Oslo, January 31, 2026 – The Europe Today: Nearly half of all municipalities in Norway reported lower carbon emissions last year, while around 80 percent have achieved emission reductions over the past decade, according to newly released figures from the Norwegian State Environmental Directorate.
The data shows that the most significant contribution to the reduction came from decreased road traffic. However, emissions from agriculture, shipping, and aviation have increased since 2023, highlighting ongoing challenges in certain sectors.
Despite these concerns, Norway’s Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen emphasized the positive developments while commenting on the latest figures. He stated that local governments, known as kommuner in Norwegian, play a crucial role in the country’s climate strategy.
“When emissions fall locally, that has an impact nationally. The reduction shows that we’re moving in the right direction,” Eriksen said.
He further stressed that it is “decisive” for municipalities to continue strengthening their climate efforts in the coming years to maintain progress.
Nevertheless, the majority of Norway’s overall emissions still originate from its oil industry, which is expected to continue expanding and increasing production, posing a significant challenge to the country’s long-term climate goals.
