– The toughest thing is to find out the chaos, says former minister – NRK Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
The Minister will make his debut on the international stage during the UN’s major climate conference. In addition to Espen Barth Eide, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will also participate, as Erna Solberg did in 2019.
The new minister has has to look at getting ready. There is a lot to get acquainted with.
Eide has been our energy and environmental policy spokesperson for the Labor Party for four years, and also has our foreign minister. But in his role as responsible minister for climate and environment, he is new.
– Into a bubble
Tine Sundtoft was new in the same role eight years ago. The former Minister of Climate and Environment has the following advice for the debutant:
– You go into a bubble that lasts for several days, so it is important to think through practical things that must be handled, so that you are not stressed by it. Pack a large suitcase with clothes that fit together, because you do not have time to think about what to wear. Bring shoe polish, make sure you have good shoes, because you walk a lot, she says.
It is also important to ensure a respite between strokes.
– Go through the delegation room every now and then and sit down – I hope they have a good “sack” – because this is extremely demanding with a lot of people and a lot of noise.
– Find out from the chaos
Glasgow Climate Summit, COP26, will be an “anthill” with up to 25,000 participants from nearly 200 countries. Around 100 heads of state and government are waiting for the opening.
The aim is first and foremost to get the countries to commit to more comprehensive cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions, to help the poor countries financially and to put in place the last pieces of the regulations for the Paris Agreement.
– The toughest thing is to find out the chaos, which is the most important thing, work thoroughly through the meeting program, would be a good omen, she says and adds that the support from the negotiator and the rest of a very competent delegation is crucial.
– Must have a clear strategy
Former Minister of the Environment and Development Erik Solheim has many long days and cannot aim for a climate summit.
– For a new minister, this is a big challenge. It is a hotbed of activists, politicians, business leaders and lobbyists. And if you do not have a clear Norwegian message, you can come along, then no one can give you the right.
– What is the Minister’s most important role?
– It is to have a clear political focus on what Norway wants to achieve in Glasgow. For everyone else, their interest has interests to work for.
– Do people care about little Norway?
– People are interested in Norway when we have something to deliver, otherwise not. Then we are just one of 200 countries in the world. Norway is a tiny little country, we have a per mille of emissions in the world, we are a small part of the world economy. So without a clear strategy, you fell completely dead to the ground in the climate negotiations, says Solheim.
– Challenge both the UN and the government
Sofie Nordvik was a youth representative in the official delegation until years ago. She has seen the Minister’s challenges up close.
-The Minister must have the method and will to create change, and the will to challenge both the UN system and the government as his home. Because the two things have to work together, she says.
Do not hide the fact that international climate negotiations are complicated matters.
– As a Minister of State in Glasgow, one must familiarize oneself with thousands of details, listen to both bureaucrats and political opponents and friends, and listen to civil society to find good solutions. One must have both willpower and the ability to act politically, and be good at listening, says Nordvik.
Build networks
Both of the two former ministers emphasize how important it is to make staff medical contacts at a climate summit.
– I myself had our ministers for a few weeks before I was at the climate summit in Warsaw, says Tine Sundtoft.
– I had lots of individual meetings with ministers there. Then I became acquainted with people, and built on it until the meeting in Lima the following year. Between Lima and Paris, for example. 450 hours of international meetings. I emphasized being present, building relationships.
– Can affect
Erik Solheim calls the climate summit a fantastic “marketplace” for ideas, exchange of opinions and networking.
– If you manage to get really good personal contacts, people who are interested in you, who think you have something to contribute, then it can be very valuable for the time afterwards. If you know politicians and business leaders from all over the world, then you have a completely different ability to be able to take political initiatives.
– Does a Norwegian minister have real power to influence what happens?
– Knowing what you want has a big impact. If you have no idea what you want, then you will be a ship that will just be propelled around by the waves in Glasgow.