Climate crisis: Norway accused of ‘acting like Trump’ over refusal to set protected Arctic zone in areas where oil firms want to drill
Norway has come under fire from environmental groups who accuse it of caving to oil companies over a decision to shift an Arctic no-go zone.
The Norwegian government on Friday proposed a minor extension of the so-called ice edge boundary, which marks the edge of the Arctic beyond which firms are barred from drilling for oil.
But the planned boundary re-drawing excludes any areas for which licenses have already been granted — going against the advice issued by the government's own scientists, who urged a far larger extension southwards.
Research has shown sea ice has a more widespread impact on Arctic life than previously thought. When spring comes, the area covered by drifting ice becomes abundant with life, with algae bloom supporting zooplankton growth, which in turn attracts fish, birds and sea mammals.
Greenpeace said the government had set a "completely arbitrary and unscientific border" in order to put the interests of the oil industry ahead of the science.
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