Continuity and convergence: reduction of water pollution in the Norwegian paper industry

This article investigates the reduction of water pollution at four Norwegian paper mills from the early 1970s until 1997. Especially during the 1990s water pollution from the mills has converged at a relatively low level. This is due to changes in the production processes, implementation of a common environmental strategy and investment in research and development. Over the years environmental improvements have become an integrated part of the technological trajectory in this industry. A common understanding of the problems and possible solutions between government and industry is one reason why we can talk about a greener technological trajectory. One reason for this common understanding is that the regulation of environmental problems in the paper industry has been based on the principles in Norwegian industrial policy. Integration of these principles into a site‐specific environmental policy meant that questions concerning the regional economy were judged against local water pollution problems. This means that the regulation of the paper industry has to be seen in both a historical, geographical and institutional context. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment.