Norway's Pollution: A Country's Battle Against Environmental Threats

Norway has been taking steps to reduce air pollution and improve overall air quality. Despite its efforts, the country has faced challenges in meeting its goals, with varying levels of pollution across different regions. In 2019, Sarpsborg, Ostfold was recorded as the most polluted city, while Bodo, Nordland had the cleanest air. Norway's capital, Oslo, has also struggled with air quality issues, particularly with PM10 pollution. The country aims to transition to a low-emission society by 2050 and has implemented measures such as incentives for electric vehicles and stricter regulations on emissions. While air pollution levels have been relatively stable over the last decade, certain pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), continue to pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups.

Oslo's air quality problem

Despite its reputation as one of Europe's greenest cities, Oslo, Norway's capital, has a persistent air quality problem. The city is known for its many zero-emission electric vehicles and miles of urban forest. However, in February, levels of PM10 pollution—from tiny but harmful airborne particles less than 10 millimetres in diameter—reached levels deemed excessive by Norwegian law (50 mg per cubic metre) at all but one of the city's air quality monitoring stations.

Air pollution in Oslo has decreased over the past 50 years, but more efforts are needed to meet the limit values in pollution control regulations. Road traffic and domestic heating are the main sources of air pollution in Oslo. Both short-term and long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter can cause adverse health effects, with vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular issues being particularly at risk.

In 2024, the measuring point nearest the city's environment agency recorded excessive levels of particulate pollution on 95 days, almost three times the 35-day limit set by the European Union. During particularly dusty hours, the authorities observed spikes in pollution levels comparable to those of an industrialised hub in China.

To address the air quality issue, the City Government has set higher standards for air quality in Oslo, in line with the Norwegian health authorities' recommendations. However, additional measures are necessary to meet these goals. The limit values for particulate matter were lowered in 2016, and heavy traffic areas in Oslo now risk failing to comply with these new limits without further action.

Exceedances of the daily limit value often occur due to the use of studded tyres and wood burning during dry and cold winter periods. To improve air quality, the municipalities can introduce queue pricing or increased tolls on days with high air pollution to discourage traffic and reduce emissions. They can also set environmental requirements for taxis and differentiate toll rates based on vehicle pollution levels.

Norway's pollution-reducing initiatives

Norway has implemented several initiatives to reduce pollution and combat climate change. Here are some key examples:

Climate and Clean Air Coalition

Norway partnered with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in 2012. This partnership aims to promote action on climate change and clean air, reducing the rate of global warming and addressing air pollution. Norway has focused on reducing short-lived climate pollutants like methane, black carbon, and HFCs, as well as long-lived gases like CO2.

Arctic Council and the Fairbanks Declaration

As a member of the Arctic Council, Norway signed the Fairbanks Declaration in 2017. The declaration acknowledges the dramatic rate of warming in the Arctic, largely due to short-lived climate pollutants. The council set a target to reduce black carbon emissions by 25-33% below 2013 levels by 2025, recognizing the impact of black carbon on the Arctic's melting ice and glaciers.

International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI)

Norway has pledged NOK 3 billion (USD 343 million) annually as part of the NICFI to reduce deforestation in other countries. This initiative contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve forests as carbon sinks.

Transport Sector Emission Reduction

Norway has prioritized reducing emissions in the transport sector, particularly road transport. Between 2015 and 2020, emissions from road transport decreased by almost a fifth. The government has invested in expanding the rail network and improving public transport services. Oslo, the capital, aims to become a car-free city, encouraging alternative modes of transportation like biking and electric vehicles.

Methane Pledge at COP26

Given Norway's significant oil and gas sector and associated methane emissions, signing the methane pledge at COP26 was a crucial step. Norway committed to reducing methane emissions, which is essential as methane is a potent greenhouse gas.

Renewable Energy in Norwegian Development Policy

Norway launched a global noncommunicable disease strategy in 2019, recognizing air pollution as a risk factor. As part of this strategy, Norway committed to promoting pollution-free cooking through renewable energy sources.

Phase-out of Oil and Gas Investment

In 2019, Norway decided to phase out investments in oil and gas exploration and production by its Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG). This decision, while allowing continued investment in oil and gas service companies, contributes to a gradual shift away from fossil fuels.

