Mr. Solheim and his delegation's first meeting was with environmental organizations and think tanks in Washington, such as the World Resources Institute, Conservation International, Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Climate Policy Center, Center for Clean Air Policy, Bellona, and the World Wildlife Fund. They exchanged views on how both Norway and the U.S. can move forward on environmental initiatives, and come up with measures which President Rafe Pomerance of the Climate Policy Center referred to as "politically and economically doable at the same time as being environmentally powerful."
Minister Solheim presented several priorities for Norway, highlighting measures to combat deforestation. "Norway would like to engage in projects which can reap measurable results in the short run," Mr. Solheim said. "Such an initiative may bring about substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions while the world is seeking to put in place a new, more comprehensive agreement on climate change."
At present, deforestation in developing countries is releasing carbon dioxide corresponding to about 20 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Norway is prepared to increase its support to half a billion USD a year on condition that satisfactory mechanisms, for example under the UN or the World Bank, are established for certification and for handling large transfers of funding for forest-related measures.
During his visit to Washington the minister also meets with the White House Council for Environmental Quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Department of Energy and the World Bank, as well as with Senator Tom Daschle and Congressman Jay Inslee. In California he meets with the California Environment Protection Agency, the California Energy Commission, California Fuel Cell Partnership and a number of private sector companies with progressive environmental agendas or green energy initiatives.
To learn more about Norway's environmental initiatives, please click on links at right.
Deforestation is a major problem in countries like Mozambique, as it contributes to increasing the destructive effects of drought. Combating deforestation is a prioritized area for Norway. Photo: WFP/ Brenda Barton.