Areas of activity

Air pollution

Measures to combat emissions of substances that acidify watercourses and contribute to an increase in ozone in the lower atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia acidify watercourses and damage fish stocks and vegetation. Methane, other volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides cause excessive formation of ozone in the lower athmosphere. Even at low concentrations, this poses a hazard to health and the environment. 

Biocidal products in Norway

Biocidal products are used to control harmful organisms. Many of these products are hazardous to human health and the environment. The Biocidal Products Directive (BPD (98/8/EC) introduces harmonised rules for authorisation of active substances and biocidal products on the EU/EEA market. Hele saken: Biocidal products in Norway

Climate change and ozone

Measures to combat emissions of greenhouse and ozone- depleting gases. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorine-containing gases can affect climatic conditions. The latter may also contribute to depletion of the ozone layer.

Environmental Information

The Agency has editorial responsibility for a number of important environmental websites. Hele saken: Environmental Information

Environmental Monitoring on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

Sea bed monitoring is intended to show the scope and extent of pollution from oil and gas enterprises on the Norwegian continental shelf. The monitoring also reveals existing trends as well as providing projections for anticipated trends, and it has been adapted to the pollution risks that are being faced. Hele saken: Environmental Monitoring on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

Environmental Technology

The Climate and Pollution Agency is coordinating a project to support innovation and increased use of environmental technologies. This is part of the Ministry of the Environment’s initiative on environmental technology. Hele saken: Environmental Technology

Hazardous chemicals

Measures to regulate the dangerous chemical substances used in products and industrial pollution. Environmentally hazardous substances can cause acute poisoning or chronic health damage and constitute a threat to biodiversity. These substances can be the cause of cancer, foetal damage, reduced fertility, allergies and hypersensitivity. Hele saken: Hazardous chemicals

Inspection and supervision

Measures to protect the environment and people's health through supervisory activities. The Climate and Pollution Agency is responsible for supervisory activities pursuant to the Pollution Control Act, the Product Control Act and their regulations. Hele saken: Inspection and supervision

Integrated management plan for the North Sea and Skagerrak

When the management plan for the Norwegian part of the North Sea and Skagerrak is presented in 2013, Norway will have an ecosystem-based management regime for all Norwegian sea areas. Hele saken: Integrated management plan for the North Sea and Skagerrak

Noise

Measures to combat noise and local air pollution, which can lead to respiratory infections and chronic lung disease or reduced lung function. Air pollution can also damage vegetation and can lead to corrosion and material deterioration in buildings and historic monuments. 

Oil and chemical pollution

Measures to combat operational discharges of oil, acute spills of oil and chemicals. Oil pollution from ship accidents requires large-scale, costly clean-up operations. Drilling and production activities, and routine operations of installations and pipelines, are sources of a great deal of water pollution. Acute oil spills can damage individual organisms and wipe out entire populations of marine and coastal species.

Waste

Measures to enforce waste minimization while encouraging the recycling of waste from households, businesses, industry, construction and other commercial activities. The breakdown of waste materials causes emissions of greenhouse gases and water seepage from waste disposal sites can release toxic pollutants. Waste incineration is a source of acid emissions and environmentally hazardous substances.

Water pollution

Measures to combat water pollution by phosphorus and nitrogen containing compounds which contribute to eutrophication of rivers, lakes and coastal areas. Eutrophication leads to poorer water quality and gives rise to excessive levels of plankton algae, and reduced light penetration. Discharges of organic matter increase the oxygen consumption in water.