Arnhild Aass KRISTIANSEN

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The explosives manufacturer has already had its emission permit doubled. Now, it appears a new factory may be built that could double emissions again.

– The government is shifting the responsibility for saving the Oslofjord onto the fishermen while they themselves ramp up efforts to destroy the fjord. They’re doing this by allowing several hundred extra tons of nitrogen to be discharged directly into the fjord.

This is what the Red Party’s Bjørnar Moxnes tells Aftenposten.

He is reacting to the following:

At the same time as the government, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, states that “the Oslofjord is in a serious environmental crisis” and needs “strong measures” to be saved, two things are happening:

The government has granted explosives manufacturer Chemring Nobel permission to increase its emissions into the Oslofjord, from 41 to 95 tons of nitrogen annually until 2027.
At the same time, plans are being laid for Chemring Nobel to build a new factory by the Oslofjord. After evaluating several other alternatives, the government and Chemring Nobel decided to proceed with the plan for a new factory on Hurumlandet.

Confirms Increased Emissions

This will lead to increased emissions in the Oslofjord, confirmed Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen in a written response this summer.

The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) estimates that, in the worst case, this could result in an additional 200 tons of nitrogen per year.

Nitrogen is one of the main reasons the Oslofjord is in such poor condition. It acts as super-fertilizer for harmful algae, which consume oxygen and displace beneficial marine plants.

“Although our analyses do not suggest that these new emissions, in isolation, will cause major ecological consequences, the increased emissions will have to be offset by even larger reductions in other sectors,” writes NIVA.

Equivalent to Recent Cuts

Most of the nitrogen in the fjord comes from sewage and agriculture. In the inner part of the Oslofjord, 200 tons would account for nearly 10% of the total, Moxnes points out.

This is also equivalent to the annual reduction in emissions achieved by Oslo’s new sewage treatment plant at Bekkelaget.

– It’s a paradox that Oslo’s residents have spent over 2 billion kroner to clean emissions and, in a way, footed the bill, says the Red Party politician, who believes the new factory must be required to implement purification from day one.

– Otherwise, they cannot give this the green light.

Factory Required to Purify

Climate and Environment Minister Bjelland Eriksen (Labour Party) does not recognize the claim that responsibility for saving the fjord is being shifted onto fishermen and municipalities, stating that everyone must contribute to save the Oslofjord. He emphasizes that the explosives manufacturer’s permit to increase emissions is temporary.

– They have also been required to build better purification facilities. As soon as this is in place by 2027, the permit will be reduced again.

– They’ve been allowed to double their emissions until 2027, and on top of that, you yourself write that a new factory will lead to increased emissions?

– It’s not easy to comment on a factory that hasn’t yet been formally applied for, but we will ensure thorough environmental impact assessments and impose strict requirements for any new production facility. Even though we need to increase capacity for critical defense industry production, it must happen in the most environmentally responsible way possible.

– Do you understand that it can be provocative to use strong rhetoric about the Oslofjord while the government approves increased emissions?

– I fully understand that everyone concerned about the Oslofjord wants emissions to be reduced as quickly as possible and reacts to emissions from certain industries.

He calls the decision regarding Chemring Nobel “one of the most difficult he has been involved in.”

– On one hand, the explosives they produce are critical for Ukraine and the West right now. On the other, we have ambitious goals to protect the fjord, he says.

Original article: aftenposten.no