The Progress Party (FRP) wants the government to postpone the demand for zero emissions in the World Heritage fjords from 2026 to 2030. However, it seems that both the Conservatives (H) and the Socialist Left (SV) are against the postponement.
SV’s environmental policy spokesman Lars Haltbrekken believes the environmental requirements for cruise ships are necessary.
“It cuts emissions, contributes to the development of zero-emission boats, and creates jobs along the coast. FRP’s proposal is a very serious blow to the environment, jobs, and technology development,” he told news bureau NTB.
Liv Kari Eskeland from the Conservative Party does not like FRP’s proposal either.
After the requirement for zero emissions in 2026 was set, the industry has taken up the challenge and came a long way in developing new vessel categories, she believes.
“Predictable framework needed“
“What we need now are predictable framework conditions for the industry. We get this by setting long-term goals, as we did at the time, but it also requires that we stick to the goals,” Eskeland emphasized.
“The fact that the FRP has left the government does not mean that they need to terminate all the decisions they were involved in when they were in government,” she added.
The FRP presented its proposal in the Norwegian parliament (Storting) on Wednesday.
Need to adapt
“When studies show that the technological shift towards zero emissions has not come far enough for the large cruise ships (for the measure to be implemented) by 2026, we must also adapt the requirements that have been set,” FRP’s environmental policy spokesperson Terje Halleland noted.
In 2018, the Storting decided to introduce a requirement for zero emissions from tourist ships and ferries in the World Heritage fjords by 2026 at the latest.
Following a study, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate now recommends that the zero-emissions requirement is postponed to 2030.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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