rich sewage products has been another challenge for the sewage industry. Applying 20 – 40 tons of sewage sludge dry solids onto arable land, results in 500 – 1000 kg of P per hectare! The crop may only require 10-40 kg of P per hectare. This is a waste of a limited resource, and it may also cause pollution of water in the future. As a constituent part of MINORGA®, phosphorus from sludge becomes a part of a balanced fertilizer

China - the future market for MINORGA® Increasing fertilizer prices, worldwide demand for food and fertilizer and especially the need for organic material to ensure soil fertility has led HØST to introduce their promising new products into the Chinese market. Organic waste has a long tradition as a fertilizer in agriculture. In China, industrialization and the increasing introduction of environmentally harmful products and chemicals in waste water combined with the increasing effluent load from the population represent a huge challenge with regard to the recycling of organic materials. HØST’s focus on quality and its 15 years experience in the European

market represent a relevant background for entering the Chinese market, where the recycling industry and methods of waste treatment are still in their infancy. HØST and Shincon AS have established a partnership with the publically owned Yunnan Circular Economy Investment Co (YCEI) in the Yunnan province in China. YCEI has been given the task of ensuring and developing environmentally friendly treatment processes for solid waste by reducing the amount of waste disposed of in landfill sites. Yunnan has 46 mill inhabitants, and the plan is to establish a large number of waste treatment plants for solid waste in the coming years, using a patented technology of sorting, separating and hydrolysing of the organic fraction at high temperature and pressure. HØST’s and Shincon’s joint venture with YCEI; Yunnan Sino Norway Bioengineering Co Ltd will support this expansion by constructing fertilizer plants which can process the organic fraction at each site. The first operating plant - and model for the further expansion - will be established in the city Jinning. The annual capacity of this plant is 30 000 tons of a MINORGA® designed especially for Chinese crops and Chinese soil conditions. Vermicompost an intreaging solution for waste treatment More than 130 years ago the father of modern science, Charles Darwin wrote this about earth worms: ‘Without the work of this humble creature, who knows nothing of the benefits he confers upon mankind, agriculture, as we know it, would be very difficult, if not wholly impossible.’ Through our Armenian joint venture company ORWACO CJSC, HØST is introduced to the world of earth worms and the unique potential in using this creature in waste

handling. HØST finds it most instructive to see how different cultures have different attitudes to the values in organic approaches to waste handling. In Armenia vermicompost plays a significant role as contributor to a fruitful soil. On many small farms surplus manure and waste fractions are processed into organic fertilizer, which proves its superior all round qualities as supplier of nutrients, bacteria and humus. Funded through grants from Innovation Norway, HØST is in position to carry through research on improving waste handling through activities of earth worms as well as developing new technology aiming in industrialization of this fascinating processes. Within 2013 or early 2014 HØST looks forward to introduce a future system for producing vermicompost. ORWACO, Armenian – Norwegian Joint Venture exploiting the power of earthworms in refining waste Together with the Armenian Mushroom producer Aroghj Sunk and some minor share holders, HØST established the company ORWACO CSJC in 2011. The business idea is based on the model prevailing for all HØST projects, namely to refine high quality wastes into valuable products adjusted to green markets. The aim of ORWACO is to develop and industrialize vermicompost (composting through activity of earth worms) into solvent markets in Armenia as well as surrounding countries. An interesting aspect connected to our Armenian engagement is to weave waste recycling as the governing idea connecting 4 – 5 nearby companies together in a sustainable network exploiting energy, humus and nutrients included in what could be designated internal resources.

Waste management

HØST valuable waste Hasseldalen 3, NO-4878 Grimstad Tel: +47 37 09 09 00 Fax: +47 37 09 09 01 post@valuablewaste.com www.valuablewaste.com 119

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Waste management

Namdal Ressurs AS Namdal Ressurs AS is one of Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading Norwegian suppliers of waste collection and recycling equipment. One of our main goals is to supply modern, innovative solutions for the future. Most of our customers are local authorities or companies representing Norwegian municipalities. Ours is a wide product range: from plastic bags and bins to press containers with weighing systems and electronic systems for billing. In recent years, underground container systems have grown to become our biggest product group. We represent the Swiss manufacturer and remediation specialist Villiger in Norway and have supplied several projects for larger cities. These projects also involve electronic systems for access control and level measurement. Namdal Ressurs is in a strong financial position. Our main capabilities involve marketing and winning tenders in the waste management business in Norway, which makes us particularly attractive to manufacturers needing a distribution network in Scandinavia.

