While international agreements set the necessary frameworks, their implementation on national and local levels presents challenges. OECDs Climate Action Monitor from 2023 show how many OECD countries have pledged a net-zero target, but only a few of them have made it into law. In 2022, countries slowed down their climate efforts, even bactracking some of the climate action. This was due to geopolitical and macroeconomic shocks from the energy crisis – which also led to countries increasing fossil fuel support to new record levels (OECD, 2023).
In Norway, the government is still working on how they will adhere to the COP15 agreement (regjeringen.no, 2023). However, until formal legislation is in place, actually adhering to the agreement remains voluntary. The municipality of Trondheim in Norway has initiated efforts to implement the agreement. Although a challenge with voluntary follow-up is that it does not guarantee effectiveness, as each municipality makes independent decisions— for example, an industrial company that is denied permission in one municipality may simply establish itself in a neighbouring municipality instead (NTNU Event, 2022, 22:40). Therefore, experts argue that effective engagement and grassroots action are crucial for fostering political commitment and ensuring long-term sustainability (Hundere, 2024).
Another example of visible challenges in implementing environmental policies, is the ongoing Norwegian government crisis. It caused by one of Labor Party´s proposal of implementing 3 of the directives from EU´s 4th clean energy package – to show EU cooperation in these scary times. The Centre Party is very against this, due to the consequenses this may have for Norwegian sovereinity. The leader of Senterungdommen, Nils Forren argues: “Norway is an important energy supplier to Europe and should not approach the bureaucrats in Brussels cap in hand. We must prioritise Norwegian interests first and not give away more sovereignty“.
Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB
This fear of implementing the 4th energy package from the EU, is not irrational. The previous year have shown both Norway and the entire EU how high electricity prices feel like. Many of the Norwegian citizens have blamed our EEA cooperation for the reason of the high electricity prices in Norway – since we are fundamentally self sufficient with waterpower. The criticism of implementing the directives from EU is also regarding our lessened autonomy of our own nature. The fear is that Norway is forced to build solar and wind energy to support the constant higher demand of energy in Europe, sacrificing our nature and biodiversity.
On the other side, with the increasing tensions in the world with Russia waging war, and China and USA waging trade war, the labour party argues that we need to stay close to and strengthen the EU – and that these kind of sacrifices has to be made for the greater good.
How can design help drive political change?
Design can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between policy and action. A design-driven approach can provide ways to communicate complex policies, engage stakeholders, and foster a shared sense of responsibility. For example, the UN encourages cultural influencers and storytellers to participate in the #GenerationRestoration movement, recognising the power of storytelling to drive behavioural change (United Nations, 2019).
Design can help visualise the intrinsic value of nature, promote sustainable lifestyles, and facilitate local community engagement. Even small-scale initiatives that embrace an ecocentric perspective can inspire broader societal shifts.
Conclusion
Political change is crucial for addressing the environmental crises, but it requires persistent efforts at all levels. International agreements like COP15 and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration provide a solid foundation, but their success depends on effective implementation and sufficient public engagement. A for design as a tool, I belive it can act as a powerful mechanism in shaping public perception, influencing policy decisions, and fostering a more sustainable future. The remaining question then is… how exactly?
Sources:
Hundere, T. (2024, February 2). Engasjement kan redusere tap av natur og løse naturkrisen. Naturviterne. Retrieved from https://www.naturviterne.no/naturviterpodden/engasjement-kan-redusere-tap-av-natur-og-lose-naturkrisen
NTNU Event (2022, 16. august). Hvem bestemmer over norsk natur? – Arendalsuka 2022 [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j16EJiCrxSA
OECD. (2023). The Climate Action Monitor 2023. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2023/11/the-climate-action-monitor-2023_d9ee6e77.html
Regjeringen.no. (2023). Det globale Kunming-Montreal-rammeverket for naturmangfold (Naturavtalen). Retrieved from https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/naturmangfold/innsiktsartikler-naturmangfold/det-globale-kunming-montreal-rammeverket-for-naturmangfold-naturavtalen/id2987476/
United Nations. (2019). Strategy of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Retrieved from https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/strategy
