20/20 Vision – The new Faroese climate policy

Spearheaded by the Faroese Environment Minister, Annika Olsen, the policy has been developed through a comprehensive process of analysis and broad public consultation over the past 12 months. At the time of writing, the motion was expected to be formally adopted by the end of November, having been tabled in the Faroese Parliament (Løgting) on October 19 with the full backing of all six political parties.

Independent policy implementation
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing island nation of 49,000 people in the Northeast Atlantic under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Faroe Islands have chosen not to be a part of Denmark’s membership of the European Union. Faroese autonomy provides for exclusive competence in a wide range of areas, including all those related to the implementation of the new domestic emission reduction target, such as environmental, energy and fiscal policy, infrastructure, transport and industry.
While Denmark’s ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change also encompasses the Faroe Islands, a territorial reservation was taken for the Faroe Islands under the Kyoto Protocol.

When it came to power in September 2008, the present Faroese Government coalition gave top priority to setting an ambitious domestic target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This came after many years of active discussion on climate policy in the Faroe Islands, but a lack of clear focus on the best way forward - until now.

A turning point
Environment Minister Olsen hails the full support her proposal has received as a “turning point” for the Faroe Islands. “I am very pleased that we can now take decisive action and make our contribution, as small as it may be, to the common global effort to combat climate change. “
“We must do all we can to decrease our dependency on fossil fuels. As a small and remote island community dependent on fisheries, this is certainly a huge challenge for us. But living in the middle of the powerful seas and climate of the North Atlantic ocean, we also see an equally huge potential to develop viable renewable energy alternatives, both on land from the sea“ , says Minister Olsen.

At least 20% - no offsets
Minister Olsen also underlines that the Faroese reduction target will be achieved solely through pre-defined domestic measures. Specific measures are planned in the areas of heating, electricity production, land-based transport, ships and aviation, renewable energy and public awareness and information. Key to achieving the set target is the need for cross-cutting responses and action. Climate policy needs to be fully integrated in the development of policies in a range of other areas in the future, including education, economic policy, transport and industry.

The target of 20% reduction by 2020 based on 2005 levels is clearly expressed as a minimum figure and does not include the use of any offsets. The policy requires the Government to report bi-annually to Parliament, commencing in the 2011-2012 session, on progress towards reaching the agreed target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Government is required in its report to address possibilities for setting higher domestic reduction targets.

In the political discussion on the new Faroese climate policy it has also been clearly acknowledged that there are many other ways to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases than those outlined in the policy itself. The challenge for the Faroese government will be to apply the relatively small, but focussed and realistic mix of measures effectively in order to achieve the overall target of reducing emissions by at least 20%.
“When it comes to making a real contribution in the Faroe Islands to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, our commitment won’t stop in 2020. But it starts now”, says Annika Olsen.