Agenda for outreach workshop: Implications of Paris
University of Oslo, Domus Media, Room: Kjerka
Karl Johans gate 47, Oslo (Central building, university square)
8 March 2016
The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the implications of the Paris Agreement for the
Norwegian research agenda in light of preceding discussions and work conducted under the
international Implications of Paris project, in which the Frisch Centre and Norwegian
University of Science and Technology (NTNU) participate.
The Implications of Paris Project (IoPP) aims to identify the most important research
questions raised by the Paris Agreement of 2015 and to undertake research to help address
those questions, enabling effective implementation of the Agreement by the participating
nations. The IoPP is an international project engaging international partners to address what is
inherently a global research enterprise with profound societal benefits worldwide (see
http://www.globalchange.umd.edu/implications-of-paris-project/).
This workshop will build upon the results of the first IoPP workshop, held in May 2016 at the
University of Maryland, and the second workshop, to be held at the Norwegian University of
Science and Technology in Trondheim 5-6 March 2017. The focus on the second workshop
and this outreach workshop is to discuss implications for important sectors both
internationally and for Norway.
The meeting employs a modified Chatham House Rule. Participants are free to use
information received during the meeting, but specific positions taken by individuals should
not be attributed to them without expressed permission. However, formal presentations, the
meeting agenda, and the meeting participation list will become part of the public meeting
record unless participants request anonymity.
This outreach workshop is mainly intended to foster a dialogue among Norwegian policy
makers, research funding agencies/organizations, private sector entities, NGOs, and
researchers (both national and international) towards their contributions to Norway’s national
commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Hopefully the discussion can
provide input to a research agenda to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
11:00 - 11:30: Lunch
11:30 – 12:05: Welcome
Snorre Kverndokk, Frisch Centre and CREE
Asgeir Tomasgard, NTNU and CenSES
Presentation of the aim of this workshop
Chair: Snorre Kverndokk, Frisch Centre and CREE
Tom Rådahl, the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment
This address will present the big picture and give an overview of the research
needs of Norwegian policy makers to meet the targets set by the Paris
agreement. What are the long term goals, and what are the roles of the sectors
in achieving the goals set for 2030 and 2050?
Address from the Norwegian Research Council
Fridtjof Unander, The Research Council of Norway
This address will give an overview of the research priorities in light of the Paris
agreement from the view of the main funder of Norwegian research.
General discussion
12:05 – 12:30: Summary of the Implications of Paris workshop in Trondheim
Chair: Asgeir Tomasgard, NTNU and CenSES
Jae Edmonds, Joint Global Change Research Institute
This presentation will summarize the main conclusions from the first and
second Implications of Paris workshop held in College Park, Maryland in May
2016 and Trondheim, Norway on March 5-6, 2017. The Trondheim workshop
had a sectorial focus, and special attention was given to electric power
production, transport and green competitiveness, including negative emissions,
finance, and investment opportunities. This presentation will highlight major
challenges and opportunities for the role of research in these sectors.
General discussion
12:30 – 13:45: How can the transport sector help reach the climate goals?
Chair: Cathrine Hagem, Statistics Norway
Norway plans to cooperate with the EU to reach its Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. The EU already has the European
Emissions Trading System (ETS), covering emissions from industry, and
Norway is an ETS participant. An important challenge is therefore to focus on
emissions from non-ETS sectors, which cover about half of the emissions in
the EU and Norway, particularly as the transport sector.
For example, in Norway, the emissions from road traffic amounted to 19% of
the climate emissions in 2014. These emissions grew by 31% since 1990, while
total Norwegian emissions only grew by 2.5%. Thus, reducing emissions from
transport is essential in reaching the Norway’s NDC. How can emissions from
transport be reduced? What could the options be for heavy transport, airplanes
and sea transport? What will be the role of electric vehicles, hydrogen and
biofuels? Should Norway rely on possible future flexible mechanisms in nonETS or should Norway invest in a fast transition to a non-fossil transport
sector?
Presentation
Stef Proost, KU Leuven
Comments:
Lasse Fridstrøm, Institute of Transport Economics, Norway
The role of electric vehicles in achieving the long term climate targets
Per-André Torper, Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications
An overview of the Norwegian policy towards low emissions transport
Andreas Enge, ENOVA
Policies to reduce emissions from road and maritime transport in Norway
General discussion
13:45 – 14:10: Coffee break
14:10 – 15:25: The European power market under the Paris agreement
Chair: Rolf Golombek, Frisch Centre and CREE
While Norwegian electricity production is based on renewable energy (mainly
hydro power), Norway is connected to other European countries through
transmission lines for electricity. Thus, a transition of the European power
sector from fossil fuels based to renewable energy also has implications for
Norwegian power producers, as well as transmission companies. What are the
prospects for the European power market towards 2030? Should Norway
increase its production of renewable energy? What implications can this have
for transmission between Norway and other European countries? Can
Norwegian power production act as a reserve capacity for intermittent energy
sources in Europe?
Presentation:
Christian von Hirschhausen, TU Berlin
Comments:
Carolyn Fischer, Resources For the Future
The role of electricity in meeting the Paris targets
Kjetil Lund, Statkraft
The implications for Norwegian electricity producers of the Paris Agreement
Bente Hagem, Statnett
The implications for transmission of electricity of the Paris Agreement
General discussion
15:25 – 15:35: Coffee break
15:35 – 16:50: The future of oil and gas under the Paris agreement
Chair: Meredydd Evans, Joint Global Change Research Institute
Norway has been a large producer of oil and gas for several decades, and the
oil and gas sector is still very important for the Norwegian economy. More
than half of the oil produced globally is used in the transport sector, and a
transition to fossil-free transport may therefore have large impacts on oil
consumption. The future may seem brighter for gas production as gas can
replace coal in power production and reduce carbon emissions, at least for the
near future. What will be the implications of the Paris Agreement for oil and
gas production internationally and for Norway, and what will the implications
be if we aim for the 1.5 °C target compared to the 2 °C target? Will the large
reduction in oil and gas demand be realized by 2030, or will it take longer until
mid-century (2050)? What are the implications of these on exploration of new
oil and gas fields, for instance in the Norwegian Sea? Are investments in oil
and gas companies still attractive for the financial sector? Can carbon capture
and storage (CCS) make oil and gas viable and competitive in foreseeable
future?
Presentation:
Francis O’Sullivan, MIT Energy Initiative
Comments:
Knut Einar Rosendahl, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The role of natural gas in meeting the Paris targets
Ottar Skagen, Statoil
What will the Paris Agreement mean for the oil and gas industry?
Ståle Aakenes, Gassnova
The role of CCS and the opportunities for the oil and gas industry
General discussion
16:50 – 17:10: Summing up the conference
Chair: Brita Slettemark, The Research Council of Norway
Per Sandberg, Statoil
Audun Rossland, Norwegian Environment Agency
Taran Fæhn, Statistics Norway
What are the important challenges and research questions that came out of this
discussion?
Anders Elverhøi, University of Oslo
Final remarks
17:10 – 17:45 End of workshop: Chance to see Edvard Munch’s paintings in the
university’s aula
17:45:
Dinner for the steering committee and invited speakers