4. Mapping of policy instruments for energy efficiency in the Nordics

4.1. Denmark

4.1.1 Building sector

• Sparenergi.dk: Danish Energy Agency's website serving as a communication backbone with end users concerning energy efficient solutions. It offers telephone support and email advice.

• Knowledge Centre for Energy Savings in Buildings: Centre that disseminates knowledge about energy efficient solutions.

• Sparenergi.dk Website that provides various digital tools that assist users in enhancing their energy efficiency.

• Danish Energy Agency collects and shares detailed energy statistics covering production, consumption, prices, and GHG emissions. Statistics Denmark compiles a variety of statistical data, including energy related information.

• In 2022, a national campaign was launched to reduce energy use in Danish households by reducing consumption of gas and electricity with a special focus on electricity use reduction during peak hours.

• National Building Regulation (BR18): Regulation setting overall energy consumption requirements for new and renovated buildings, since 2006, including a voluntary low energy Building Class 2020 for new buildings.
• Energy Performance Certificate Act (Energimærkningsloven): Legislative framework requiring buildings that are sold, rented, or constructed to undergo an energy assessment and receive an energy label based on their efficiency. The energy label, accompanied by an energy plan, helps property owners identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption and improving building performance.
• Energy labelling of windows: Collaboration between the Danish Energy Agency and the Window Industry, promoting energy-efficient windows with a requirement for B-rated (or A-rated for building class 2020) replacements.
• Order on individual metering: Initiative that requires individual measurement of consumption for electricity, gas, water, heating, and cooling, aiming to motivate lower resource consumption.
• Act on the Promotion of Energy Savings in Buildings: Act that supports energy efficiency and flexible consumption in buildings.

• Subsidy schemes for private buildings: The building pool, established under the 2018 Energy Agreement, which was split into two new funds in the summer of 2023, i.e., the heat pump fund, supporting conversions away from oil and gas furnaces, and the energy renovation fund, promoting energy savings through renovation measures, such as windows, retrofitting insulation, etc., in residential buildings; the scrapping scheme for grants covering up to 45% of eligible costs for heat pump conversion; and the renovation of social housing scheme, to encourage renovation efforts in the social housing sector for the benefit of tenants; and the district heating pool for conversion projects where energy-efficient district heating networks are rolled out in new district heating areas and where individual oil and gas boilers are converted to district heating.
• Subsidies for energy efficiency in public buildings:  Subsidy pool targeted at public buildings implementing energy saving measures.
• Green financing for individuals and municipalities: Loans and bonds with low interest rates available through credit institutions, such as KommuneKredit, for both municipalities and private entities, supporting energy efficiency initiatives that contribute to a reduction in CO₂ and/or energy consumption.
• Building job scheme: Scheme that provides tax deductions for salary expenses related to energy-efficient building improvements, with deductions for cleaning services and building improvements.
• Tax-deduction scheme: Initiative enabling individuals to deduct salary expenses for green initiatives in private buildings, covering labour costs, including VAT, for home renovations such as window replacement and heating system upgrades.
• Subsidy scheme to phase out oil and gas boilers with district heating or heat pumps: Scheme supporting the transition from oil and gas boilers in private homes, among other measures, and promoting energy efficiency.

• Low-energy Building Class 2020: Sets voluntary, stricter energy efficiency standards to encourage nearly zero-energy buildings through enhanced insulation, airtightness, and renewable energy use.
• Environmental certifications: Various certifications, such as DGNB Denmark, BREEAM, LEED and Swan Ecolabel for construction.
• Synergy: Organisation promoting smarter and more efficient use of energy in Denmark.

4.1.2 Industry sector

• Sparenergi.dk: Online platform offering tips on reducing energy consumption, targeting corporations with guides, checklists, and requirement specifications for energy-efficient installations.
• National energy saving campaign: Campaign launched in 2022, targeting businesses for reducing energy consumption, with advice and guidance across sectors.

• Mandatory energy audits: Audits mandated by the EU's EED since 2012 and enforced in Denmark by Executive Order 624 of 2023. The audits target companies with over 250 employees and specific financial thresholds. While audits are mandatory, there is no obligation to implement suggested savings measures. Additionally, Denmark has introduced an emission reduction requirement as part of the audits.

