natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
No politician should need to spend much time arguing whether climate change is a threat.
No politician should need to spend much time arguing whether climate change is a threat.
We know it is.
We know it is.
The point of departure for any politician, any minister and any government is that climate change is happening, and that if we fail to act, the consequences will be disastrous.
The point of departure for any politician, any minister and any government is that climate change is happening, and that if we fail to act, the consequences will be disastrous.
In short, global warming is the greatest political and moral challenge facing our generation.
In short, global warming is the greatest political and moral challenge facing our generation.
Lord Stern has provided us with the same insight using an economist’s logic and reasoning.
Lord Stern has provided us with the same insight using an economist’s logic and reasoning.
In addition he has made a crucial contribution to our understanding of what we need to do in order to both curb emissions and at the same time adapt to the climate change that is already happening as we speak.
In addition he has made a crucial contribution to our understanding of what we need to do in order to both curb emissions and at the same time adapt to the climate change that is already happening as we speak.
Allow me to share with you a few approaches from a Norwegian standpoint – i.e. from my perspective – to this dual challenge of mitigation and adaptation.
Allow me to share with you a few approaches from a Norwegian standpoint – i.e. from my perspective – to this dual challenge of mitigation and adaptation.
Being in Stockholm, I am tempted to quote the words of the great Swedish statesman and internationalist the late UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld: “Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road”.
Being in Stockholm, I am tempted to quote the words of the great Swedish statesman and internationalist the late UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld: “Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road”.
We know the horizon of the IPCC.
We know the horizon of the IPCC.
We also know that the way we choose to provide the energy needed by the world economy will determine our ability to find the right road.
We also know that the way we choose to provide the energy needed by the world economy will determine our ability to find the right road.
We recently learned about the energy horizon presented by the IEA, the International Energy Agency.
We recently learned about the energy horizon presented by the IEA, the International Energy Agency.
If we believe in the findings of the IPCC and the IEA’s scenarios for future energy consumption, we know we are heading for real trouble.
If we believe in the findings of the IPCC and the IEA’s scenarios for future energy consumption, we know we are heading for real trouble.
According to the IEA, global demand for energy will increase by 45% by 2030, because national economies, despite the current downturn, will continue to need energy to grow, to provide jobs, to create welfare, to combat poverty.
According to the IEA, global demand for energy will increase by 45% by 2030, because national economies, despite the current downturn, will continue to need energy to grow, to provide jobs, to create welfare, to combat poverty.
Especially to combat poverty and put hundreds of millions of people onto the ladder of development.
Especially to combat poverty and put hundreds of millions of people onto the ladder of development.
No government will decide against that.
No government will decide against that.
The Brundtland Commission put it very clearly back in 1987: “There is no way the rich countries can turn to the developing world and say: Sorry, we filled up the waste baskets...”.
The Brundtland Commission put it very clearly back in 1987: “There is no way the rich countries can turn to the developing world and say: Sorry, we filled up the waste baskets...”.
The developing countries will – and have the right to – develop and to expand.
The developing countries will – and have the right to – develop and to expand.
If no new policies are introduced and if the energy mix remains the same as today, global average temperature is predicted to increase by six degrees Celsius by the end of this century.
If no new policies are introduced and if the energy mix remains the same as today, global average temperature is predicted to increase by six degrees Celsius by the end of this century.
The result will be a global disaster.
The result will be a global disaster.
In order to prevent this, we must cut global greenhouse gas emissions by between 50 and 85% by 2050.
In order to prevent this, we must cut global greenhouse gas emissions by between 50 and 85% by 2050.
Probably closer to 85% than 50%.
Probably closer to 85% than 50%.
And here is my first point: cutting emissions is key.
And here is my first point: cutting emissions is key.
But cutting energy consumption, beyond what can be saved through improved energy efficiency, is extremely hard to envisage – and not necessarily desirable.
But cutting energy consumption, beyond what can be saved through improved energy efficiency, is extremely hard to envisage – and not necessarily desirable.
The key is to reduce emissions.
The key is to reduce emissions.
Here Sweden has a compelling story.
Here Sweden has a compelling story.
For a long time, the link between economic growth and rising emissions was regarded as a law of nature.
For a long time, the link between economic growth and rising emissions was regarded as a law of nature.
In the world as a whole, economic growth is still becoming more, not less, carbon intensive.
In the world as a whole, economic growth is still becoming more, not less, carbon intensive.
But for the last eight years, Sweden has reduced emissions significantly while maintaining economic growth.
But for the last eight years, Sweden has reduced emissions significantly while maintaining economic growth.
Sweden started on the road towards the clean energy horizon many years before climate change was raised to the top of the international agenda.
Sweden started on the road towards the clean energy horizon many years before climate change was raised to the top of the international agenda.
