We changed Norwegian politics
Our actions have changed Norwegian politics forever! A phase-out plan might be within reach in the not-so-distant future!
Christofer Kebbon
On November 29th, the Norwegian Green Party (MDG) withdrew from negotiations for the 2026 state budget. The party demanded more climate justice. The same day, SV (Socialist Green Party) followed suit. This forced the biggest party in Norway (Arbeiderpartiet) to change direction to meet demands put forth by MDG and SV to get a majority to bind their proposal.
MDG and SV were successful in making the Norwegian state budget more just for the Norwegian people, relieving those suffering the most under the climate crisis. They were able to stop deep-sea mining, but more importantly, Norway is now committed to creating an energy transition commission. MDG is labelling this the last chapter of the Norwegian fossil industry. The commission will be represented by the labour movements from relevant fields, the environmental movement and relevant academic experts.
The “Phase out, Norway!” campaign and massive actions in August directly influenced this change of heart. MDG would not have been able to put the necessary pressure on Arbeiderpartiet, had it not been for the international climate movement standing together behind this demand.
During the phase-out, Norway, we disrupted the Norwegian fossil state for a duration of more than two weeks ahead of the Norwegian election. We shut down Norway’s largest oil refinery for two entire days, occupied the busiest street in Oslo and occupied two massive oil-subsidising banks simultaneously. We represented over ten different organisations from all over Europe, with hundreds of activists, manifesting to the Norwegian fossil state the strength of "people power". The message was loud and clear and gave MDG the push they needed to stand up against the fossil elite in the negotiations.
But the fight is not over! We do not yet have a phase-out plan, and the fossil elite is still killing millions of people. This win is not a reason to stop or to sit on our hands; it's quite the opposite. This shows us that we have to keep fighting because our massive efforts and our cooperation are enacting change. Now is the time to work together, standing in solidarity with all life on earth.
