Increase in extraction of natural resources

In 2015, about 38 million tonnes of natural resources, other products and waste were imported, while exports of the same materials were 224 million tonnes. Fossil energy materials have clearly the largest share both in domestic extraction of natural resources and exports. The exported goods contain mainly fossil energy materials and carriers, which comprised 76 per cent of the total export.

Export of waste for final treatment and disposal increased significantly in the last few years. A likely explanation for this increase can be cheaper waste treatment in other countries.

Extraction of non-metallic minerals increased by 61 per cent from 2010 to 2015 and by 35 per cent from 2014 to 2015. Statistics show a significant increase in the export of biomass and biomass products from 2010 to 2015, while the export of fossil energy has been stable during the same period.

The economy-wide flow accounts are based on instructions in Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 on European Environmental Economic Accounts. Norway has annual reporting obligations under the regulation.