General Agreement on Trade in Services |
S/C/N/806 |
Norway |
2015 |
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Other measures |
Services |
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Environment related objective
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To promote environmental services by making available to international maritime transport suppliers Garbage collecting and ballast waste disposal services on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and conditions
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Auxiliary services as required bymaritime transport operators, including additional commitments to make available to international maritime transport suppliers Garbage collecting and ballast waste disposal services from LDCs
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Auxiliary services as required by maritime transport operators including Garbage collecting and ballast waste disposal
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Type of measure
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Preferential market access
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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Keywords
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Government Procurement |
GPA/WPS/SME/10 |
Norway |
2015 |
General environmental protection |
Public procurement |
Not specified |
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Environment related objective
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To ensure cost efficient and high quality procurement that benefits society, including sustainable and social responsible procurement
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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NORWAY'S REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 3.2 OF THE COMMITTEE’S DECISION ON A WORK PROGRAMME ON SMES
Difi's [Agency for Public Management and eGovernment] Department of Public Procurement aims to ensure cost efficient and high quality procurement that benefits society, including sustainable and social responsible procurement, by providing information and guidance on legislation and best practice on its website [...]
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Not specified
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Type of measure
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Special Agency for Public procurement
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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Established in 2008
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Keywords
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Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures |
G/SPS/N/NOR/36 |
Norway |
2017 |
Sustainable agriculture management |
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Agriculture, Chemicals, Manufacturing |
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Environment related objective
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To protect the environment by facilitating and regulating the use of sewage sludge-based fertiliser
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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Draft Regulations amending the Regulations on fertilisers etc. of organic origin and the Regulations relating to the payment of fees for specific services provided by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority ("sewage sludge-based fertiliser" etc.)
Products with the product designation "sewage sludge-based fertiliser" is to be subject to less stringent use-restriction compared to other sewage-sludge;
• The use of the product designation is to be subject to an authorisation from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Authorisation may only be given if the product has been treated using methods where the temperature during the hygienisation period is at least 55 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the product must have a balanced nutrient content adapted to the annual needs of the plants and be suitable for use with at maximum addition of 100kg dry matter per decare per year of the sewage sludge component;
• All operators in the delivery-chain are required to keep a record with information necessary for tracing the products
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Organic fertilisers containing sewage sludge
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Type of measure
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Trade facilitating and requirements, including tracking, on sewage sludge-based fertiliser
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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Entry into force: 1 April 2018
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Keywords
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
Environmental goods and services promotion |
Grants and direct payments |
Forestry |
The Wood-based Innovation Scheme |
Environment related objective
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To increase the use of wood through research, development and innovation, as a renewable material with lower impact on the environment and to increase the utilisation of wood as an environmentally friendly alternative to other building materials
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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The Wood-based Innovation Scheme
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Enterprises involved in the production or development of wood products, entrepreneurs, architects, organisations for the wood industry, and research and development institutions which cooperate with enterprises
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Type of measure
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Grants
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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2015 - 2016
Duration of the subsidy: The scheme was established in 2006, and ended on 31 December 2016.
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Keywords
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Renewable
Environment
Forest
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
Alternative and renewable energy |
Grants and direct payments |
Energy |
The Bioenergy Scheme |
Environment related objective
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To promote the production and use of bioenergy as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil energy
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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The Bioenergy Scheme
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All types of companies, all regions and all sectors
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Type of measure
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Grants
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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2015 - 2016
Duration of the subsidy: The scheme was established in 2003, and the duration is dependent on annual allocations.
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Keywords
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
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Tax concessions |
Energy |
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Environment related objective
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The CO2 tax was introduced 1 January 1991 and the standard rate is high compared to similar taxes that have been established or proposed in other countries. From 1 September 2010 the CO2 tax also applies to natural gas and LPG used on the mainland (CO2 taxes already applied to natural gas used in offshore activity). Norway applies a high CO2 tax on fossil fuels in order to stimulate the use of alternatives that are more environmental friendly. However, in some sectors there are no alternatives to use fossil fuels, and these sectors have a reduced CO2 tax rate or are exempted completely.
From 1 September 2008 undertakings covered by the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) are exempted from the CO2 tax on mineral oil, in order to avoid the use of two economic instruments (tax and quota) to reduce the same emissions. The exemption for mineral oil for undertakings covered by the EU ETS is therefore not included in the listed figures for the tax expenditures.
The tax on mineral oil (base-tax on mineral oil) was introduced 1 January 2000. The objective of the tax was to avoid a switch in energy use from electricity to mineral oil when the electricity tax was increased from 1 January 2000. Sectors where electricity was not a substitute to mineral oil were charged a reduced rate or exempted.