Waste management

Namdal Ressurs AS NO-7863 Overhalla Tel.: +47 74 28 17 65 Fax: +47 74 28 17 69 firmapost@namdalressurs.no www.namdalressurs.no 121

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Waste management

SAR AS AS turning waste turning wastetotovalue value Hammerfest Sandnessjøen Kristiansund Averøy Florø Bergen Stavanger

Jordan

Kuwait

Jeddah

Dubai

Kakinada

SAR is a co mpetitive an d high quality pro vider of drill ing waste treatment services During recent years SAR has invested more than 250 million NOK in drilling waste treatment facilities at Averøy and Sandnessjøen. We are set up to receive and treat large volumes of slop and drill cuttings. SAR`s treatment facilities utilise the best available technology (BAT) to reduce our customer’s environmental footprint to a minimum.

Waste management

SAR AS was established in 1987 and we offer our customers complete waste management services (Waste Chain Management WCM®) with emphasis on hazardous waste and drilling waste. We turn waste into value through consulting, management and our own treatment facilities. From our strategically placed locations along the Norwegian coast we are represented from Stavanger in the south to Hammerfest in the north. Our customers are mainly associated with offshore or onshore industry. With new ownership willing to support further investment in SAR, we will continue to strengthen our position on the Norwegian coast whilst also looking to build on our existing international businesses in the Middle East and India.

SAR AS SAR AS Oljeveien 5, NO-4056 Tananger Oljeveien 5, NO-4056 Tananger tel: 51 +47945144944444 44 Tel: +47 www.sargruppen.no www.sargruppen.no

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Waste management

Stiftelsen ReturGass – SRG The Refrigerant Management Program

SRG was established in 1990 and is today the main system for the collection and treatment of used halocarbon/ “Freon” gases covered by the Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol in Norway. Its aim is to prevent these environmentally hazardous substances from being released into the atmosphere. Substances that cannot be recycled or that are prohibited by law from further use are either incinerated at Norcem’s cement production plant in Norway or other approved incineration plants abroad.

Isovator has the most competent laboratory for analysis of synthetic refrigerants. It offers a variety of analyses to its customers. In 2010, Isovator was accredited by the Norwegian Accreditation Organ for its method of quantitative chemical analysis of refrigerant mixtures according to ISO 17025. In 2011, Isovator was appointed as the certification body for the European F-gas regulation in Norway. This involves certification of companies and personnel that are working with F-gases in refrigeration, air-conditioning, heat pump equipment, automobiles and fire extinguishing systems, as required by law. Services SRG mainly collects and processes used synthetic refrigerants such as CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs, and other related compounds including PFCs, SF6, halons and used compressor oils. While SRG is responsible for the collection and treatment of hazardous waste, Isovator provides the following services:

Waste management

In 1995, SRG established a daughter company, Isovator AS. Among a variety of services, Isovator is responsible for the operation and administration of SRG’s system for collection and handling of hazardous gaseous waste. In the past 15 years, more than 1500 tons of hazardous waste, mainly used refrigerants, has been treated through SRG’s system. Our competent personnel and a well-established system, guarantee that this is done in an environmentally friendly manner.

• Certification of companies and personnel according to the F-gas regulation • Analysis of all types of mixtures of synthetic refrigerants • Sale of recycled/ reclaimed refrigerants • Rental of gas cylinders • Various consulting and educational services

Stiftelsen ReturGass/ Isovator AS Horgenveien 227, NO-3300 Hokksund Tel.: +47 32 25 09 60 Fax: +47 32 25 09 69 post@returgass.no www.returgass.no 125

The Norwegian Packaging Association

Packaging

A Necessary Evil?

