The Nordic Countries In The Green Transition More Than Just Neighbours

The Nordic countries have been working together for several decades to protect nature and the environment. This report presents the recommendations that have emerged from an external strategic review of the potential for official Nordic co-operation on the environment and climate under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate. The recommendations relate to the following five main areas: specific solutions for a green transition, mobilising key players, funding green transition, international co-operation, and adaptation to climate change. This report is part of a series of strategic and prospective studies commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Previous strategic reviews have dealt with working life, health and energy. The strategic reviews are part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ reform programme.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2020-056/ This report presents the results of an analysis of the links between the green transition and social sustainability in the Nordic countries. The analysis examines what a socially sustainable green transition means in practice, and on that basis makes a number of recommendations to the Nordic countries. We have both gathered knowledge from existing initiatives and brought this to the ongoing debate in the Nordic countries on how social sustainability is integrated into the green transition. The aim of the report is to provide an understanding of the potential impact of this transition on social and economic equality in the Nordic countries, as well as of the tools that can be used to mitigate inequality-creating side effects.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-727/ Our Vision 2030 seeks to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. When pursuing such an ambitious goal, it is important to monitor progress closely and regularly. The Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned Rambøll Management Consulting to draw up a baseline measurement for Our Vision and paint a picture of where the Nordic Region stands now. While the report shows that the foundations for the work are solid and progress generally good, it also identifies a number of challenges and points out where there is room for improvement, especially in terms of the green transition.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2022-724/ In 2019, the Nordic prime ministers adopted a vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by the year 2030. The Nordic Council of Ministers was tasked with steering Nordic co-operation towards delivering this vision. The Nordic Council of Ministers is following a special action plan in its efforts relating to the vision for the period 2021 to 2024. Now, after almost two years, a mid-point evaluation has been produced. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine during the period, the Nordic Council of Ministers has delivered concrete results and made an impact. The activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers are being steered towards supporting the Nordic countries as well as possible in their realisation of the vision. Efforts relating to the green transition have been bolstered by way of DKK 120 million in additional funding thanks to a budget redistribution in the period 2021 to 2024. The mid-point evaluation was approved by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation in September 2022.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2021-044/ This study performed by the think tank Mandag Morgen and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers examines the digital green transition in the Nordic-Baltic region. The study consists of three main parts. The first part maps the current policy initiatives relating to the digital green transition in the countries. The second part analyses positions of strength within the Nordic-Baltic region in relation to the EU and the world. The third part presents 10 recommendations for policy initiatives to accelerate the digital green transition in the Nordic-Baltic countries.

In 2018 the Nordic Council of Ministers published a report urging more Nordic cooperation on environment and climate. The report proposes 12 recommendations, whereof more active sharing of knowledge and experience with green public procurement. The aim of this project was to develop cooperation between large Nordic cities in the form of a public buyer's network. The network was to conduct market dialogues on a selected area and promote environmental solutions. Gathering public contracting authorities with the same need and then challenge the market together is an effective way to create a larger market for newly developed solutions. The topic has been to work towards zero emission delivery of goods. From 2019 until the autumn of 2021 there have been various activities which you can read about in this report.

This is an account of the Swan label’s first thirty years, written in chronological order with short chapters each illustrating various aspects of the scheme. There are few areas of public life in which there have been so many vague pronouncements as for environmental protection. Perhaps that’s because it’s so easy to agree on the goals, but sohard to find the right solutions and practise what you preach. Here at the Nordic Swan, we’ve done things properly from dayone by setting concrete, measurable environmental performance requirements and turning the environment into a competitive advantage. There have been many conflicts and disagreements, but no one can deny that ecolabelling has led to significant environmental improvements. The Nordic region with its 30 million people is the world’s twelfthlargest economy, and this makes a difference when businesses plan product changes and marketing campaigns. The label is a success far beyond the borders of the Nordic region.