Norwegian industry plans to up fossil fuel production despite Paris pledge

Norway has pushed for coal and oil to stay in the ground but industry head argues burning Norwegian gas will help lower Europe's emissions as it is cleaner than coal

Norway wants other countries to leave their coal and oil in the ground to meet new global climate change targets, but its industry is planning to increase production of its own fossil fuels.

"We know that if we burn all the coal, oil and gas available, the Paris agreement cannot be fulfilled. Significant parts of the total fossil resources must remain, untouched," said Karl Eirik Schjitt-Pedersen, director of the Norwegian oil and gas association and a former minister of finance.