Criticism of Fossil Energy

The Centre Group expressed concern about the climate impact of gas and oil extraction and called for a clearer focus on renewable energy and biodiversity during the Nordic Council’s committee meeting in Stavanger.

The Nordic Council committee’s visit to the Kårstø gas facility highlighted Europe’s growing dependence on Norway’s gas resources due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Nevertheless, members of the Centre Group were critical of the emissions and sustainability of gas and oil extraction in both the short and long term.

– Although the increased export of Norwegian gas to Europe has been necessary in the current global situation—and for example, Poland has the potential of reducing its emissions by as much as 70 tons of CO₂ thanks to the import of Norwegian gas—a transition to renewable energy sources must be prioritized. As politicians, we must steer energy supply in a different direction and keep our focus on the future. This is both a sustainability issue and a security issue, said Krista Mikkonen from the Centre Group.

– As a signatory of the global biodiversity agreement, Norway has an obligation to protect 30% of its land area. This also includes Norway’s marine areas. The valuable Arctic marine regions have an intrinsic value beyond the interests of the oil industry, added Rebecka Le Moine.

Focus on Sustainability and a New Green Economy

The Centre Group has called for Nordic strategies that also consider sustainable energy production and increased transparency in the use and extraction of fossil energy sources.

– The energy sector is driven by demand. A new green economy is emerging—it’s only a matter of time before the hydrogen industry, green ammonia, and large-scale CCS facilities gain ground even in the gas and oil hub of Stavanger. We need to safeguard that opportunity in Norway and the Nordic region, concluded Ola Elvestuen who is also the vice chair for the Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region in the Nordic Council.

During the committee meeting, Centre Group members welcomed the ambitious plans for nature-based solutions in the municipality of Stavanger to address the increasingly wet and unpredictable climate. They also had an inspiring dialogue with the leadership of the state climate investment fund Nysnø about the possibility of expanding its mandate to include investments that promote biodiversity. The visit to the electric aviation test site at Stavanger Airport was highly appreciated, as the Centre Group has actively advocated for increased Nordic cooperation in transport in recent years.

The Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region (UHN) in the Nordic Council held its summer meeting in Stavanger, Norway, from June 23–25, 2025. Representing the Centre Group at the meeting were (in the picture from thel left): Konsta Lindi (Nordic Youth Council), Halla Hrund Logadóttir (Reform Party, Iceland), Ola Elvestuen (Liberal Party, Norway), Krista Mikkonen (Green League, Finland) and Rebecka Le Moine (Green Party, Sweden).