• Business pool scheme: Grants aimed at energy efficiency improvements in process energy across industrial, service, and commercial sectors. Private companies can receive subsidies covering up to 50% of project costs.
• Energy tax rates for businesses: Taxation on energy consumption for process purposes within businesses, aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. A planned tax increase, as part of the Green Tax Reform, is designed to encourage businesses to transition to greener energy solutions.
• Conversion aid: Part of the Green Tax Reform for Industry, implemented in 2022, to support businesses most affected by the CO₂ tax, helping them transition to more CO₂-efficient energy sources.
• Subsidies for renewable energy: The Danish Energy Agency administers a wide range of support schemes for renewable energy when electricity is produced.
• Green financing for companies: Some companies can access green loans from credit institutions like KommuneKredit if supported by a municipal guarantee. These loans are approved only for investments that lead to CO₂ reductions and/or lower energy consumption, provided the initial energy use relies on non-fossil resources.

• Implementation of ISO 50001 on energy management system.
• Climate targets: Targets set on a voluntary basis by several Danish companies, to align with and support the national and international climate goals.

4.2 The Faroe Islands

4.2.1 Building sector

• SEV: Faroese energy company that, among other services, provides advice on energy-saving measures for households.

• Orka.fo: Website managed by the Energy Department of the Faroese Environment Agency, offering guidance on heat pumps, real-world energy data, and expert answers to promote sustainable energy in the Faroe Islands.
  SEV's app: Application developed by SEV, which monitors the energy distribution on the mainland.

• Data from various heat pump systems around the country recorded by the Energy Department of the Faroese Environment Agency, since 2008.

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• Law on heat pumps: Regulation governing the planning, installation, operation, and supervision of heat pump systems. It sets requirements for heat pumps since 2012, including approval requirements for installers and well drillers.
• Faroese building regulation (BK17): Regulation, implemented in 2017 and based mostly on Danish regulations, providing requirements for several areas such as energy consumption, building envelope thermal performance, and ventilation and indoor environment.

• Value added tax (VAT) exemption on heat pumps: Initiative that encourages the installation of heat pumps in homes by exempting the purchase of this technology from VAT, promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions.

4.2.2 Industry sector

• Faroese Sustainable Business Initiative: Network of businesses targeting green transition and competitive sustainability, collaborative and individual strategic planning, alignment with UN SDGs, focusing on climate and nature.

4.3 Finland

4.3.1 Building sector

• Motiva Oy: State-owned sustainable development company that, together with local energy advisers, offers information, solutions, and advisory services for resource-efficient, effective, and sustainable choices.

• Building services communication forum: Platform among professionals, offering building owners and operators information on how to improve the energy efficiency of buildings through the proper maintenance of technical building systems. 
• Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA): Centre that produces information promoting advocating for ecologically sustainable, high-quality, and affordable housing.

• Statistics Finland is the main agency for official statistics, including energy data. The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) also provides energy-related statistics, emphasizing environmental aspects and sustainability.

• In 2022, the ‘Down a degree’ campaign to encourage people, companies and other organisations to save energy and to lower the demand for electricity during peak times.

• National building code for new buildings: Regulation requiring compliance with minimum energy efficiency standards, requiring calculations based on energy use, loss, and energy form. All new buildings must be nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs), defined by primary energy consumption.
• National decree for buildings undergoing renovation or alteration: Decree stating that energy efficiency should be enhanced during repairs, alterations, or changes in building use, if feasible technically, functionally, and economically.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Regulation: Mandatory regulation for all new and existing buildings when rented or sold, with guidance provided by Motiva and a database managed by ARA.
• Decree on smart meters: Initiative required by energy companies since a 2009 decree, with a revision in 2021 allowing energy community electricity distribution.
• Decree on numerical values of primary energy factors: Decree that is used in building regulations to guide the selection of energy sources, strongly affecting required energy efficiency levels.

• ARA funding: Granted subsidies for energy efficiency improvements in buildings, including phasing out oil and interest-subsidy loans for renovations in privately owned dwellings and municipally owned properties. Ara funding was discontinued after 2023.
• Government financial aid: Initiative that supports the conversion from oil or natural gas heating to non-fossil-fuel-based heating systems. Financial support is provided by the ELY Centre for individuals for work expenses related to replacing heating systems with renewable energy sources and district heating. ELY support will be discontinued after 2024.
• Tax credit for household expenses: Tax credit for household expenses in maintenance and renovation investments that promote energy efficiency in houses, with an increased tax credit for investments to replace oil heating from 2022 to 2028.
• Low-carbon built environment programme: A programme that supports projects to boost the development and dissemination of products, technologies, services and practices for the built environment. First requirements for calculating and reporting carbon balance of buildings are planned to come into force in 2025.
• Green financing for individuals and municipalities: Loans and bonds provided by banks for projects, such as energy-efficient renovations, the installation of renewable energy systems, and other sustainability measures. An example is MuniFin’s Green Bond for municipalities.

