DNV GL

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019)

Renewable Energy Share:96%

The ecological status of the coastal waters in the Norwegian Arctic is very good, with very few coastal waters (<3%) at risk of not achieving the target of good ecological and chemical status by 2021.
Fishing in the Norwegian Arctic is well managed and regulated, with little overfishing and major fish stocks at sustainable levels.
Norway has 82,500 km² of marine protected areas in the Norwegian Arctic, mainly around Svalbard.

Limited poverty in the Norwegian Arctic due to universal access to healthcare, education, and welfare.
Low income inequality in the region.
High life expectancy in the Norwegian Arctic.
96% of electricity production in the Norwegian Arctic comes from renewables.

Close cooperation with Russia in the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission for managing shared fish stocks.
Active participation in international cooperation arenas such as the Arctic Council and Barents cooperation.

Global warming and climate change, with the Arctic experiencing warming two to three times higher than the global average.
Threats to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and ecosystems from human activities (oil and gas, fishing, shipping, industry, etc.) and long-range transported pollutants.
High levels of plastics and microplastics in the sea.
Lower school results and higher high-school dropout rates in the Norwegian Arctic compared to the national average.
Gender disparity in high school completion rates.
Lower levels of formal education among the Sami people.
Violence against women and girls, particularly within the Sami population.
Challenges related to non-communicable diseases and obesity in the Norwegian Arctic.
Limited growth in wind power development due to limited consumption and network capacity.
High level of consumption in Norway and the Norwegian Arctic, leading to increased waste generation.
Challenges related to sustainable tourism in popular destinations due to lack of infrastructure.

Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive to achieve good ecological and chemical status of coastal waters.
Strict regulations and management of fisheries to ensure sustainable levels.
Establishment of marine protected areas.
Governmental initiatives to improve education quality and completion rates.
Governmental focus on reducing violence against women and girls.
Governmental initiatives to address non-communicable diseases and obesity.
Governmental support for green investments and the transition to renewable energy.
Governmental initiatives for waste reduction and a circular economy.
Governmental support for sustainable tourism initiatives.

The report assesses the status of the sustainable blue economy in the Norwegian Arctic in relation to all 17 SDGs.