NORWAY: a "green subsidy" for the fleet? The Norwegian "NOx Fund"

Norwegian companies in the fisheries industry, instead of paying 15 Norwegian Krona (NOK) per kg. of NOx in the form of a tax, will pay NOK 4 into a fund, the "NOx Fund", which shall in turn, allocate financial support to individual undertakings in order that emission reducing measures may be implemented.

The fund, which is also implemented for other industries, is run by an independent body financed by the participants.

The competition and "state aid" wacht-dog ESA (EEA Surveillance Authority) has concluded after scrutinising the Norwegian scheme that this is a "green" subsidy.

For more information about the scheme:

http://www.eftasurv.int/information/pressreleases/2008pr/dbaFile14424.html

Here is the ESA report:

http://www.nho.no/getfile.php/filer%20og%20vedlegg/ESAs%20vedtak%282%29.pdf

For more information about ESA:

http://www.eftasurv.int/