Norway: Navigating paradoxes

The first major paradox is related to the climate crisis. Only 7% of Norwegians can be characterized as climate-sceptics, and most Norwegians support increased climate efforts, even if it means personally renouncing certain consumer goods and services (78%). In some areas, such as electrifying transportation, Norway is at the forefront (79% of all new cars were EVs in 2022). However, while being progressive in some areas, the Norwegian economy is still heavily dependent on oil and gas and only about half of Norwegians agree that Norway should decrease its activity in the sector (Ipsos Norsk Monitor). Can Norwegians reconcile continued investment in the oil and gas sector with their global environmental commitments? 

A second, related, paradox is found in Norwegians’ attitude towards cleaner energy sources, such as hydro, wind, solar and even nuclear power – which is seen as a crucial step to limit global warming. However, development of wind farms on land clash with Norwegians’ love of untouched nature on the one hand, and the indigenous Sami population’s rights to reindeer herding territory on the other, while wind farms at sea clash with the needs of the large and influential seafood industry, which is the second largest export after oil and gas. Only 40% of Norwegians support sacrificing untouched nature to build such wind farms (Ipsos Norsk Monitor). Can Norwegians balance their commitment to a transition to greener energy sources and their love of local nature? 

The third paradox is political. Norway is characterised by a very high level of trust in political institutions. Seventy-five per cent of Norwegians have a high level of trust in government, having increased significantly during the pandemic (Ipsos Norsk Monitor). However, 2023 has seen some high-level political scandals, from the bizarre case of the party leader caught stealing a pair of sunglasses, to the husband of the former prime minister keeping his extensive stock trading hidden from his wife – he is being accused of insider trading, she of not being impartial in high-level decisions while in office. 75% of Norwegians say that they trust politicians less than they used to do before these scandals (Ipsos Norsk Monitor). Can Norwegians still trust the democratic institutions if they increasingly distrust the politicians in office? Or their spouses for that matter? 

These are just three of the most pressing paradoxes Norwegians have had to navigate in 2023. Global and local concerns clashing makes for confusing, but interesting times. 

Eirik Ekrann

Country Manager, Ipsos in Norway