FACTS

Ostfold Research Institute Report

7/3/2012
Norwegian authorities have established a system which ensures that GOs are not double counted.

Ostfold Research Institute was commissioned by ECOHZ to produce a report regarding the system for regulation of GOs in Norway. The main conclusion is that Norwegian authorities through the Energy Law and regulations have established a system which ensures that GOs are not double counted.

The Norwegian disclosure of the residual mix which is published annually by The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, shows that trading of GOs have increased substantially over the last years with the effect that the renewable share of the Norwegian mix was only 23 % in 2011(the generation of electricity is, however, almost all hydro).The Norwegian Disclosure is as of 2012, based on the pan European method for residual mix calculation (RE-DISS).

Included in the report is also an overview of the use of GOs in documenting environmental performance.The major standards as Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ISO 14067 (draft) and PAS 2050 accept use of GOs as a measure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases as long as  double counting of GOs is avoided.