In order to understand the importance of packaging and the reason why significant resources are used to develop constantly better solutions, we must look more closely at the needs packaging addresses and the mechanisms which are set in motion when these needs have to be fulfilled. Firstly, the definition of what constitutes a good packaging solution is that it has to be cost effective to produce, it has to work optimally during packing and/or filling, it has to protect the product during transportation and in the store, it has to be easy for store employees to handle, it has to do a good job of selling the product on the shelves, it has to protect the product until it reaches the home of the

Waste management

consumer and it should be recyclable. Last, but not least, it has to be fully optimised.

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Optimal Solutions Optimisation is a word that is used frequently by those who work with packaging. By avoiding over packaging, or through changing shape or making the packing a few millimetres smaller, you can, among other things, achieve efficiencies through stacking more products on each pallet and therefore save many road journeys. However, optimisation must never be at the expense of protection. Comprehensive Regulations and Many Requirements Packaging producers and users must adhere to comprehensive regulations concerning the durability of packaging and how it is to be handled - manually and/or by machine - during packing and, to an increasing extent, in automated warehouses. There is a distinction between inner and outer packaging and there are different types of material used in different areas of use, such as cardboard, hard and soft plastic, paper, glass, and metal.

Waste management

The Norwegian Packaging Association Karenslyst allĂŠ 9 A P.O. Box 442 SkĂ¸yen, NO-0213 Oslo Tel: +47 22 12 17 60 emballasje@dne.no www.emballasjeforeningen.no 127

Waste management

The Norwegian Packaging Association

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One group that faces many challenges is the food industry. In addition to protecting and selling a product, the packaging used for food must also provide the products with maximum shelf life, be a barrier against bacteria, and withstand differences in temperature. This means that those working with packaging must adhere to stringent requirements. Another challenge are the new requirements brought about by demographic developments. There are more and more small households that consist of only one or two persons that necessitate smaller sizes of packaging. Our eating habits are subject to external influences and new kinds of food may require other types of packaging.

There are also challenges in relation to user friendliness. There is an ever increasing demand for designs suitable for all - solutions that are not perceived to be adapted for a particular group, but instead appear to be modern and generally user friendly. New Trends Packaging is also an exciting area for researchers. In addition to all the tasks that must be performed by the packaging while in use, it must also be recyclable. We are seeing various new trends in terms of development of materials. There will be a need for a significant uplift in expertise in the coming years in order to satisfy increasing packaging requirements.

Waste management

An Association for the Entire Value Chain The Norwegian Packaging Association represents the entire packaging value chain. Packaging producers, packaging users, and suppliers of machinery and technology to industry are among our many members. Our task is to facilitate a positive dialogue with the authorities on behalf of our members and act as a crucial link between the various stakeholders in an interdisciplinary cooperation to ensure the development of the best possible new packaging solutions. We are key members on various boards, committees, and juries, both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, we contribute to the development of expertise and knowledge through, among other things, courses, seminars, and operation of the School of Packaging.

The Norwegian Packaging Association Karenslyst allĂŠ 9 A P.O. Box 442 SkĂ¸yen, NO-0213 Oslo Tel: +47 22 12 17 60 emballasje@dne.no www.emballasjeforeningen.no 129

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Water

Clear Water 42 AS CW42®Technology, purification system that guarantees safe and clean drinking water

CW42®Technology - always clean and safe drinking water CW42®Technology purification system, provides pure and safe drinking water, regardless of the quality of the fresh water source. A CW42®Technology purification systems from Clear Water 42 guarantees clean drinking water at home, at school, at work, in the cabin, the boat and caravan or day-care centers, or any other location it will be installed.

a portable unit called Squad Unit. The Squad Unit provides clean water anywhere in the world, and it is able to operate without electricity. Large organizations such as the Norwegian Red Cross and WHO are using the Squad Unit in their disaster relief work. Since 2008, Clear Water 42 has delivered over 200 Squad Unit’s all over the world!

