oecd.org: Prime Minister, Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen;

I am honoured to launch the OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030 today here in Oslo. I want to thank Prime Minister Stoltenberg for this excellent initiative that underpins Norway’s commitment to the international environment agenda.

For the OECD, this is a very important occasion. Environmental issues have been rising up the political agenda in the last couple of years. Enhanced knowledge and awareness about alarming environmental trends have been highlighted by several assessments released recently. They have helped us to understand the urgency to act. Now, the OECD Environmental Outlook shows us how to act. It also shows us that tackling the key environmental problems we face today is both achievable and affordable. [ read more ]