Norway Pauses Funding to UN Environment Programme Ahead of Revised Budget

Norway has paused funding to the United Nations Environment Programme before the body presents its revised budget on 12 May. The decision was communicated to the programme's executive director during a meeting the week before last. It has prompted concern among member states and non-governmental organisations involved in environmental work.

Norway contributed approximately $12 million annually to the core fund over the three years to 2025. It also provided $19 million to the Planetary Fund and $7.8 million in earmarked funds in 2025. Even a temporary pause introduces significant uncertainty for the agency at a time when the wider United Nations faces severe financial pressure.

The Guardian reported that an email was sent to NGOs postponing a funding call valued at £4 million to £6 million a year. The programme supports projects to combat plastic pollution in developing countries and can be used to assist nations in the plastic treaty process.

Countries have been negotiating since 2022 on how to address the volume of plastics being produced and used. Six rounds of talks have taken place without agreement. The negotiations are widely viewed as addressing one of the most serious environmental issues.

Norway co-leads the high ambition coalition with Rwanda at the talks. The coalition is seeking a legally binding instrument covering the full life cycle of plastics. This position differs from that of a small group of petrostates. Last year the chair of the process resigned suddenly with the talks in disarray.

A new chair was elected this year and negotiations are expected to resume in early 2027. A Norwegian environmental foundation that works closely with the programme expressed concern that the funding pause could give other countries an excuse to lower their level of ambition.

The foundation noted Norway's past leadership role in pushing for a strong global plastics treaty.

Oil and gas is Norway's largest economic sector with petroleum revenues amounting to £52 million in 2025. Last week the government approved plans to reopen three North Sea gasfields to address energy supply gaps linked to conflict in the Middle East.

The country is governed by a centre-left minority administration that has positioned itself internationally as a supporter of climate diplomacy and the plastics treaty. Officials stated that the postponement of certain funding streams follows the completion of one agreement last year and an ongoing assessment process for future cooperation.

That assessment is scheduled to conclude in mid-2026. One official added that another stream has been postponed but work will resume in the near future. This follows a recent parliamentary statement that Norway would continue funding to combat plastic pollution with an ambition to spend 1 billion kroner between 2025 and 2028.

The government cited an unpredictable economic situation requiring careful budget consideration.