4.3.2 Industry sector

• Energy efficiency agreements (municipal, property and building, and oil-heated real estate sectors): Sector-specific initiatives aimed at promoting energy efficiency improvements through tailored action plans. These agreements involve commitments to energy saving measures, such as upgrading systems and integrating renewable energy, supported by government subsidies and monitored for progress to achieve substantial energy savings and sustainability goals.
• Environmental certifications: Various environmental certifications, including BREEAM, LEED, and Rakennustiedon ympäristöluokitus.
• Energy classification of windows: Voluntary initiative for manufacturers. It aims to facilitate comparisons between different window solutions made by builders and renovators

  Motiva Oy, “The energy classification of windows.” Accessed: Apr. 19, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.motiva.fi/en/home_and_household/renovate_and_maintain/the_energy_classification_of_windows

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• Energy Authority (Energiavirasto): Authority that regulates the electricity and gas markets, emission reductions, energy efficiency, and renewable energy use since 1995. It also provides oversight and promotion for industry compliance.
• Advisory service by local energy advisers: Information, solutions, and consulting services for resource-efficient, effective, and sustainable choices.
• Energy efficiency advice for companies: Initiative started in 2009 and implemented by Motiva Oy. It offers comprehensive advice to businesses, including sector-specific seminars, business visits, and the production of advisory materials, with no distinction by company size. Originally co-funded by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and trade associations.

• Mandatory energy audits: Audits required for large companies that have a key role in identifying and implementing energy saving measures to enhance overall efficiency.
• Energy efficiency requirements in environmental permits: National legislation incorporating the provisions of Council Directive (96/61/EC) on integrated pollution prevention and control, which mandates the consideration of energy efficiency in operations when granting environmental permits.

• Energy investment aid: Financial assistance for organisations to promote energy efficiency through new technology and renewable energy adoption. Businesses in energy efficiency agreements can also access aid for conventional energy efficiency technologies.
• Business Finland: Government agency that provides funding and loans for the development and commercialisation of new technological solutions.
• Subsidized energy audits programme: A programme offering subsidies for energy audits to encourage energy efficiency for SMEs and municipalities exempt from mandatory audits.
• In-depth energy analysis subsidy: Financial support for heavy industries as part of energy efficiency agreements, focusing on identifying measures or energy efficiency, use of renewables and other measures to pursue low-carbon operation.
• Green financing for companies: Loans provided by Finnish banks, such as OP and Nordea, to enterprises and housing communities for promoting energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy, and sustainable materials.

• Energy efficiency agreements (industries): Sector-specific initiatives designed to reduce energy consumption and achieve energy savings targets, with tailored action plans for various industries. Companies commit to implementing energy efficiency measures, including adopting systems such as ISO 50001, with regular monitoring and reporting.
• Implementation of ISO 50001 on energy management systems.
• Voluntary energy audits: Audits for SMEs and municipalities with government financial aid.

4.4 Iceland

4.4.1 Building sector

• Energy Centre of the Energy Authority: Centre offering offers individual consultations and advice about energy savings in households.

• National Energy Centre: Centre contributing to increased awareness of efficient energy use.
• Housing and Construction Authority (HMS): Agency providing information on energy standards for building.

• Icelandic National Energy Authority is the primary agency responsible for energy statistics. Statistics Iceland contributes to energy-related statistics, providing information on various aspects of energy use and production.

• Building a greener future led by HMS, is a collaborative project between government and stakeholders in the construction industry, focused on environmentally friendly constructions.

• Building Regulation n. 112/2012: Regulation managed by the Housing and Construction Authority focuses on increasing knowledge about energy use in buildings and implementing energy efficiency measures.
• Regulation for support to heating costs: Regulation supporting households with electrical heating without access to geothermal, including funding for geothermal district heating extension and heat pump installations.
• Laws on subsidies for heating costs: Laws that aim to subsidise heating costs for residential buildings not fully utilising geothermal heating, promoting environmentally friendly energy acquisition and efficiency improvements.

