A call for increased focus on transport emissions
In the follow up to the successful Paris Agreement, the Nordic ministers for climate and the environment have issued a statement to call for an increased focus on emissions from the transport sector. This is very much in line with the work of the North Sea Region Programme and our projects.
Transport is one of the four priorities of the North Sea Region Programme, as our region's deep-water ports are a major international trade hub for most of Europe. Our projects develop innovations to reduce emissions, improve air quality and relieve congestion threatening the efficient flow of goods and people around the region and beyond.
Statement
"We, the Nordic ministers for climate and the environment welcome the paramount decision on a global durable agreement on combatting climate change in Paris. The Nordic countries stay committed to ambitious climate action and to transforming our societies towards highly energy efficient, low carbon and climate resilient economies.
We note that international transport emissions are not addressed specifically in the Paris agreement. International transport emissions are projected to grow by 50- 250% until 2050. If not addressed, this will undermine efforts in other sectors to stay well below 2°C.
The Nordic countries stress the importance of limiting and reducing emissions from international transport and will continue to work through the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization to achieve this end".
Read more on norden.org.
Photo: Danish minister of foreign affairs, Kristian Jensen, at the Nordic pavillion at COP21 (source: Vita Thomsen/ Norden.org)