Leisure and sustainable development in Norway: part of the solution and the problem

Abstract

The article presents the results of two succeeding Norwegian studies on the environmental impacts of leisure consumption. The first study presents data on the total consumption of leisure products and services by Norwegians, showing that leisure consumption increases more than everyday consumption, the most energy-intensive leisure activities increase the most, leisure activities have become more dependent on transportation and that leisure activities are to an increasing extent based on more material consumption. The second study consists of case studies from four leisure activities in Norway that have experienced the greatest increases in consumption over the last two decades: outdoor recreation clothing, cabins, leisure boating and leisure transportation. The case studies show that the problems connected with reducing the environmental impacts of leisure consumption are numerous and complex, and cannot be solved alone by technological improvements in leisure products and services. We conclude that new policies have to be developed which can on a short-term basis promote changes of leisure consumer habits in a more environmentally friendly direction, and on a long-term basis alter the existing strong links between economic growth and leisure consumption.

Time, gender and carbon: A study of the carbon implications of British adults' use of time

“…Similarly, in a study of the direct and indirect energy use associated with leisure activities by Norwegians in 2001, Aall et al (2011) found that the energy use per hour was lower for leisure activities within the home such as traditional games, and radio and television, and that activities requiring travel were in general more energy intensive per unit time. A notable exception to this was an exceptionally high energy intensity found for 'Redecoration.'…”

Sustainable Tourism in Practice: Promoting or Perverting the Quest for a Sustainable Development?

“…This idea is strongly embedded in the Norwegian tradition of outdoor recreation, as well as policy support for it [79]. The theory, or idea, that more leisure time will lead to less environmental problems, is however strongly questioned by empirical evidence [80][81][82].…”

Two Contrasting Scenarios for a Zero-Emission Future in a High-Consumption Society

“…Apart from primary dwellings, Norway has more than 423,000 holiday homes (cabins and apartments in mountain and coastal areas) with an annual growth of 5000, and almost half of Norwegians have access to a holiday home. The Norwegian holiday homes have undergone important changes including increase in size and per capita floor area, increase in technical standards, and shift from few long stays to many short stays [56]. These development trends towards spacious and luxury holiday homes will continue in future.…”