Over a period of more than 30 years, Sweden has pursued a policy of energy diversification.
Over a period of more than 30 years, Sweden has pursued a policy of energy diversification.
The transition to renewable energy sources has spurred innovation and created new jobs and at the same time improved the environment.
The transition to renewable energy sources has spurred innovation and created new jobs and at the same time improved the environment.
This successful approach is an inspiration to my own country and to the rest of the world.
This successful approach is an inspiration to my own country and to the rest of the world.
Renewable energy has a great potential in efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable energy has a great potential in efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
This sector has a two-digit growth rate, but let us not forget that it has started from a very low level.
This sector has a two-digit growth rate, but let us not forget that it has started from a very low level.
If current trends continue, renewables may be able to provide about 20% of the global cuts that we must achieve by 2050.
If current trends continue, renewables may be able to provide about 20% of the global cuts that we must achieve by 2050.
But renewables will only provide us with part of the solution.
But renewables will only provide us with part of the solution.
In the foreseeable future, fossil fuels will account for the largest share of the global energy mix.
In the foreseeable future, fossil fuels will account for the largest share of the global energy mix.
According to the IEA, 80% of global energy demand will be met by fossil fuels in 2030.
According to the IEA, 80% of global energy demand will be met by fossil fuels in 2030.
About the same mix as today.
About the same mix as today.
A consumption growth of 50% with an energy mix in which fossil fuels continue to account for 80% is clearly not sustainable.
A consumption growth of 50% with an energy mix in which fossil fuels continue to account for 80% is clearly not sustainable.
So we need to focus serious attention on how we can cut emissions from fossil fuel consumption, how we can produce electricity from oil, gas and coal with significantly lower emissions.
So we need to focus serious attention on how we can cut emissions from fossil fuel consumption, how we can produce electricity from oil, gas and coal with significantly lower emissions.
In short, we need to develop technologies that can capture and safely store CO2.
In short, we need to develop technologies that can capture and safely store CO2.
If we are to stabilise the concentration of CO2 at a sustainable level, preferably one that limits global warming to two degrees Celsius, carbon capture and storage, CCS, is an imperative.
If we are to stabilise the concentration of CO2 at a sustainable level, preferably one that limits global warming to two degrees Celsius, carbon capture and storage, CCS, is an imperative.
Pure and simple.
Pure and simple.
Think about this: the global reserves of coal are estimated to last for more than 250 years.
Think about this: the global reserves of coal are estimated to last for more than 250 years.
In the years ahead, demand for coal is expected to rise more in absolute terms than demand for any other fuel.
In the years ahead, demand for coal is expected to rise more in absolute terms than demand for any other fuel.
There is little doubt about that.
There is little doubt about that.
Recent studies suggest that carbon capture and storage technology could reduce CO2 emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants by between 85% and 95%.
Recent studies suggest that carbon capture and storage technology could reduce CO2 emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants by between 85% and 95%.
According to the IPCC, carbon capture and storage could contribute 15–55% to the overall mitigation effort this century.
According to the IPCC, carbon capture and storage could contribute 15–55% to the overall mitigation effort this century.
It could also reduce the costs of stabilising CO2 concentrations by up to 30%.
It could also reduce the costs of stabilising CO2 concentrations by up to 30%.
CCS technology will have to be installed in thousands of coal- and gas-fired power plants worldwide.
CCS technology will have to be installed in thousands of coal- and gas-fired power plants worldwide.
We need to develop this CCS technology further, bring it up to scale and make it available – across the globe.
We need to develop this CCS technology further, bring it up to scale and make it available – across the globe.
We are not starting from scratch.
We are not starting from scratch.
Norway, the world’s second largest exporter of gas, has gained experience that brings hope.
Norway, the world’s second largest exporter of gas, has gained experience that brings hope.
Let me share some aspects with you:
Let me share some aspects with you:
We have long experience of storing CO2 in natural geological structures under the seabed.
We have long experience of storing CO2 in natural geological structures under the seabed.
At the Sleipner Field, off the west coast of Norway, a total of 10 million tonnes of CO2 has been stored 1000 metres under the seabed during the past 12 years.
At the Sleipner Field, off the west coast of Norway, a total of 10 million tonnes of CO2 has been stored 1000 metres under the seabed during the past 12 years.
This came about because we put a tax on CO2 in 1993.
This came about because we put a tax on CO2 in 1993.
We created real incentives for the petroleum industry to limit emissions.
We created real incentives for the petroleum industry to limit emissions.
Industry turned around and came up with an answer: capture of CO2 and re-injection into the reservoirs.
Industry turned around and came up with an answer: capture of CO2 and re-injection into the reservoirs.
The data from the Sleipner project show no unexpected movement in the storage reservoir and no sign of leakage.