• Energy Fund’s initiatives: Initiatives including subsidies for energy exchange projects, covering one-third of the costs for transitioning to renewable energy sources. The Energy Fund has also offered grants for geothermal exploration, to support projects that aim to begin utilising geothermal energy for general space heating in areas where electricity and/or oil are currently used for space heating.
• Subsidy for home heating: Government subsidies for distribution and transmission costs of electricity for heating up to 40,000 kWh/year, aimed at people without access to geothermal energy.
• Subsidy for energy reducing equipment (including heat pumps): Initiative that offers a one-time subsidy for the initial costs of environmentally friendly energy production that reduces electricity heating or oil consumption.
• Green financing for individuals and municipalities: Financing options for projects that contribute to energy efficiency and have positive climate and environmental impact, provided by Icelandic banks such as Íslandsbanki and Arionbanki.
• Capital funding of new geothermal district heating systems: Initiative stemming from the heating subsidy laws, which provide funding equivalent to government subsidy savings over 12 years for the installation or expansion of geothermal district heating systems. These funds are payable to both district heating companies and homeowners.

• Green Building Council Iceland: Non-governmental organisation aimed at increasing focus on sustainable buildings.
• Various government and public initiatives: Initiatives targeting energy consumption reduction through measures such as energy-saving house reports and strategies for efficient lighting.
• Environmental certifications: Various certifications, such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for buildings and BREEAM, to certify sustainable buildings in Iceland that are surpassing national building code standards for energy efficiency.

4.4.2 Industry sector

• Energy Centre of the Energy Authority: Centre that, since 2005, has been enhancing public and business awareness about efficient energy use and energy savings. Focuses on new energy sources and educational material preparation.
• Energy Agency services: Services including consultations, advice, and financial incentives for adopting energy saving technologies. The Energy Agency also runs campaigns and provides information on energy options to individuals and businesses.

• Act on the Energy Fund (2020 No. 76): Regulatory instrument that established a fund to support efficient energy use in Iceland, focusing on reducing fossil fuel use and promoting renewable energy. Managed by a board, with daily operations overseen by the National Energy Authority, the fund provides grants and loans for energy security and climate-related projects. It is funded through state contributions and interest on the fund’s capital.

• Incentives for industrial energy conversion projects: Subsidies from the Energy Fund for transitioning to renewable energy sources.
• Green tax incentives: Tax deductions for environmentally and climate-friendly activities.
• Public support to agriculture, land use, and forestry: Financial support for activities contributing to the energy transition.
• Grants and loans for geothermal resources: Financial incentives to promote the utilisation of geothermal energy in cold areas. The Energy Fund allocated specific support for the exploration of geothermal resources in 2023–24.
• Green financing for companies: Financing options offered by banks to companies for projects supporting, for instance, green buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon savings.

• Energy efficiency initiatives: Examples include projects focusing on the electrification of fishmeal factories, energy efficiency improvements in aluminium production, and heat recovery in industrial processes.
• Implementation of ISO 50001 on energy management system.

4.5 Norway

4.5.1 Building sector

• Enova: State-owned enterprise that provides advice and support for energy efficiency and services in buildings. Available via chat, phone, and email.

• Enova's guidance: Support on energy saving measures tailored to various types of homes.
• Guidance on smart renovation of building: Service provided by the Norwegian Building Quality Directorate (DiBK), offering tips for smarter renovation.
• Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): Agency that actively promotes energy efficiency in buildings through surveillance and analyses of long-term trends. The focus for NVE in 2024 is to enhance resource efficiency, digitalisation, and regulatory capacity while addressing climate change adaptation, energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and resilience against flood and landslide risks.

• Enova's building statistics provided annual data on reported energy consumption, until 2017. Statistics Norway provides extensive information on energy production and consumption.

• National campaign on energy saving (sparenergi.no) to encourage saving electricity and energy through advice, tips, and links.

• Building Technical Regulation (TEK17): Regulation that establishes mandatory energy needs for buildings and is divided into 13 categories, with specific requirements for thermal transmittance, air leakage rate, and heat recovery of ventilation air. Fossil fuels heating systems installation banned in new buildings since 2017, and oil heating banned in all buildings from 2020. Applies to both new buildings and major renovations.
• Energy Labelling Regulation for buildings: Regulation requiring, since 1 July 2010, that all constructed, sold, or rented buildings must have an EPC rating from A (high efficiency) to G (low efficiency), valid for 10 years or until major renovations.
• Smart meters roll-out by 2019: Initiative implemented in 98% of metering points, facilitating hourly electricity consumption measurement and promoting time-of-use information

  International Energy Agency (IEA), Norway 2022. Energy Policy Review. in IEA Energy Policy Reviews. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2022. doi: 10.1787/7411c642-en.

