The Scope of Action for Local Climate Policy: The Case of Norway

Abstract

One of the key features of the post-Rio era has been how global environmental governance is mediated between local, national and global levels of government. In this article, we draw on experiences from local climate policy planning in Norway in order to discuss the ways in which climate change enters into a municipal policy setting. Based on the Norwegian case, supplemented with knowledge gained from an international literature review, we present a typology of six different categories of local climate policy. We highlight that local actors can both play the role as a structure for the implementation of national or international climate objectives, as well as that of being policy actors taking independent policy initiatives. We emphasize how the relationship between national and local authorities is a crucial factor if climate policy as a specific local responsibility should be further strengthened. (c) 2007 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Concerned consumption. Global warming changing household domestication of energy

“…Thus, living in a community valuing climate mitigation efforts may make households become engaged in sustainable energy practices (Aall et al, 2007;Barr and Gilg, 2006;. To understand the logic of household energy consumption, one may also analyze empirically the actual economic practices of energy use.…”

Cities, Climate Change and Multilevel Governance

“…11 These groups have given an institutional foundation to concerted effort and collaboration on climate change at city level (Aall et al, 2007). Horizontal coordination at the local level is not just about international associations of local authorities.…”

“…With these funds, 26 projects were supported involving 37 of 435 municipalities and 8 out of 19 counties. In addition to financial help, a web-based information source and emissions calculation tool was put in place by the national government (Aall et al 2007). In the development of climate plans, national financial support appears to have been a key catalyst as only one municipality was reported to have taken action without grant support.…”

“…In the development of climate plans, national financial support appears to have been a key catalyst as only one municipality was reported to have taken action without grant support. However, while plans have been established, it appears that implementation has stalled as funding has not been available to municipalities to support the implementation of the programs (Aall et al 2007). …”

Strategies and Implications for Network Participation in Regional Climate and Energy Planning

“…Both these administrative levels need to play key roles in implementing national energy and environmental strategies and in formulating their own strategies. Local and regional authorities often also become key actors in areas such as energy planning, energy advisory activities, Agenda 21 activities, and fighting climate change (see e.g., Palm, 2006;Aall et al, 2007;Baker & Eckerberg, 2007;Betsill & Bulkeley, 2007;Burch, 2010;Narodoslawsky & Stoeglehner, 2010). It is in the regions and municipalities that ambitious national and international policies and goals are put into practice.…”