The data from the Sleipner project show no unexpected movement in the storage reservoir and no sign of leakage.
Multinational research projects, financed by the EU, have confirmed that the CO2 is confined securely within the storage reservoir.
Multinational research projects, financed by the EU, have confirmed that the CO2 is confined securely within the storage reservoir.
This reservoir is huge.
This reservoir is huge.
The Norwegian Government has taken this one significant step further.
The Norwegian Government has taken this one significant step further.
At the Mongstad refinery close to Bergen, we are testing the viability of our plans for a full-scale plant producing electricity with gas without emissions - with capture and storage of CO2 to the geological reservoirs under the seabed in the North Sea.
At the Mongstad refinery close to Bergen, we are testing the viability of our plans for a full-scale plant producing electricity with gas without emissions - with capture and storage of CO2 to the geological reservoirs under the seabed in the North Sea.
Vattenfall is one of our main partners at the Mongstad test centre.
Vattenfall is one of our main partners at the Mongstad test centre.
We are building on our experience from Sleipner and we aim to take it further and have an industrial-scale carbon capture facility operational by 2014.
We are building on our experience from Sleipner and we aim to take it further and have an industrial-scale carbon capture facility operational by 2014.
The goal is to capture 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 per year from a combined heat and power plant, and an additional 1.1 million tonnes from a refinery.
The goal is to capture 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 per year from a combined heat and power plant, and an additional 1.1 million tonnes from a refinery.
These numbers may seem small, but they are significant.
These numbers may seem small, but they are significant.
In 2008, Norway started the world’s first CO2 injection project.
In 2008, Norway started the world’s first CO2 injection project.
CO2 is separated from natural gas at an onshore liquefied natural gas plant and then piped back 160 km to the Snøhvit field in the Barents Sea, off Hammerfest, where it is injected and stored in a geological formation 2600 metres under the seabed.
CO2 is separated from natural gas at an onshore liquefied natural gas plant and then piped back 160 km to the Snøhvit field in the Barents Sea, off Hammerfest, where it is injected and stored in a geological formation 2600 metres under the seabed.
When full production is reached, 700 000 tonnes of CO2 will be captured and stored annually.
When full production is reached, 700 000 tonnes of CO2 will be captured and stored annually.
Statoil and BP are doing the same off the coast of Angola.
Statoil and BP are doing the same off the coast of Angola.
This is, of course, an expensive undertaking.
This is, of course, an expensive undertaking.
It will not happen if left to the markets alone.
It will not happen if left to the markets alone.
It took a lot of explaining to open the eyes of EU regulatory bodies to the need for state aid.
It took a lot of explaining to open the eyes of EU regulatory bodies to the need for state aid.
Without state aid the necessary research will not be carried out.
Without state aid the necessary research will not be carried out.
But now we have been given the green light.
But now we have been given the green light.
If we succeed, this project will be a major achievement.
If we succeed, this project will be a major achievement.
What will provide real hope will be if we are able to take the next major step.
What will provide real hope will be if we are able to take the next major step.
The Norwegian CCS projects will only be really meaningful if they help to make the technology commercially viable and financially and technologically accessible to emerging economies, especially those primarily coal-based.
The Norwegian CCS projects will only be really meaningful if they help to make the technology commercially viable and financially and technologically accessible to emerging economies, especially those primarily coal-based.
Earlier this year, the G8 countries stated that 20 large-scale CCS demonstration projects need to be launched by 2010, with a view to broad commercial deployment by 2020.
Earlier this year, the G8 countries stated that 20 large-scale CCS demonstration projects need to be launched by 2010, with a view to broad commercial deployment by 2020.
That is a clear and timely political signal.
That is a clear and timely political signal.
EU leadership will also be crucial.
EU leadership will also be crucial.
The EU’s objective of launching up to 12 pilot projects is also a clear message.
The EU’s objective of launching up to 12 pilot projects is also a clear message.
We hope to see Mongstad among these 12 projects.
We hope to see Mongstad among these 12 projects.
Financial mechanisms and incentives are needed to commercialise this key technology.
Financial mechanisms and incentives are needed to commercialise this key technology.
The Kyoto Protocol encourages CCS projects, and hopefully the ongoing UN Climate Conference in Poland will finally approve the criteria for CCS projects in the Clean Development Mechanism.
The Kyoto Protocol encourages CCS projects, and hopefully the ongoing UN Climate Conference in Poland will finally approve the criteria for CCS projects in the Clean Development Mechanism.
Both in Norway and Sweden, projects are under way to improve the technology and reduce the costs of carbon capture.
Both in Norway and Sweden, projects are under way to improve the technology and reduce the costs of carbon capture.
