Greenhouse gas emissions and removals in land and forests

Overall, the LULUCF sector has been a net remover of carbon dioxide (CO₂) since 1990. The LULUCF sector accounted for yearly increases in CO₂ removal from 1990 to 2012, but the volume of CO₂ removed then declined in the subsequent years. Forests, which cover 32% of the country’s land area, serve as the country’s largest carbon sink. This downward trend in CO₂ removal is attributed to factors like ageing forests resulting in increased harvesting and mortality, and deforestation driven by competing land demands.

To address this trend and maintain the LULUCF sector’s role in mitigating climate change, Norway is exploring various strategies. These strategies include promoting sustainable forest management practices, such as reforestation efforts, to ensure forests’ continued health and productivity. Additionally, measures are being considered to address deforestation and incentivise land-use practices that prioritise carbon sequestration. The aim is to optimise the carbon sink potential of Norwegian forests while balancing various land use needs.