Oslo Plans ‘Climate Budget’ to Cut Emissions in Half

The city government in Oslo announced plans to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions with the creation of a “climate budget” that officials hope will help the city cut greenhouse gas emissions in half in just four years.

“We’ll count carbon dioxide the same way as we count money,” said Vice Mayor Robert Steen, according to a Reuters report.

Cities around the globe have introduced plans in recent years to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but Oslo’s plan leaves most others in the dust. The city will increase tolls for drivers who want to bring their cars into the city, remove parking spaces, reduce fossil fuel sources of heat in homes and switch the bus fleet to renewable fuel sources, among other things.

Such a plan might not be feasible in other large cities, but the Norwegian capital has a number of advantages over its international counterparts. The country has had a carbon tax for decades. For a time, the Tesla was the country’s top-selling car and government officials have previously said they want the country’s cars to be emission-free by 2025.

Officials say they hope Oslo will set and example regardless of whether it meets the goals. Vice Mayor Lan Marie Nguyen Bergtold told Reuters, “When we can finds solutions in Oslo maybe we can help other cities.”