The Green Party (MDG) confirmed at its national convention on Saturday that it will not support lower fuel taxes. Instead, the party plans to use the current economic situation to reduce dependence on oil and gas. Party leader Arild Hermstad stated that the crisis should accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, not slow it down.
The decision comes as the government considers temporary reductions in fuel taxes to ease pressure on households and businesses. Hermstad argued that such measures would only prolong reliance on fossil fuels, which the party aims to phase out entirely by 2030. "We cannot afford to lock in more oil and gas use now," he said. "The crisis is an opportunity to speed up the shift to renewable energy."
The party also took a firm stance against closer ties with US technology companies, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and data infrastructure. Hermstad criticized the potential security risks, saying Norway must avoid becoming dependent on foreign tech giants for critical digital systems.
MDG’s convention also addressed other climate policies, including stricter regulations on industrial emissions and expanded support for electric vehicle infrastructure. The party emphasized that economic challenges should not derail long-term environmental goals.
The government has yet to respond to MDG’s proposals, but the debate reflects growing divisions over how to balance short-term economic relief with Norway’s climate commitments.
Source: digi.no