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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Exemptions and reduced rates in the CO2 taxes and in the tax on mineral oil (base tax on mineral oil)
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Subject to the CO2 tax reduction are: Mineral oil used in vessels for fishing and catching in inshore waters; Mineral oil used in the fish oil and fish meal industry; Natural gas and LPG used in manufacturing and mining;
Subject to the CO2 tax exemption are: Natural gas and LPG used in commercial greenhouses; Natural gas and LPG used in freight and passenger transport in domestic shipping and offshore vessels;
Mineral oil is subject to an excise duty (base tax on mineral oil). For the usage of mineral oil in the pulp and paper industry and in the production of pigments and colouring agents a reduced tax rate is applied. Freight and passenger transport in domestic shipping, vessels used for fishing and catching and the fish oil and fish meal industry are exempted from the base tax on mineral oil.
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Type of measure
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Tax concessions
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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2015 - 2016
Duration of the subsidy: Starting date:
(a) CO2 tax: 1 January 1991
(b) Base tax on mineral oil: 1 January 2000
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Keywords
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Emissions
Environment
Energy
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
Sustainable forestry management |
Tax concessions |
Forestry |
The Forest Trust Fund Scheme |
Environment related objective
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To provide the forest land owners with a basis for financing measures aimed at sustainable management of forest resources
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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The Forest Trust Fund Scheme
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Forest land owners
In addition to the tax relief granted through the Forest Trust Fund, economic support is given for a similar range of activities that support sustainable forest management. Special attention is directed to areas with relatively low utilization of forest resources due to sparsely developed forestry infrastructure, including coastal areas in western, mid and northern parts of Norway.
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Type of measure
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Tax concessions
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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2015 - 2016
Duration of the subsidy: The Forest Fund Scheme was initiated in 1932, but mainly established in its present form in 1965.
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Keywords
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Forest
Sustainable
Natural resources
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
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Grants and direct payments |
Forestry |
Subsidies for Forest Management Planning |
Environment related objective
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To stimulate forest management planning as a basic measure to promote sustainable forest management including:
• Active short and long term utilisation of the forest resources.
• Preservation and enhancement of forest functions related to biological diversity, landscape, and cultural and recreational values.
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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Subsidies for Forest Management Planning
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The subsidy is available to all categories of forest owner and all types of operationally productive forestland. Provided a given area coverage of pre-ordered individual forest management plans, the grant covers resource registration surveys of larger designated areas and preparation of forest management plans on individual properties. Area registrations provide data for forest inventory and resource overviews. The programme also supports capacity building on application of the forest management plan.
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Type of measure
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Grants
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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2015 - 2016
Duration of the subsidy: Starting date: 1971. Duration is not specified.
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Keywords
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Forest
Sustainable
Natural resources
Bio
Conservation
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
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Grants and direct payments |
Forestry |
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Environment related objective
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To stimulate value-adding forestry activities and long-term investments like silviculture and forest roads, as well as to enhance environmental values related to biological diversity, landscape, cultural inheritance and recreational activities
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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Subsidies for industrial and environmental purposes in forestry
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All categories of forest owners and all properties exceeding 1.0 hectare of productive forestland
Granted measures can be silviculture, pre-commercial thinning, construction and reconstruction of forest roads, conservation and enhancement of environmental values in forest and harvesting of round wood in difficult terrain.
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Type of measure
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Grants
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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2015 - 2016
Duration of the subsidy: Duration is not specified.
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Keywords
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Forest
Environment
Bio
Conservation
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Subsidies and Countervailing Measures |
G/SCM/N/315/NOR |
Norway |
2017 |
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Grants and direct payments |
Agriculture |
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Environment related objective
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To ensure that various types of agricultural landscapes are maintained and that valuable biotopes and cultural heritage are attended to and taken care of; To safeguard environmental goods, which are dependent upon the agricultural landscape; To contribute to an agricultural production that leads to the least possible pollution and loss of nutrients
Norwegian agricultural policy is implemented in pursuit of the overall objectives concerning, inter alia, sustainable agriculture.
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Measure description
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Coverage of the measure
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The Agricultural Sector: National environmental program
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The additional costs linked to the participation in the program through the maintenance of the agricultural landscape and other environmental requirements, and represent payments for the production of environmental goods
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Type of measure
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Payments per hectare and payments for grazing animals
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ICS - HS Code
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Subsidy amount
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Implementation period
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1 January 2014 - 31 December 2015
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Keywords
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Bio
Environment
Pollution
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