CW42®Technology purification is also used in medical context. Hospital and dental clinics are using this system to provide clean and bacteria-free water for autoclaves and dental chairs, and ensuring clean and safe water for their patients. CW42®Technology is also used in

Clear Water 42 is also providing clean and safe drinking water towards the B2B marked. Our unique patented purification system, CW42®Technology, combined with a water cooler, provides guaranteed clean and chilled drinking water in the office. Combining this with our

delicious coffee makes your employees effective and happy throughout a working day! Clear Water 42 Skolevann guarantees the students and faculty clean and safe drinking water at school. This will ensure that students will have easy access to chilled and healthy water throughout their day. Getting children and young people to drink enough water during a day will most likely help them to stay concentrated at school and help them towards a healthy lifestyle.

Water

Clear Water 42 AS Trollåsveien 8, NO-1414 Trollåsen Tel: +47 66 99 69 10 Fax: +47 66 99 69 11 post@cw42.no www.cw42.no 131

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Water

International Water Treatment Maritime AS Water treatment systems without use of chemicals Short reference list: • Marine customers • Royal Caribbean Cruises • Vela • Bergesen DY ASA • BP Shipping • Odfjell ASA • National Iranian Tankers • V-Ship • Star Cruises • The Torvald

Klaveness Group

• IMC Singapore • Tanker Pacific

IWTM was founded in 1992. Our main activity is nonchemical water treatment of any fresh water system to prevent corrosion. This is achieved by installing “ELYSATOR” in the different heating, cooling and steam generating systems in the industrial, housing and marine applications. History ELYSATOR is a Swiss product (reg. trademark) with more than 30 years of experience and with thousands of installations in all kinds of systems. (Industry, hospitals, private housing, food processing etc.) The first maritime installations were made in 1994. And now, thousands of Elysators has been successfully installed on vessels worldwide. Usage The Elysator can be used in any kind of closed or partially closed Systems with circulation (Marine and Industrial) where corrosion might occur. Marine: Elysators are installed into new buildings & existing vessels for all kind of fresh water systems where corrosion might occur. Cruise ships are an excellent example of the diversity of the Elysator. On these types of vessel they are used for protection of FW cooling systems, boilers, main engine cooling, airconditioning units, azipod propulsion and also potable hotwater.

Management

Land based customers: • Forsmark Nuclear

powerplant

• Oslo airpor

t Gardermoen

• Hotels, hospitals and

schools

(all over Scandinavia)

• Andøya rocketbase • Telenor AS (Norway

largest officebuilding,

26 systems.)

• Officee Buildings

(all over Scandinavia)

• Royal Norwegian

Defense

• Ministery (Airports, navy

bases, officebuildings

etc.....)

• Aprox 2500 installations in Scandinavia • TVO nuclear powerplant

(Finland)

Water

Industrial: Elysators are installed in many industrial systems including airports, dairies, food processing, power plants (also nuclear). They are also used in the central heating systems of many large housing and apartment complexes, hotels and hospitals.

IWTM Bjerkås Næringspark bygg 23, NO-3470 Slemmestad Tel: +47 31 28 71 71 Fax: +47 31 29 29 70 iwtm@iwtm.no www.iwtm.com 133

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Water

Filtralite Filter media for water and wastewater treatment Weber is one of the leading suppliers of building materials in Norway. Among the products produced are the expended clay filter media Filtralite. Clay is burned to make a porous ceramic product with very good properties for different types of treatment of wastewater and potable water. The main areas of use of Filtralite are: Municipal wastewater, municipal drinking water, on-site wastewater treatment and pretreatment for desalination.

Filtralite is used in wastewater treatment in Dalian, China.

and filtration followed by disinfection is a good method for producing good and safe drinking water. Filtralite has been installed in several such waterworks during the last years. The experiences from these plants, and pilot tests carried out, are that Filtralite, due to its porosity, allows longer filter runs than traditional filter media. This results in reduced water and energy consumption for cleaning the filters.

Filter bed with Filtralite for cluster of houses under construction in Norway.

