IN SHORT
The nuclear action plan aims to reduce the risk of serious accidents and radioactive contamination, and to prevent nuclear and other radioactive material from going astray.
In total, the Storting has allocated approximately NOK 2 billion for the nuclear action plan from 1995 to the present.
The action plan is financed with funds allocated from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (DSA) manages the funding and is the technical directorate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Why is Norway engaged?
The extensive nuclear activities during the Cold War, both civil and military, are the reason why significant amounts of radioactive waste and nuclear material are stored in unsafe conditions northwest Russia. The problems relate both to installations still in operation and to facilities that have been shut down.
This represents a risk to Norway with regard to health, the environment and other important social interests in the North, and is why Norway is part of the nuclear safety and security efforts.
The situation relating to security policy is changing. Norway faces a complex and unpredictable set of threats, with increased military activity in our area also. Internationally, there is concern that nuclear and other radioactive material could go astray and be used for warfare or terrorism.
International engagement
Russia is now largely resolving its own nuclear problems, with both financial support and technical expertise. Norway has previously been a driving force behind a broad international commitment to address the major nuclear security challenges in northwest Russia.
As long as there are nuclear activities and sources of contamination in our area, it is in our interests to cooperate closely with Russia.
Strengthened cooperation with Ukraine
The destabilisation in Ukraine has had an impact on nuclear security in that country. Because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, there are large amounts of nuclear and other radioactive material that are not under the control of the authorities. Norway’s cooperation with Ukraine has been strengthened. Measures have been put in place to help increase security at nuclear power plants and strengthen border controls to prevent smuggling and terrorism.
Revisions
The nuclear action plan was established in 1995 and has since been revised in 1998, 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2018.