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• Regulation for heating and hot water systems: Regulation stemming from the European standards for heating boilers, which were adopted as Norwegian standards since 1998. Among these standards, there is a section outlining boiler performance requirements, including a minimum efficiency prerequisite based on the nominal heat output. This latter requirement varies depending on the type and size of the boiler.

• Enova's incentives: Financial aid for energy efficiency measures to individuals, covering items like energy consultancy, storage systems, and solar thermal systems. Funding for energy mapping and performance improvement in commercial buildings is also available, covering up to 50% of costs with various maximum amounts.
• The Norwegian State Housing Bank (Husbanken)’s incentives: Loans and grants provided for building private houses that meet high environmental standards, as well as comprehensive upgrades of existing private houses. There is also a grant for energy measures in municipalities, focusing on reducing energy need in in municipal rental housing, care homes and nursing homes.
• Green loans/green upgrade loans and favourable insurance: Financing solutions offered by banks and insurance companies for energy-efficient buildings, typically with better terms than traditional loans and insurance. Green upgrade loans focus on improving existing buildings' energy efficiency through upgrades, such as insulation and solar panels. Most banks require an energy label of A or B for green loans, and some offer upgrade loans with a minimum energy improvement requirement of 30%.
• Energy and environmental taxes: Initiatives including the implementation of an energy tax on fuel oil, to deter a shift to oil products, as Norway's electricity taxes have been notably low compared to the European average.

• Criteria for passive houses and low energy buildings: Standards for energy efficiency in commercial (NS 3701:2012) and residential buildings (NS 3700:2013), including passive house and low-energy standards.
• Environmental certifications: Various certifications including LEED and BREEAM-NOR certification.
• FutureBuilt: Innovation programme aiming for zero-emission city development with 100 pilot projects.
• Powerhouse Alliance: Collaboration for sustainable buildings, setting standards based on the Paris Agreement.

4.5.2 Industry sector

• Informational support by NVE: NVE supports energy efficiency in industry by forecasting energy consumption trends, monitoring energy use, and analysing the impact of new sectors, such as battery factories and data centres. NVE also aids the transition to renewable energy in industry and advises on energy efficiency measures.
• Enova’s information dissemination and advice: Enova offers insights and advice on energy management, mapping, and diverse strategies tailored to various industries, aiding companies in streamlining energy consumption and enhancing efficiency.

• Amendments to the Energy Act: Amendments introduced in 2023, requiring industries to conduct cost-benefit analysis for the utilisation of excess heat in new or extensively upgraded facilities. Targets include power plants, industrial and energy production facilities over 20 MW, and data centres over 2 megawatt (MW). These amendments also mandate large enterprises to carry out regular systematic energy surveys to improve energy use understanding and to identify efficient measures.
• Mandatory energy audits: Audits required since 2023 to companies using more than 5 gigawatt-hour (GWh) per year, as part of EED 2012 implementation into Norwegian law, aiming to increase energy efficiency and conservation in significant energy consumers.

• Enova support programmes: Funding initiatives promoting efficient and flexible energy use, such as the climate and energy initiatives programme, which encourages heat recovery and the phase-out of fossil fuels; the heating plant programme, which supports renewable energy sources, such as bioenergy and heat pumps; and the Industry 2050 programme, which drives innovations for efficient energy use and reduced emissions, facilitating the industry's transition to a low-emission society.
• Support to research and innovation programmes: Funding provided by the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway to support the green transition, with a focus on low-emission energy solutions and sustainable technologies. For instance, the Green Platform offers support for business innovation in these areas, while Pilot-E funds the development of environmentally friendly energy technologies. Another example is the Norwegian Catapult Centre, aiming to accelerate the development of sustainable energy systems through its collaborative platforms.
• CO₂ tax exemption and compensation scheme: Instruments supporting energy-intensive industries by offsetting the additional costs and increased electricity prices imposed by EU carbon pricing. The purpose of these schemes is to reduce ‘carbon leakage’ – where production is moved abroad – due to increased energy costs by ensuring competitiveness in Norway. Recent updates include a long-term agreement through 2030, requiring industries to invest 40% of compensation into climate and energy efficiency measures.
• Green financing for companies: Favourable loan and insurance products and counselling provided by Norwegian banks and insurance companies to companies investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, or other environmentally sustainable projects.

