About

The County of Aust-Agder is located in Southern Norway and Arendal is its capital city. The region is renown for its natural beauty. Aust-Agder’s landscapes reflect Norway in miniature, varying from its long coastline in the south, to forestry and agricultural areas in the midland and high mountains in the north. A popular recreation area in summertime, the region is often called the “Norwegian Riviera”.

With its 107,000 inhabitants, Aust-Agder, together with the County of Vest-Agder, stands out as a significant business region and the second largest export region in Norway. The region is home to world leading oil and gas technology companies, an innovative process industry and one of the largest energy groups in Norway which is aiming to be a leading national provider of environmentally friendly energy solutions.
The electronics industry is also present. The University of Agder collaborates closely with the private sector in providing relevant research and expertise. The County administration is at the regional level between Norway’s local and national levels of government. Its political leaders are chosen in regional elections. The County provides a wide range of public services and is the key actor in regional development.

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Strategy

Environmentally sustainable development has been a leading principle in the policy and actions of the County of Aust-Agder since 2004. In December 2008, the County Council committed to become a climate neutral organization by 2009, according to the UN definition and the GHG Protocol.

Decision:

The highest political level, the County Council, decided unanimously to become climate neutral. This is strong political commitment. The Council also agreed upon a comprehensive action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is integrated in the Council budget for 2009-2012, securing the necessary financial resources.

Structure:

Key staff in the County administration will be process leaders and conduct the monitoring and analysis of emissions themselves. By building competence within the organization, the County aims to provide advice and best practice to municipalities, private companies and inhabitants in Aust-Agder.

Method:

Climate neutrality is a comprehensive method for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. A footprint analysis of the organization’s emissions in 2007 serves as the starting point for a long-term reduction cycle including: action to reduce the emissions; carbon offsets for the remaining emissions; evaluation and communication, and repeating reduction cycles annually. The footprint assessment will be independently verified by a third-party certifier.

The County Council has decided on an action plan for 2009 that will be further developed during the spring session in 2009. Activities already agreed by 2009 are:

The County is responsible for public transport in Aust-Agder. For 2009, the County Council requires reduced emissions from its contracted public transport companies, and is providing financial support for developing more climate friendly practices.
All electricity from 100 % renewable energy sources. New policies for reducing staff work travel by private car and airplane, and incentives to choose climate friendly transport to work. The County owns the high schools and aims to improve education on climate issues in schools.

Achieve 100 % climate neutral heating in all new buildings. Improve energy consumption in all existing buildings owned by the County. New policies for public procurement requiring climate friendly deliveries from contractors. Continue to work as a partner with UNEP/GRID-Arendal and the Municipality of Arendal, on the UN City project, to raise awareness in the community about climate change issues and give incentives for inhabitants and business leaders to make climate friendly choices.
The County has spearheaded a regional initiative to develop a public-private partnership with a growing network of private companies in southern Norway. The network will address the challenges and opportunities the climate crisis is representing for the private sector, and will continue to actively develop the network. The County has decided to use the CDM mechanism for offsetting its remaining emissions from 2009. It is now working closely with the city of Arendal to help the friendship city of Mwanza in Tanzania to develop a CDM project on methane flaring which, if approved, could be used for buying credits at a later stage.
Be a key actor in the public debate, communicating information, inspiration and best practice both regionally, nationally and through CN Net globally.
Apply the goals in an joint energy plan with the County of Vest-Agder with the following region-wide strategy:

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