NGOs: Norway’s oil leases in Arctic violate Paris Agreement

On Tuesday, two environmental groups took on the Norwegian government in court, arguing that the country’s plan for opening up new areas in the Arctic to oil drilling violates the Paris Agreement, as well as the Norwegian constitution.

The plaintiffs, Greenpeace and ‘Nature and Youth’, argue that the Norwegian government has violated the right to a healthy and safe environment for future generations granted by the Norwegian Constitution. This will be the first time this right is used in court.

In particular, for the first time in 20 years, the Norwegian government decided to open up a new oil drilling area in the Barents Sea, allowing 13 oil companies to start new exploration campaigns in the Arctic, Greenpeace claims. Norwegian state-owned Statoil has already begun their drilling operations in the Arctic this summer.

Further, as Norway is the world’s largest oil and gas producer and exporter, government representatives at the trial Tuesday pointed out that this case is a publicity stunt and it would cost jobs if it is successful, Reuters reported.

    Ingrid Skjoldvær, Head of Nature and Youth, said: “The Norwegian government, like every government, has an obligation to protect people’s right to a healthy environment. It is us in the younger generation, and our children, who will feel the worst effects of this oil being burned. This court case is giving us a critical opportunity to protect our futures and, we hope, providing a valuable tool for others to do the same.”

Norway is on the frontline of climate change, Alisi Nacewa, Pacific Island Represent activist, also pointed out. Namely, she added that the continuation of oil and gas extraction, can no way deliver a world below 1.5 degrees.

    “The Norwegian government has signed the Paris Agreement but they continue to drill for oil and supply the world with more fossil fuels. The two are in complete contradiction. It’s time to hold countries accountable for breaking their Paris commitments.”