• The Green Industrial Initiative: Initiative aimed at boosting Norwegian exports and contribute to Norway cutting its climate emissions in half by 2030.
• Implementation of ISO 50001 on energy management system.
• Energy efficiency and climate targets: Targets set on a voluntary basis by several Norwegian companies, such as those involved in oil and gas and aluminium production.

4.6 Sweden

4.6.1 Building sector

• Energy Boost: Multi-step training aimed at promoting the construction and renovation of low-energy buildings.
• Energy and climate advisory service: Support for individuals, private apartment building owners, and tenant-owner associations towards more energy-smart choices and a reduction of energy use. Energy and climate advisors help with questions about heating, energy efficiency, transport, energy costs and much more.

• National Renovation Centre (NRC): Centre that collaborates with industry and academia to improve building renovation efficiency. It focuses on supporting stakeholders with knowledge and insights for sustainable renovations.
• Information Centre for Sustainable Construction (ICHB): Centre that promotes energy-efficient, sustainable building practices by providing a platform of research and resources for building owners and entrepreneurs. Both aim to help make informed decisions on energy efficiency and life-cycle sustainability in construction and renovation projects.
• Technology procurement groups (such as BeSmå for single-family houses, BeBo for multifamily houses, and BeLok for commercial properties): Networks, named as innovation clusters since 2016, which focus on demonstration projects, developing energy-efficient methods, procuring new technology, and setting exemplary standards. They foster collaboration between industry, state agencies, and consultants to drive technology adoption and influence policies tailored to the Swedish market.
• Energy guide for sustainable renovation: Guide that provides information and support for sustainable choices when renovating houses, aiming to reduce energy consumption. The information is aimed at those who own a small or apartment building.

• Swedish Energy Agency promotes energy services and spreads information about energy services to increase competence among purchasers. Statistics Sweden compiles a variety of statistical data, including energy-related information.

• In 2022, the Swedish Energy Agency launched the ‘Every kilowatt-hour counts’ campaign to promote electricity savings and lower prices, alongside an energy efficiency campaign for single-family homeowners.

• Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning's Building Regulations (BBR, PBL, and PBF): Mandatory provisions for energy efficiency in new buildings and renovations, including maximum yearly energy-use limits according to climate zones. These regulations focus on improving insulation, reducing energy losses, and optimising heating efficiency, contributing to lower energy consumption in buildings.
• Energy Performance Certificate Act (2006:985): Regulation mandating that buildings in Sweden must have an energy declaration if they are sold, rented out, or if significant alterations are made. This declaration provides information on the building's energy performance, helping property owners and tenants make informed decisions about energy consumption and potential improvements.
• District Heating Act (2008:263): Law that regulates district heating in Sweden, ensuring efficient and environmentally responsible operation. It covers the production, distribution, and pricing of heating services, requiring transparency on pricing and renewable energy use. The law protects consumers by ensuring fair contract terms and mandates information on energy performance. It also promotes the use of renewable energy and efficient heating systems.
• District Cooling Act (2022:332): Law regulating district cooling in Sweden, focusing on metering, billing, and transparency of energy use. It mandates accurate measurement of dissipated heat, provides guidelines for invoicing, and ensures accessible information on energy performance and renewable energy shares. The Act also permits municipal district cooling operations in adjacent areas and establishes a framework for oversight and enforcement by a designated authority.

• Grants for energy efficiency in single-family houses: Programme supporting the conversion of heating systems and energy-efficient renovation of single-family houses currently using direct-acting electricity or gas. Eligible measures include heating system upgrades and building envelope improvements, such as façade renovations and replacement of windows or doors.
• Energy and CO₂ tax: Tax targeting energy savings in the household sector, with taxes on energy use and CO₂ emissions promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use.
• Tax deduction for renovations, conversions and extensions (ROT deductions): Tax credit covering 30%, introduced in 2008, to cover labour costs for house repairs, maintenance, conversions, and extensions, aiming to boost labour supply and combat undeclared work while also promoting energy efficiency.
• Climate leap: Financial support is provided for local and regional investments based on estimated GHG reductions per crown invested, including measures to reduce energy consumption in buildings. However, most energy efficiency applications, such as upgrading lighting, insulation, or ventilation in buildings, are rejected due to low emission reductions per investment, as electricity and district heating have relatively low emission factors.
• Tax credit for green technology: Since 2021, a tax credit supports the installation of green technologies, covering a percentage of costs for systems such as solar panels, energy storage, and electric vehicle chargers.
• Green financing for individuals: Energy loans to individuals for energy-saving projects, with no collateral required. These loans are earmarked for specific upgrades like energy-efficient home improvements or renewable energy systems. Banks, such as SEB, SBAB, Handelsbanken, and Swedbank, provide favourable terms, including lower interest rates for eco-labelled homes and solar energy investments.
• Resource-efficient built environment programme: Programme funded by the Swedish Energy Agency for research and innovation activities that contributes new knowledge and solutions for energy- and resource-efficient buildings without negative impact on the climate.

