Stockholm (NordSIP) – For several years, the Nordic countries have arranged common activities at the COP climate negotiations under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This year’s COP24, held from 3-14 December in Katowice, is no different, with a joint “Nordic Pavilion” on-site to discuss Nordic solutions and challenges, create dialogue and share Nordic knowledge as to how to secure sustainable societies for future generations.
Under the heading “Sustainable Development the Nordic Way”, the Nordic pavilion has been highlighting work done throughout the Nordics in parallel with the global Sustainable Development Goals. The dialogue aspect of the pavilion – “TalaNordic” – has focused on key themes of transitioning to a low-carbon society, such as the circular economy, green financing, energy, transport and urban futures.
Dialogue and workshops are based on 12 strategic recommendations laid out in a Nordic Council report published earlier this year, The Nordic Countries in the Green Transition – More Than Just Neighbours:
1) Make a major contribution to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and Agenda both in the Nordic Regions and globally;
2) Develop and implement an action plan for Nordic co-operation in a low-carbon society;
3) Establish a Nordic forum on a toxin-free, circular economy for plastics;
4) Promote knowledge-based substitution of hazardous substances via the EU’s regulation of chemicals;
5) Build greater awareness of the benefits of a green transition;
6) Contribute to Nordic co-operation on promoting exports of Nordic green solutions;
7) Support and strengthen the Nordic ecolabel;
8) Support the Nordic countries in their endeavours to optimise the use of public funds to promote the green transition;
9) Organise a Nordic summit on the development of green financial markets;
10) Develop a plan for Nordic co-operation in international forums;
11) Develop a Nordic action plan for climate resilience of ecosystems and diversity in nature;
12) Refine forms of cooperation that generate even greater Nordic synergies.
“Nordic countries base their climate efforts on trust, close dialogue between the private and public sectors, and academia that seizes the opportunity to lead the way,” said Tine Sundtoft, Norway’s former minister for climate and the environment and the author of the report. “Looking across the region, we already have most of the solutions; we just need audacious policies to speed up implementation.”
Sundtoft said the major changes must come in energy and transportation. In addition, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Generation 2030 programme places particular emphasis on SDG12 – sustainable production and consumption patterns in trying to deal with the challenges posed by overconsumption.
Participants to the pavilion hosting roundtables and other interactive forums included the Nordic Development Fund, the Arctic Youth Network, the Nordic Investment Bank, Nordregio and Nordic Innovation.
For a good oversight of some of the central themes and participants, read here.
