Today, the Red party presents its proposal to reduce climate emissions. They believe, among other things, that all airfreight of seafood to Asia and America must cease so that the climate footprint is limited until 2030. There are other and more climate-friendly ways to transport seafood than by air, believes parliamentary representative Geir Jørgensen from Vesterålen. – It can go by car, but ideally it can go by sea or by train. All the other three options provide large emission reductions. – The shipping that takes place now corresponds to emissions almost as large as domestic passenger traffic by air. But the problem is that the fish must reach the market on the other side of the globe – fresh. Will process the fish in Norway Airfreight of fresh salmon to the markets in America and Asia is good business for the seafood industry in Norway. 2021 was the best year ever for Norwegian seafood exports. In total, Norway exported 3.1 million tonnes of seafood to a value of NOK 120.8 billion last year, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council. Rødt suggests making more fish products that are not dependent on being sent by air. – It is much better that we are able to process as much as possible of the salmon ourselves at home, and make quality products that reach the market, and products that are not in as much of a hurry as the fresh salmon. Much of the fish has already been moved to boats or lanes. – 60 percent of the inbound and outbound transport of frozen seafood to Northern Norway goes by boat. We have approximately 200,000 tonnes on the Ofotbanen, and just over 100,000 tonnes on the Nordlandsbanen. . GOOD BUSINESS: Export of salmon to Asia and America is good business for Norway. Photo: Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg / news – Major consequences Much of the transport of seafood has been moved to more environmentally friendly means of transport. But as of today, there are no alternatives to airfreight of fresh fish. – The challenge with air freight is that this is fresh seafood. And there are currently no other ways to transport fresh seafood to America or Asia than by air. That’s what Deputy Managing Director of Seafood Norway, Trond Davidsen, says. The seafood industry is continuously working to find more environmentally friendly transport methods, he says. He believes that Rødt’s proposal is not the right medicine to control the climate challenges, and that it will have major consequences for the industry if it is adopted. – But whether this becomes a reality is highly uncertain, because it has such major consequences. Although we are talking about relatively small volumes here. Climate tax for riches But Rødt also has a number of other proposals for how we can cut emissions. Norway can cut climate emissions by 64.5 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels, according to the climate plan. It is thus significantly higher than the government’s target, which was recently tightened to a 55 per cent cut. People who earn more than NOK 1.5 million should be subject to a climate tax, the party believes. It will slow down luxury consumption and contribute more to investment in emissions reductions. – If we are to manage to gain support for climate cuts, the richest must contribute the most – and much more than today, writes the party in its new climate plan, which is presented today. Rødt lists the worst consumption: Private jets, luxury yachts, huge villas and cottage palaces in the mountains and by the sea. – The very richest in Norway are responsible for many times as many emissions as most people. This is unnecessary consumption, which must be cut first, says the climate plan. In addition to a separate climate tax, Rødt proposes several measures aimed at the most affluent: Re-introduce boat engine tax on the largest and most expensive boats. Remove VAT exemption on the most expensive electric cars. In addition, the party will switch to a top-price system for electricity. Large consumption must cost, but the model also takes into account energy standards, the size of the household and geography. Flight tax beyond one foreign trip a year An important climate measure is to get people to fly less, Rødt asserts, and proposes: * Ban on private flights * Progressive flight tax for journeys between the big cities in Norway where there are good train connections. * Progressive flight tax on trips abroad, beyond one holiday trip a year. * To quantify targets for cuts in domestic and international air traffic through Avinor. Proposes reduction target of 5 percent. While some people can barely afford flights, others in this country fly far more than necessary, Rødt insists. They point out that two of Europe’s ten busiest flight routes depart from Norwegian airports. From 2005 to 2017, air traffic doubled, and Norway is at the top in Europe, the plan says. The biggest cuts will be made between Oslo and the other biggest cities, where there are good train connections. The cuts will also be made in foreign travel, where the growth for many years has been greatest, writes Rødt. – But there must also be a proper investment in railways rather than motorways and increased air traffic. The state must facilitate environmentally friendly solutions, not pretend that the current infrastructure is good enough, says Marhaug.
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Wants an end to salmon shipping by air to Asia – news Nordland