• Environmental certifications: Various certification including BREEAM SE, LEED, and Miljöbyggnad.
• Sveby: Programme to standardize and verify energy performance in buildings.
• Green rental agreements (Gröna hyresavtal): Contractual arrangements between landlords and tenants aimed at reducing environmental impacts, with a focus on energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainable practices.

4.6.2 Industry sector

• Swedish Energy Agency support: Initiative that acts as a point of contact for end users, offering information on energy services and assisting in market development for energy services. Also focuses on increasing competence among purchasers and providers.
• Energy and climate advisory service: Informational service provided by municipalities and supporting, among others, SMEs towards more energy-smart choices and a reduction of energy use. Energy and climate advisers help with questions about heating, energy efficiency, transport, energy costs and more.
• Business guidance: Resources supporting companies and organisations in enhancing energy efficiency through a systematic approach, including performing energy audits, setting policies and goals, creating action plans, implementing measures, and tracking results.
• Stakeholder cooperation in local nodes for energy efficiency: Local businesses are encouraged to collaborate on reusing residual heat, especially from large industrial facilities, by redirecting it to district heating or other users. This initiative is similar to technology procurement groups and operates at the municipal level, involving seven strategic nodes with over 100 actors from various sectors.

• Mandatory energy audits: Audits that were enforced by the Act on Energy Audits in Large Enterprises (EKL) from 2014, which obliges large companies to conduct quality-assured energy audits every four years. The audits must document annual energy usage, recommend cost-efficient energy reduction measures, and are divided into steps within a four-year period starting 2016. Results must be reported to the Swedish Energy Agency, which also provides guidelines for the process. Both private and public sectors are included, emphasising the comprehensive approach to energy efficiency. Energy audits must be performed by certified energy auditors.
• Environmental inspections and guidance: The Environmental Code, effective since 1998, emphasizes energy conservation and the use of renewable energy. Operators are required to gain knowledge on energy use, identify potential measures, and continuously implement reasonable actions.

• Energy and climate advice for SMEs: Financial support to local climate and energy advisers, offering tailored guidance on energy efficiency and climate measures for SMEs.
• Aid to technology procurements: Partial financing of the Swedish Energy Agency to technology procurements, which are methods to trigger producers to develop more energy-efficient and thereby more environmentally friendly products and systems.
• Energy and CO₂ tax: Tax targeting energy savings in the industry sector, with taxes on energy use and CO₂ emissions promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use.
• Industrial leap: Financial support introduced by the Swedish government in 2017 to fund projects aimed at reducing industrial GHG emissions, focusing on areas such as biofuels, hydrogen, recycling, and fossil-free steel.
• Climate leap: Financial support provided to local and regional investments based on estimated GHG reduction per crown invested. Example of eligible investments include biogas plants, substitution of oil with biofuel or district heating, extension of smaller district heating networks.
• Energy and climate transition of industry programme: Initiative funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, including research and development activities contributing to the national climate and energy goals, while also strengthening the international competitiveness of Swedish industries and universities.
• Green financing for companies: Major banks in Sweden offer energy loans with favourable terms for businesses financing energy-saving projects, such as renewable energy installations. These loans typically require no collateral and come with competitive interest rates, especially for eco-certified buildings and solar energy investments.

• Roadmaps for fossil-free competitiveness: Industry-specific roadmaps for becoming fossil free, focusing on policy follow-up, national strategies, public procurement climate requirements, regional action plans, and support for green industrial projects.
• Energy efficiency and climate targets: Targets established voluntarily by various Swedish companies, including those in the automative sector.
• Implementation of ISO 50001 on energy management system.