Oil for Development - Annual Report 2020 Annual Report 2020

Foreword  2020 was the most challenging year in Oil for Development’s fifteenyearlong history. Travel restrictions and social distancing rules had amajor impact on a programme that traditionally has relied on physicalmeetings, peer-to-peer learning and workshops as key methods forcapacity development. In some projects the shift to digital collaborationworked out very well, whereas in others it was more challenging. A highlevel of trust and strong ownership from partner institutions has beencrucial success factors. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the health, economic andsocial conditions in developing countries. The pandemic immediatelycaused turmoil in the oil and gas market. At the same time, globalefforts to achieve the climate goals give rise to increased uncertaintyregarding the long-term outlook for the sector. A carbon-constrainedworld will affect all petroleum producing countries, in particular newproducers and resource development in remote and undevelopedregions. In recent years Oil for Development scaled up activities onclimate risk assessment, scenario analysis and measures to addressgas flaring and methane emissions. A process to review and reformthe Oil for Development programme in view of the goals of the ParisAgreement was initiated in 2020. I extend my gratitude to everyone who has walked the extra mile todeliver good results in these challenging circumstances. Thank you! Per Andreas W. LarsenActing Assistant DirectorOil for Development section, Norad