Officials say Norway’s greenhouse gas emissions rose nearly 3 percent to record levels last year.

The national statistics agency blames the pollution on the startup of a new natural gas plant in the Arctic.

Statistics Norway said Tuesday that the rise in emissions stems from difficulties starting up StatoilHydro ASA’s new liquefied natural gas plant on Norway’s northern tip.

Officials say the increase from 2006 levels follows two years of declining emissions.

Deputy Environment Minister Heidi Soerensen says Norway will meet its commitments to cut carbon dioxide emissions by investing in pollution-reduction projects in other countries.