Nordic Stocktake Pathways To Climate Neutrality

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-545/ The UNFCCC Global Stocktake will be conducted during COP28 in December 2023. The Nordic Stocktake report is intended as a regional tool to support the Global Stocktake process and spur to further climate action, both within the Nordics and beyond. The Nordic region needs to increase the pace of the green transition if we are to lead by example. The report is a stocktake of GHG emissions in the Nordic countries, and a description and assessment of the different national pathways towards climate neutrality in the Nordic region. Many of the challenges on the path towards climate neutrality are not unique to the Nordic countries and solving these in the Nordic region – in countries well-positioned to do so – would prove valuable for global climate action. The report highlights common challenges across the Nordic countries and proposes opportunities for further cross-Nordic collaboration.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-037/ This policy brief highlights the main takeaways from the project “Nordic Stocktake and Visions – Pathways to climate neutrality”. The project has resulted in two main reports: Nordic Stocktake – Pathways to Climate Neutrality & Nordic Visions of Climate Neutrality. The Nordic Stocktake concludes that the Nordics need to accelerate the green transition, especially within transport, industry and agriculture. Countries that have the tools, know-how and institutional and financial capacity can demonstrate mitigation options in all sectors. The project's visions of a climate neutral Nordic society is not just only about emission reductions and technology. The net zero transformation creates opportunities, jobs and spurs investments and innovation. Nordic climate neutral societies are in social and environmental balance. A smarter society with inclusive democracy and long-term policies.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-038/ Visions are powerful tools in spurring action and creating support for the green transition. In the light of this, climate change policies need to be aligned with visions. The report shows that the Nordic countries share many of the same visions. Importantly, visions of a climate neutral Nordic society are not just about emission reductions and technologies. Instead, visions are about issues such as physical and mental health, spare time, and strong communities. This report is meant as a starting point for further dialogue about positive visions of climate neu-trality. From citizens to politicians, we all need to start thinking about what “a good life” is in a climate neutral world. The report presents a range of different visions derived from interviews with Nordic experts and thought leaders and from discussions at the Nordic Pavilion at COP27.

Available online: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:norden:org:diva-6010 “The aim of the Nordic countries is to be carbon neutral and to demonstrate leadership in the fight against global warming.” These were the words of the Nordic prime ministers in their declaration at a summit in Helsinki as part of active Nordic climate co-operation under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Each of the five Nordic countries has national goals for becoming carbon neutral before or by mid-century. In the Helsinki Declaration the Nordics committed themselves to assess the scenarios for how the different Nordic countries can achieve their respective carbon neutrality goals, including implications for various sectors. The aim of this study is to contribute to making this assessment possible and to highlight areas where co-Nordic initiatives can strengthen the Nordic countries’ aims towards carbon neutrality.

The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard helps companies and other organizations to identify, calculate, and report GHG emissions. It is designed to set the standard for accurate, complete, consistent, relevant and transparent accounting and reporting of GHG emissions.

This report presents policy reform options to support Lithuania in meeting its climate neutrality target. It takes stock of Lithuania’s current and planned climate policies and assesses their potential for meeting the country’s climate ambitions.

This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy sources - bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind energy - as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It considers the environmental and social consequences associated with the deployment of these technologies and presents strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. SRREN brings a broad spectrum of technology-specific experts together with scientists studying energy systems as a whole. Prepared following strict IPCC procedures, it presents an impartial assessment of the current state of knowledge: it is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive. SRREN is an invaluable assessment of the potential role of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change for policymakers, the private sector and academic researchers.

This report is the third OECD review of Iceland’s environmental performance. It evaluates progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with a focus on the environmental aspects of Iceland's energy and tourism policies.