Module 10

Environment and climate

Nature and the right to roam, waste sorting, deposits, energy and climate goals.

Last updated: 2026-11-06

Nature and climate in Norway

Norway is a long, narrow country with high mountains, deep fjords and a long coastline. The country lies far to the north, and the light changes a lot through the year.

In Northern Norway the sun does not set in summer. This is called the midnight sun. In winter it is the opposite: when the tilt of the Earth's axis keeps the sun below the horizon, there is a polar night (mørketid). This happens north of the Arctic Circle. It is not caused by mountains or bad weather, but by the tilt of the Earth's axis.

On dark winter evenings you can see the northern lights (aurora borealis), a coloured light in the sky. It happens when particles from the sun hit the gases in the atmosphere. The northern lights are best seen in the north.

Even though Norway lies so far north, the climate is milder than many people expect, especially along the coast. The reason is the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current from the Gulf of Mexico that warms the water and air off the coast. The climate still differs from place to place. Western Norway has a lot of rain. Eastern Norway has colder winters and warmer summers. The mountains and the inland are coldest.

Norway has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. It is therefore important to dress for the weather.

Norway also has a lot of protected nature. Many areas are national parks, and animals and plants are protected. Nature is important to many Norwegians, and outdoor life is a common pastime for all ages.

Svalbard, a group of islands far to the north, also belongs to Norway. Polar bears live there.

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Key points

Nature and climate in Norway

• Midnight sun: the sun does not set in summer in Northern Norway.
• The polar night is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, not by mountains or bad weather.
• The Gulf Stream makes the climate milder than expected this far north.
• The northern lights occur when particles from the sun hit the atmosphere.
• The weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains.
• Many nature areas are protected as national parks.

The right to roam (allemannsretten)

• The right to roam gives everyone the right to move in uncultivated land.
• You can pick berries, mushrooms and common flowers for free.
• A tent must be at least 150 metres from an inhabited house or cabin.
• The right to roam does not apply to cultivated land or gardens.
• Motor vehicles are forbidden off roads in uncultivated land.
• The basic rule is to show consideration and take your waste home.

Rules for dogs, fires, hunting and fishing

• The leash requirement for dogs in uncultivated land is 1 April to 20 August.
• The general ban on open fires in forest and countryside is 15 April to 15 September.
• Hunting requires the hunter's exam and the hunting fee.
• There are fixed hunting seasons; you cannot hunt all year.
• Fishing with a rod in the sea is free.
• Fishing in fresh water often requires a fishing licence.

Staying safe in the mountains

• The Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene) is a set of safety rules for the mountains.
• Plan the trip and tell someone where you are going.
• Check the forecast on yr.no and the avalanche warning on varsom.no.
• Turn back in time; there is no shame in turning around.
• Emergency numbers: 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire.
• Always wear a life jacket in a boat.

Waste sorting

• Sorting at source means sorting waste at home so it can be recycled.
• Food waste becomes biogas and fertiliser.
• Clean jam jars and tins go in glass and metal packaging.
• Hazardous waste, such as batteries and paint, goes to a recycling station.
• Old electrical devices are called electronic waste.
• Littering in nature is forbidden.

Deposits and reuse

• Deposit scheme: you pay extra for drink bottles and cans and get the money back when you return them.
• Deposit items are returned to a return machine in the shop.
• Reuse means using things again instead of throwing them away.
• Second-hand shops and flea markets are common in Norway.
• A circular economy means using resources for longer and creating less waste.
• Throwing away less food is good for the environment.

Energy and electricity

• Almost all electricity in Norway comes from renewable energy, mostly hydropower.
• The electricity bill consists of the electricity price and the grid fee.
• Norway has five electricity price areas.
• You can choose your electricity supplier yourself.
• Oil and gas from the North Sea bring large income but create emissions.
• A heat pump is a common, energy-saving way to heat a home.

Climate change and climate goals

• Climate change is caused partly by CO2 emissions from oil, gas and coal.
• The Paris Agreement is a UN agreement to limit global warming.
• Norway's goals are at least 55% cuts by 2030 and 70-75% by 2035, compared with 1990.
• By 2050 Norway must be a low-emission society.
• The green shift means the transition to a more environmentally friendly society.
• Sustainability means looking after resources for future generations.

Transport and electric cars

• Norway has the most electric cars per capita in the world.
• The state has given tax advantages for electric cars.
• It is not forbidden to drive a petrol car in Norway.
• Public transport is cheaper and better for the environment than driving.
• Tolls are used to reduce car traffic and fund roads.
• Many ferries in Norway are electric.

Food safety, animal welfare and nature protection

• Mattilsynet checks that food in shops and restaurants is safe.
• The Animal Welfare Act forbids unnecessary suffering for animals.
• Dogs must be ID-marked.
• Protected animals and plants must not be killed or harmed.
• National parks are large protected areas with their own rules.
• The Norwegian Environment Agency works to protect nature and reduce pollution.

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