• Norway, the largest donor to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has paused funding ahead of its revised budget on May 12, causing concern among member states and NGOs.
  • The pause could impact the already troubled plastic treaty negotiations, which have stalled after six rounds of talks.
  • Norway contributed approximately $12 million annually to UNEP, plus an additional $19 million in 2025 to the Planetary Fund.
  • Norad postponed a funding call for projects combating plastic pollution in developing countries, valued at €4-6 million per year.
  • Norway co-leads the high-ambition coalition in plastic treaty talks, pushing for a legally binding instrument on the full life cycle of plastics.
  • Oil and gas is Norway’s largest sector, and the government has been criticized for approving the reopening of North Sea gas fields.

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