Municipal wastewater Weber has during the last decade delivered Filtralite filter media to numerous wastewater treatment plants around the world. Treatment of wastewater is very important for avoiding pollution of the natural water resources. One of the main substances to remove from the wastewater is Nitrogen. Many wastewater treatment plants use Filtralite for nitrification and denitrification purposes. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;engineâ&#x20AC;? in these types of plants is bacteria that degrade the Nitrogen and Carbon substances in the water. These bacteria grow as a biofilm on the very porous and large surface area of the Filtralite filter media. Plants using this technology, called fixed film biofilters, have a significantly smaller footprint than more traditional biological treatment processes. Municipal drinking water Drinking water is our most important source of nutrients. To achieve good quality drinking water, different types of treatment are used. For these treatment processes Filtralite is an excellent filter media.

Biofilters with Filtralite at Yellow Quill Water Works, Canada.

Ground water often contains metals and minerals that should be removed before the water is consumed. Many of these contaminants are biodegradable, which means that biological treatment of the water is suitable. Filtralite has very good properties as filter media in these types of biofilters and have been delivered to huge waterworks, for instance in Hong Kong, but also in small waterworks in rural areas. One such small plant is located in Yellow Quill in Canada. In this plant the biofilters removes Iron, Ammonia, Arsenic and particles to low levels. On-site wastewater treatment In rural areas where no central treatment works are available, wastewater may have to be treated locally.

In such a filter bed plant the wastewater first goes to a septic tank. From the septic tank the water is pumped and sprayed over a biological prefilter with Filtralite, which degrades biodegradable matter. From the prefilter the water flows into the filter bed, which is filled with the special filter media Filtralite P that absorbs Phosphorus. After passing through the filter bed, the water can be disposed into most kinds of recipients. After about 15 years, the Filtralite P media will be saturated with Phosphorus. The media can then be used for soil conditioning, both for making the soil more porous and also adding the very important nutrient Phosphorus to the soil. Pretreatment for desalination Weber has delivered Filtralite for several desalination plants for filtration before reverse osmosis (RO). Filtralite has excellent properties for use in pretreatment filters in desalination plants, both in filters for filtration of coagulated water and in biological processes. Use of Filtralite will provide low SDI values, reduced danger of biofouling of the RO membranes and long filter runs between backwashes.

Water

If surface water is used as raw water source for the waterworks, coagulation

This can be done in a filter bed solution.

Saint-Gobain Byggevarer AS Brobekkveien 84, P.O. Box 216 Alnabru, NO-0614 Oslo Tel: +47 22 88 77 00 Fax: +47 22 64 54 54 info@weber-norge.no - www.filtralite.com 135

Company index by alphabetical order Agenturhuset Salg AS ..................................................................... 112 Alpha-InnoTec Norway ASs . ............................................................. 89 Aquateam AS .................................................................................... 80 Avantor ............................................................................................. 74 Bergfald Miljørådgivere .................................................................... 83 BI Norwegian Business School ......................................................... 87 Cambi AS . ....................................................................................... 115 Clear Water 42 AS ........................................................................... 131 ENTRO . ............................................................................................. 84 Geonor AS ......................................................................................... 78 HØST valuable waste ...................................................................... 116 International Water Treatment Maritime AS . ................................. 133 Kebony ASA ...................................................................................... 77 Monster Worldwide Norway AS ...................................................... 106 Namdal Ressurs AS ........................................................................ 121 Norsk Dekkretur A/S ........................................................................ 99 Norsk Resirk AS . ............................................................................ 100 Norsk Resy AS ................................................................................ 105 Norsk Teknisk Porselen AS . ............................................................. 90 Onsagers AS ..................................................................................... 92 Radonlab AS . .................................................................................. 109 Saint-Gobain Byggevarer as ........................................................... 135 SAR AS ............................................................................................ 123 Stiftelsen ReturGass/ Isovator AS .................................................. 125 The Norwegian Packaging Association ........................................... 126 YIT AS ............................................................................................... 95 Østfoldforskning AS .......................................................................... 96

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