At Värtaverket here in Stockholm, Swedish and Norwegian companies have been working together on a pilot project to test techniques for CO2 capture.
At Värtaverket here in Stockholm, Swedish and Norwegian companies have been working together on a pilot project to test techniques for CO2 capture.
Another important project is running at the power plant in Karlshamn.
Another important project is running at the power plant in Karlshamn.
I believe that Norway and Sweden can both gain a lot by pooling our resources and technological skills to make progress on CCS.
I believe that Norway and Sweden can both gain a lot by pooling our resources and technological skills to make progress on CCS.
Capturing the CO2 is one thing.
Capturing the CO2 is one thing.
Transporting and storing it is another.
Transporting and storing it is another.
Successful deployment of CCS worldwide will depend on environmentally sound technologies for transport and storage of CO2.
Successful deployment of CCS worldwide will depend on environmentally sound technologies for transport and storage of CO2.
We see this demonstrated in the ongoing discussions regarding pipelines in the Barents Sea.
We see this demonstrated in the ongoing discussions regarding pipelines in the Barents Sea.
We have worked actively to improve the international legal framework for CCS.
We have worked actively to improve the international legal framework for CCS.
The two main legal instruments are the London Protocol and the OSPAR Convention.
The two main legal instruments are the London Protocol and the OSPAR Convention.
The latest amendments to these were adopted in 2006 and 2007, and will be important in making it possible to implement CCS.
The latest amendments to these were adopted in 2006 and 2007, and will be important in making it possible to implement CCS.
Furthermore, the EU Commission’s draft directive on geological storage of CO2 is another important development.
Furthermore, the EU Commission’s draft directive on geological storage of CO2 is another important development.
However, additional changes in the London Protocol are required to legalise cross-border transport of CO2 for offshore storage in another country.
However, additional changes in the London Protocol are required to legalise cross-border transport of CO2 for offshore storage in another country.
Such changes could provide a great opportunity for closer cooperation between Sweden and Norway.
Such changes could provide a great opportunity for closer cooperation between Sweden and Norway.
Imagine, perhaps one day CO2 from Sweden will be transported to Norway for storage in Norwegian offshore reservoirs.
Imagine, perhaps one day CO2 from Sweden will be transported to Norway for storage in Norwegian offshore reservoirs.
And perhaps similar storage will used throughout Europe.
And perhaps similar storage will used throughout Europe.
Let me sum up a few points:
Let me sum up a few points:
We must grasp the opportunities and make rapid and cost-effective cuts in emissions.
We must grasp the opportunities and make rapid and cost-effective cuts in emissions.
We need to refine and expand the allowance trading schemes.
We need to refine and expand the allowance trading schemes.
Europe has come far.
Europe has come far.
Norway will continue to be a member of the EU trading scheme.
Norway will continue to be a member of the EU trading scheme.
Perhaps we can now dare to hope that the Obama administration will establish an American scheme.
Perhaps we can now dare to hope that the Obama administration will establish an American scheme.
Perhaps we will also see an Asian scheme emerge.
Perhaps we will also see an Asian scheme emerge.
And perhaps we will one day see a global allowance trading scheme.
And perhaps we will one day see a global allowance trading scheme.
In short, we need to put a price on CO2.
In short, we need to put a price on CO2.
And I envisage the day when each individual on Earth has an individual quota of climate gas emissions.
And I envisage the day when each individual on Earth has an individual quota of climate gas emissions.
That would unleash a much needed transfer of resources from the rich to the poor, from those – like us – whose consumption is far above any imaginable individual quota.
That would unleash a much needed transfer of resources from the rich to the poor, from those – like us – whose consumption is far above any imaginable individual quota.
At the same time, we must make determined and systematic efforts to move towards the long-term goal of a carbon-neutral economy.
At the same time, we must make determined and systematic efforts to move towards the long-term goal of a carbon-neutral economy.
Climate technology must be made commercially viable as soon as possible.
Climate technology must be made commercially viable as soon as possible.
We must encourage investments in renewable energy and CCS technology, mainly by putting an international price on carbon.
We must encourage investments in renewable energy and CCS technology, mainly by putting an international price on carbon.
Global warming must be seen as market failure.
Global warming must be seen as market failure.
Once CO2 emissions have a price, investments in renewable energy and carbon capture and storage will become more profitable.
Once CO2 emissions have a price, investments in renewable energy and carbon capture and storage will become more profitable.
And so will investments in energy efficiency and in innovative research and development of new technologies.
And so will investments in energy efficiency and in innovative research and development of new technologies.
This will, however, not be enough.
This will, however, not be enough.
We will need new regulations to guide both investments and consumption.
We will need new regulations to guide both investments and consumption.
But they will be of little use unless we get the economy to work sustainably.
But they will be of little use unless we get the economy to work sustainably.