Many expected the Norwegian parliamentary elections to be a victory for climate action. This, probably, did not happen.

Despite the focus on the climate crisis during the election campaign, election results announced late Sunday night show the majority of Norwegians did not vote for the more environmentally-oriented parties.

The Green Party has failed to even cross the 4 percent barrier required to be represented in parliament.

As in the image of the election results, the outgoing Minister of Oil and Energy, Tina Bru, announced on Wednesday that a large number of oil companies wanted to drill as part of the latest government awards in predefined areas ( APA).

According to the minister, a total of 31 companies have submitted a request for tender in the context of the call for tenders. No less than 84 blocks are offered, including 70 in the Barents Sea.

“I am happy that the oil companies still see good opportunities on the Norwegian shelf,” Bru said in a comment.

“Exploration is important to maintain activity and good management of resources, and lays the foundation for the creation of value and secure jobs throughout the country,” she said.

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Environmentalists are deeply frustrated by Norwegians’ persistent hunger for oil.

“Are there adults at home? Frode Pleym, head of Greenpeace Norway, rhetorically asked when the Norwegian government announced the next licensing round in early June.

This is a “black oil policy”, he stressed.

Norwegian oil policy is gaining increasing attention beyond the country’s borders. On Monday, the day after the Norwegian elections, the Danish newspaper Information devoted its entire front page to the paradoxical Norwegian energy policy.

“Dear Norway. If you, who have an oil fund of 12 trillion crowns, cannot undertake a rapid green transformation, then no one can. We are impatiently awaiting the climate plan of the new government ”, we read on the front page of the newspaper.

The article is addressed to Jonas Gahr Store, the Social Democratic leader who will be the next Norwegian Prime Minister.

“Gone are the days when you could buy yourself for free, it’s time to bring the fight home,” the newspaper writes. He also refers to a study which shows that Norway is the Nordic country whose population is least concerned about the climate crisis.

“Dear Jonas Gahr Støre: Norway not only has all the right preconditions, but also an obligation to lead green transformation. It is a difficult task, we know that. But if Norway can’t, then who can?