Norway, the largest donor to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has paused its funding to the body ahead of a revised budget on 12 May, triggering concern among member states and non-governmental organizations. This move could have significant implications for the already troubled plastic treaty negotiations being overseen by UNEP.
Background on the Plastics Treaty Negotiations
Since talks began in 2022, countries have struggled to agree on how to manage the volume of plastics produced and used globally. Despite six rounds of negotiations, no consensus has been reached on this critical environmental issue. The talks have been marked by divisions between nations pushing for ambitious, legally binding measures and a small group of petrostates blocking caps on plastic production.
Norway's Funding Contribution and the Pause
UNEP’s executive director, Inger Andersen, met with the director general of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) two weeks ago and was informed that all funding agreements are on hold pending budget decisions. Norway has contributed approximately $12 million annually to UNEP over the three years to 2025, along with $19 million to the Planetary Fund and $7.8 million in earmarked funds in 2025. Even a temporary pause introduces significant uncertainty for the global environment agency, especially as the wider UN faces severe financial pressure.
Additionally, the Guardian has obtained an email from Norad to NGOs announcing the postponement of a funding call for projects aimed at combating plastic pollution in developing countries. The programme is valued at £4-6 million per year and is intended to support countries in the plastic treaty process.
Reactions and Concerns
Christina Dixon, ocean campaign leader at the Environmental Investigation Agency, warned that any risk to funding could not come at a worse time for the negotiations. She emphasized that sustained funding would reinforce Norway’s longstanding leadership toward an ambitious plastics treaty.
Norway co-leads the high-ambition coalition at the plastic treaty negotiations with Rwanda, advocating for an ambitious and legally binding instrument addressing the full life cycle of plastics. This contrasts with a small group of petrostates widely seen as blocking moves to cap plastic production.
Last year, the chair of the process resigned suddenly, leaving talks in disarray. This followed the collapse of the previous round of talks with little progress after three years of negotiations. A new chair was elected this year, with negotiations expected to resume in early 2027.
Karen Landmark, managing director at GRID-Arendal, a Norwegian environmental foundation working closely with UNEP, expressed concern that the funding pause could give other countries an excuse to lower their level of ambition. She noted that Norway has played a clear and constructive leadership role in pushing for a strong global plastics treaty, and any hesitation or withdrawal of support could have far-reaching consequences.
Domestic Context and Political Shifts
Norway’s reassessment of UNEP funding comes amid shifting domestic political and economic debates over climate and environmental spending. The country is governed by a centre-left Labour party minority administration led by Jonas Gahr Støre, which relies on agreements with other parties to pass budget measures. Oil and gas remain Norway’s largest sector, with petroleum revenues amounting to £52 billion in 2025 alone. Last week, the government faced criticism for approving plans to reopen three North Sea gasfields to fill energy supply gaps caused by the Middle East war.
Frøya Skjold Sjursæther of the Norwegian Green party called the potential cut in support for global plastic clean-up a complete scandal, noting that Norwegian oil contributes to millions of tonnes of plastic every year.
Official Responses and Future Outlook
When asked about the postponement of plastics funding communicated to NGOs, Per Fredrik Pharo, head of Norad’s department for climate and nature, stated that several funding agreements exist. The main one ended last year, while another is undergoing an assessment process expected to conclude in mid-2026. Another stream has been postponed but will resume in the near future. This has caused confusion among NGOs, especially after Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s minister of international development, recently noted in parliament that Norway would continue funding to combat plastic pollution in developing countries, with an ambition to spend 1 billion kroner (£79 million) between 2025 and 2028.
Eirik Lindebjerg, conservation director of WWF Norway, expressed concern over the vague language, questioning why such uncertainty is created if the funding is to continue. Aukrust explained that the Labour party governs in an unpredictable economic situation and that every krone in the budget must be carefully considered.
A UNEP spokesperson expressed faith that Norway will continue its strong environmental leadership.