Air pollution in winter

Air pollution in Norway is far more prevalent during the winter months. This is due to several factors, including increased emissions from wood-burning, road dust from studded tyre use, and exhaust emissions from cold engines in freezing temperatures. Meteorological inversions also occur during winter, resulting in poorer dispersal conditions. As a result, years with more frequent and longer inversion periods tend to have higher pollution levels.

Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the primary contributors to local air pollution in Norwegian cities and towns. Particulate matter consists of small airborne particles that can form during combustion in engines, stoves, fireplaces, or from road dust, tyre wear, brake pads, and exhaust emissions. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), on the other hand, is produced during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as oil, diesel, and gas.

The health effects of air pollution are significant, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Short-term exposure to polluted air can trigger respiratory issues, while prolonged exposure contributes to the development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), approximately 1,700 people in Norway die annually due to high levels of PM2.5.

To address air pollution, Norway has set national goals and legally binding limit values for local air quality. These goals aim to reduce pollution and promote the health and well-being of the population. Municipalities have also implemented measures such as queue pricing, increased tolls during high pollution periods, and setting environmental requirements for taxis to reduce traffic and improve air quality.

While air pollution levels in Norway have been relatively stable over the last decade, they are similar to other Scandinavian countries and lower than in Southern Europe. Norwegian municipalities are actively working to improve air quality, and the country is among those with the lowest risk of premature death from local air pollution in Europe.

Air pollution health effects

Air pollution is a significant risk to public health, and exposure to it has been linked to a range of adverse health effects. These health effects vary depending on the length of exposure, from short-term to long-term.

Short-term exposure to air pollution can cause and worsen respiratory diseases. For example, people with asthma may experience more frequent and severe attacks. Additionally, short-term exposure to ozone, a powerful lung irritant, can lead to breathing problems such as chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath. Ozone exposure can also have detrimental long-term effects, including the worsening of lung and heart disease and reduced lung function, even in healthy young adults.

Long-term exposure to air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), has been associated with the development and worsening of cardiovascular diseases. It is also linked to an increased risk of premature death, with an estimated 1400 and 54 premature deaths in Norway attributed to PM2.5 and ozone, respectively. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution.

The health effects of air pollution are not limited to physical ailments. Psychosocial stress, including factors such as poverty, racial/ethnic discrimination, and residency status, can amplify the harmful effects of air pollution. Research has shown that people of colour are more likely to be exposed to air pollution and suffer more significant health consequences from it. Additionally, individuals with low incomes are at increased risk due to their proximity to pollution sources and limited resources for relocation or access to quality healthcare.

In Norway, air pollution levels vary seasonally, with higher emissions during the cold winter months due to wood-burning, road dust from studded tyres, and exhaust emissions from cold engines. While air pollution levels have been relatively stable over the last decade, there has been a slight decline in particulate matter. Norwegian municipalities have implemented measures to improve air quality, such as queue pricing or increased tolls during high air pollution periods, to discourage traffic and reduce emissions.

Norway's most polluted cities

While air pollution levels in Norway have been relatively stable over the last decade, they are still a cause for concern. The Global Burden of Disease project estimates that every year, 1400 and 54 premature deaths in Norway can be attributed to fine fraction PM2.5 and ozone, respectively. In 2019, the most polluted city in Norway was Sarpsborg, Ostfold, with a US AQI level of 42. Bodo, Nordland was the cleanest city, with an AQI level of 16.

Other cities with poor air quality include Stavanger, Grenland, Trondheim, Oslo, Bergen, Drammen, Kristiansand, Lillestrøm, Fredrikstad, and Tromsø. These cities have air quality monitoring stations that regularly record high levels of air pollution.

Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone are the major substances contributing to local air pollution in Norwegian cities and towns. Particulate matter is composed of small airborne particles that can occur during combustion or come from road dust, tyre wear, brake pads, and exhaust emissions.

To address air pollution, Norway has set national goals for air quality and implemented regulations to reduce traffic and wood burning, two significant sources of air pollution. The government ensures that municipalities have the necessary tools to improve air quality for residents, such as introducing queue pricing or increased tolls during high pollution periods. While most Norwegian municipalities have maintained air quality standards, Elverum and Hamar exceeded the limit value for particulate matter (PM10) in 2018.

Air pollution levels in Norway are similar to other Scandinavian countries but lower than in Southern Europe. They tend to be higher during the cold winter months due to increased emissions from wood-burning, road dust from studded tyres, and exhaust emissions from cold engines in freezing temperatures. Meteorological inversions during winter also hinder the dispersal of pollutants.

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