Norway
Overview
Based on its emission reduction targets, Norway will still have 2.5 – 5 MT CO2eq to curb to reach net-zero by 2050. This is comparatively a small quantity considering the high CDR potential there, which could be met through a combination of the low-hanging bio-CCS potential and Norway’s reforestation plan alone.The significant remaining CDR potential could help the country go net-negative, provided the infrastructure development is also improving at a rate required for CDR deployment.
To put emissions in context, Norway’s oil and gas exports can lead to 400 – 500 MtCO2 of combustion emissions in importing countries. While these emissions may not be accounted for within the country’s borders, Norway has the opportunity to go beyond net-zero and support the global achievement of Paris Agreement targets. While CDR cannot compensate for ongoing fossil emissions, Norway can demonstrate global leadership in climate change mitigation by leading the development of CDR scale-up and potentially going net-negative,. Furthermore, owing to its CO2 storage capacity potential, Norway could also be a net CO2 importer to help store CO2 removed/captured in other countries. This underscores the critical importance of policy alignment and infrastructure enhancement to harness Norway’s substantial capacity for CDR and effectively contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Key Takeaways
Norway has strong renewable electricity and biomass potential to support CDR scaling, but slow development of new capacity could bottleneck energy-intensive technologies like DACCS and bio-CCS.
Norway is well-resourced in water and minerals (including the world’s largest olivine reserves), though ageing water infrastructure and the absence of quantified mineral estimates leave some uncertainty.
With over 121,000 km² of available land and an extensive coastline suited to kelp farming and ocean capture, Norway’s physical geography is broadly favourable for CDR deployment.
Norway already has substantial offshore CO2 storage experience and capacity, and could potentially become a net CO2 importer, storing carbon captured in other countries.
Norway has strong climate ambitions and useful existing policy levers, but tensions around oil and gas dependency, workforce gaps, and complex social dynamics – including indigenous Sami interests – will need careful management.
Bio-CCS and DACCS are the most promising near-term pathways, and Norway’s CDR potential is large enough not only to reach net-zero but to go net-negative and support global climate goals.
