Drilled Bonus, The Black Thread: A Legal Case Brings the Norwegian Paradox to Light
Dec 29, 2025
Eri Melhus, Deputy leader of Natur og Ungdom, sheds light on the controversial electrification of the Melkøya gas processing plant. She discusses how this move is seen by critics as mere greenwashing rather than genuine climate action. The conversation also explores the implications for Sami land, highlighting concerns over lack of consent and the impact on reindeer herding. Melhus emphasizes the need for true climate commitments from politicians while questioning who truly benefits from continued fossil fuel production.
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Electrification Can Be Greenwashing
- Electrifying Melkøya looks like a domestic emissions win but may not cut global emissions because exported gas will still be burned elsewhere.
- Presenting electrification as a climate measure can be greenwashing if associated downstream emissions are ignored.
Courts Now Consider Downstream Emissions
- Recent rulings require states to assess full climate harm, including exported emissions and health impacts, not just territorial emissions.
- Attribution science now lets courts quantify harms like mortality, sea ice loss, and other climate impacts from specific emissions.
Electrification Extends Fossil Lifetime
- Electrifying Melkøya would extend the plant's life by ~20 years and enable the export of much more gas.
- Government analysis estimates burning that extra gas emits over 150 million tonnes CO2, far outweighing local cuts.