Statement at COP21

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Je veux d’abord remercier le président de la France, François Hollande, d’accueillir cette conférence sur le climat à Paris. Je suis heureuse de constater qu’aucun attentat terroriste ne parviendra jamais à nous dissuader de défendre nos valeurs communes et de préserver notre planète. 

President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

COP21 must be the turning point in our efforts to transform the global economy and make the transition to low-emission societies. That is what the world expects of us. And that is why we have come to Paris.   

We have come here to reach a strong agreement. An agreement that will allow our ambitions to increase over time. And that will secure a safe and sustainable future for us all. 

We can achieve this by setting a long-term goal for emission reductions. 

We should step up our efforts every five years. And make sure that any new efforts represent a progression from previous ones. 

Openness is essential. We need a common system of transparency.

We also need to agree on how we can take stock globally.To assess where we are and to guide future contributions. 

Putting a price on emissions and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies will make businesses and consumers around the world more climate friendly. This will also improve public budgets and help finance climate actions.

Norway will do its share. We will reduce emissions by 40 % by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. 

Norway is also a major contributor in the field of climate finance. We intend to remain so.

The Green Climate Fund is now ready for business. I am pleased to announce today that Norway will significantly increase its contributions. If the Fund secures verified emission reductions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, we will double our contribution by 2020.

Norway will work constructively with all parties to make Paris a success. 

This is not the time for tactics or game-playing. 

This is the time to act and to put our best foot forward. To save our planet – together.

We must live up to the world’s expectations. We must make COP21 the turning point.

Merci beaucoup.