Photo: John Yngvar Larsson
NORWAY’S ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2022
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Since 1992, the OECD has conducted more than 100 Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs). Nearly all OECD countries have been reviewed three times. Norway conducted three EPRs in 1993, 2001 and 2011.
PEER LEARNING
Encourage performance improvement and policy reforms through benchmarking and cross-country comparison
GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY
Spark national debate on environmental goals and how to best achieve them
POLICY DIALOGUE
Encourage peer learning through the exchange of best practices
The EPRs encourage gradual convergence towards the best performing countries.
P E E R R E VI E WS Peer reviews, where each country’s policy is examined by fellow members on an equal basis, have been used at the OECD for more than 50 years. Norway’s economic, fiscal, social and environmental performance has also been analysed in many sectoral studies and territorial reviews.
PEER REVIEWS
Wellbeing in Norway is high; GDP per capita is among the top-ranking countries and the country scores well in measures of inclusiveness. Several challenges must be addressed, however, if this good standing is to be sustained. The economy is vulnerable to trade risks. Also, though property markets and related credit appear to be heading for a soft landing, risks remain. Norway has substantial opportunities for more effective public spending remain, and exploiting these will become more important as fiscal space narrows. Productivity growth remains low, requiring attention to business policy. Employment rates among young and middle age cohorts have declined, and despite some positive trends many among older cohorts retire early. This is eroding Norway’s otherwise good record of strong labour supply and socio-economic inclusiveness through jobs. Chapter 2 of this Survey looks at this, and other aspects of Norway’s labour market. Policy issues covered include sick leave compensation and disability benefit, the old-age pension’s role in early retirement, education and skills, and immigrant integration. SPECIAL FEATURE: EMPLOYMENT
Northern Sparsely Populated Areas
The Development Assistance Committee: Enabling effective development
Northern Sparsely Populated Areas
December 2019
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The Economic Benefits of Air Quality Improvements in Arctic Council Countries
OECD Territorial Reviews
DECEMBER 2019
OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews NORWAY 2019
ISSN 0376-6438 2019 SUBSCRIPTION (18 ISSUES) ISBN 978-92-64-50339-7
NORWAY
This work is published on the OECD iLibrary, which gathers all OECD books, periodicals and statistical databases. Visit www.oecd-ilibrary.org for more information.
Volume 2019/23 December 2019
NORWAY 2019
TERRITORIAL REVIEWS
The Economic Benefits of Air Quality Improvements in Arctic Council Countries
Volume 2019/23
Consult this publication on line at https://doi.org/10.1787/c217a266-en.
OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews
OECD Economic Surveys NORWAY
OECD Territorial Reviews
NORWAY
OECD Economic Surveys
OECD Economic Surveys
SECTORAL ANALYSES
The OECD promotes a whole-of-government approach drawing on a broad range of expertise.
N O R W AY’ S R E V I E W The forth Environmental Performance Review of Norway assesses the country’s progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with a focus on sustainable land management and its impacts on biodiversity, nature and climate change. It evaluates Norway’s track-record against its national and international environmental objectives.
A N A LYS I S
Provide an independent, facts-based analysis of Norway’s environmental performance
B E N CH MA R K I N G
Provide cross-country comparisons. How does Norway perform compared to other OECD countries?
BEST PRACTICES & LESSONS LEARNED
Identify success stories, good practices and challenges. How could good practices be scaled up? What lessons can be learned from other countries or regions?
Source: Kartverket / Kommunal- og moderniseringsdepartementet
The review provides targeted policy recommendations.
KEY ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS
OBJECTIVES Have they been clearly defined? Are they based on an analysis of costs and benefits? Are they measurable?
ACT IO NS
RE S ULTS
INTENTIONS
What has been done to reach the objectives? Was it the most efficient and effective way to get there?
Do results match expectations? If yes, what are the drivers of success? If not, what obstacles should be overcome?
What are the plans to achieve the objectives? If results are not satisfactory, what actions are planned to correct the trajectory?
Within the context of Norway’s historical environmental record, natural resource endowment, economic and social conditions and in comparison with other countries.
CO N TE N T ASSESSMENT & RECOMMENDATIONS Main findings and policy recommendations in each area covered by the review. This section is approved by consensus with OECD countries.
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
Towards green, inclusive growth
Sustainable land use
The first chapter is streamlined across all reports. It includes a summary of key trends and an assessment of the environmental effectiveness and economic efficiency of the policy mix, including fiscal and economic instruments, regulatory and voluntary instruments.
This topic was selected by the Norwegian authorities in consultation with the OECD Secretariat.
ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT 2011 REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESULTS ACHIEVED
Flexible content responding to specific needs Tailored and targeted policy recommendations Access to data
ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS Climate change
Waste and materials
Air quality
Biodiversity
Freshwater resources
Oceans
The review provides an overview of key environmental trends and of Norway’s progress towards achieving national and international environmental targets.
GREEN, INCLUSIVE GROWTH POLICY MIX & COHERENCE How does Norway mobilise investment for a green, low-carbon and circular economy? How green is Norway’s tax system? Are there subsidies and incentives that are harmful to the environment? How well do businesses comply with environmental regulations?
Are objectives clearly defined? How does Norway measure progress in aligned policymaking? Which are the trade-offs and synergies between environmental, economic and social goals and policies?
How green and inclusive is Norway's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic?
The review identifies opportunities for improving policy implementation, effectiveness and coherence.
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE This thematic chapter assesses Norway’s progress towards sustainable land use and efforts to align land use with climate and biodiversity goals. It includes a systematic analysis of Norway’s institutional and policy frameworks for land use management.
How effective are the policies in place in ensuring a sustainable use of land? Is sustainability of land use mainstreamed across all sectors? How could Norway enhance the sustainable use of ecosystems and promote nature-based solutions? What does Norway do to promote sustainable land use beyond its borders?
Source: National Atlas for Norway © Norwegian Mapping Authority
The review provides targeted advice and good practices for the sustainable use of land.
TIMELINE
EPR virtual review mission
Policy mission to discuss main findings and recommendations at high level
Meeting with OECD countries to discuss Norway’s review
Preparatory phase: information collection
Jun 2021
LAUNCH
20-24
Sep
2nd week of
Dec
16
Feb Mar/Apr 2022
VIRTUAL REVIEW MISSION 20-24 September 2021 The OECD review team will meet with government and non-government stakeholders for an open dialogue and discussion on Norway’s environmental performance in the last decade. This will complement collected information and provide the basis for the drafting of the review.
What has worked well and why? What has not worked so well and why? What are priority areas for improvement? What lessons can be learned for the future? What do the national and local governments, businesses and civil society need to do to improve Norway’s environmental performance?
The review mission will gather examples of success stories, best practices, challenges and identify potential recommendations.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS Central government
Regional government
Departments and agencies in charge of environmental policymaking and implementation Other departments and agencies
Local government
Business organisations Trade unions
Environmental NGOs Independent experts
The review draws on a large variety of information sources and diversity of viewpoints.
OECD REVIEW TEAM Reviewing countries
OECD Secretariat Nathalie Girouard Head of Division, ENV/EPI Strategic Oversight
Finland
Ivana Capozza EPR Programme Manager Strategic Oversight Roger Martini Senior Policy Analyst Sustainable land use Julia Wanjiru EPR Co-ordinator Green, inclusive growth Carla Bertuzzi Statistician
United States
Fiona Smyth Assistant CONTACTS:
julia.wanjiru@oecd.org fiona.smyth@oecd.org
Photo: Andreas Trepte