Policy Brief Batteries In The Nordics Changing For Circularity

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-524/ The overall aim of this project is to promote the Nordic countries as a forerunner region in demanding and using sustainable design of batteries for consumer electronics and the transport sector, and to identify key opportunities, barriers and challenges in the transition towards a more sustainable use of battery technologies. The aesthetics of the design should meet with the overall sustainability: high quality, durability and smart assembly for refurbishing.The project is funded by the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE) under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project has been carried out by Viegand Maagøe A/S (Denmark) and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Sweden) in the period 20 October 2020 to 31 December 2021.A reference group with representatives from the Nordics has been established, who provided valuable input to the study.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-523/ The overall aim of this project is to promote the Nordic countries as a forerunner region in demanding and using sustainable design of batteries for consumer electronics and the transport sector, and to identify key opportunities, barriers and challenges in the transition towards a more sustainable use of battery technologies. The aesthetics of the design should meet with the overall sustainability: high quality, durability and smart assembly for refurbishing.The project is funded by the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE) under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project has been carried out by Viegand Maagøe A/S (Denmark) and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Sweden) in the period 20 October 2020 to 31 December 2021.A reference group with representatives from the Nordics has been established, who provided valuable input to the study.

The transition to Circular Economy necessitates right incentives for choosing products and services with lower environmental impacts, in the form of price signals and sufficient environmental information. An ecolabel indicates that the product is, environmentally speaking, among the best products available on the market and thus has the role to steer stepwise developments towards sustainability. The Swan criteria promote quality products with requirements on durability and the use of secondary raw materials. To further align the criteria with Circular Economy, future criteria development might focus more on aspects including upgradability, reparability, multi-functionality, component reuse and innovative forms of consumption and production. This report was prepared as part of a Nordic project, and the results could be useful in the development of the Nordic Ecolabel in the future.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-507/ Deepened Nordic cooperation can speed up the circular economy and unlock multiple benefits and a sustainable, robust development path for the Nordic countries. This report explores how circular economy can be a key enabler for strengthening the Nordics as a region in the new geopolitical landscape. The report presents an overview of the benefits, status, and progress so far on circularity in the Nordics, an inventory of circular economy policies in the Nordics, and a first outline of opportunities for deepened Nordic collaboration and coordination to accelerate the circular transition and building a more resilient, sustainable Nordic region. The report highlights four areas where deepened Nordic cooperation can play an important role.

The circular economy is attracting significant interest worldwide, as evidenced by the numerous government strategies, business commitments and partnerships devoted to its development. At the EU level, the Action Plan for the Circular Economy and several other policy documents have demonstrated a strong commitment to move towards a low-carbon and circular economy. While the calls for a new economic model grow louder, it is clear that the transformation of markets and industries on a large scale will not be an easy achievement. It will require well-designed and ambitious policies to foster the transition as well as new business models. Against this background, CEPS brought together executives from major multinational companies as well as representatives of business associations, non-governmental organisations and research institutes to form a Task Force charged with tackling the immense challenges associated with the circular economy. This report is the outcome of their deliberations, guided by the co-chairmanship of Martin Stuchtey, Founder and Managing Partner of SYSTEMIQ Ltd and Stef Kranendijk, Affiliate Partner of SYSTEMIQ Ltd. It analyses the key obstacles that need to be addressed, explores numerous policy areas at the EU and national level where support can act as a catalyst for market transformation, and puts forward actionable policy recommendations.

The number of electric vehicles (cars, buses, e-bikes, electric scooters and electric motorcycles) sold in the Nordic countries is currently increasing quickly. That means that more electricity is used for driving, and also that more of some important metals are being used than earlier. This report regards the fate of the lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles in the Nordic countries. Currently the “Battery Directive” (EC, 2006) which is a producer’s responsibility directive, is under revision and this study is a knowledge base intended for use by the Nordic Environmental Protection Agencies for their referral response in the revision process. This report focuses on the aspect of metal resources, but it does not elaborate on a broader range of environmental impacts, as these were outside the scope of this study.