Goal 1: The Nordic Region will be a leading player in the transition to climate neutrality and climate resilience, and it will work towards an ambitious implementation of the long-term goals in the Paris Agreement

The Nordic Region is and shall remain a leading player in the climate transition. All actors in society must contribute to and be given the opportunity to participate in the transition, and no-one must be left on the sidelines. The Nordic Region must show that it is possible to live within the limits of the planet and still enjoy a high degree of prosperity. We are a driving force behind the development and better utilisation of synergies in the work being undertaken to reduce climate emissions, to preserve biodiversity and to curb air pollution. We recognise important Nordic industries and address both the challenges and the opportunities. Through Nordic co-operation, we can bolster our possibilities to influence and accelerate efforts to attain climate neutrality, climate resilience and clean air, both within the EU and globally, while also benefiting from positive experiences around the globe. The Nordic countries can contribute a solid scientific foundation relating to air quality and climate, and thus they have a unique opportunity to influence global development.

Nordic co-operation shall contribute a high level of ambition for the development and implementation of the EU and UN’s climate efforts. This goal encompasses collaboration around new knowledge, policy development and the implementation of objectives and provisions. Like other early industrial nations, the Nordic countries have a responsibility to contribute towards the climate efforts of other countries and to facilitate a just transition. This can be achieved through the development of solutions that show it is possible to reduce climate emissions while still retaining a high level of prosperity, and by assisting with knowledge and competencies in negotiations and other contexts. We must both leverage and communicate synergies between air quality and the climate. We must also respect the unequal conditions that the planet’s populations have when it comes to leveraging knowledge and solutions from other places around the globe.

The transition to 100% fossil-free transportation will require many different measures and behavioural changes.  We need to continue to develop technologies and make it easier for Nordic citizens and companies to choose sustainable means of transportation. In addition to other areas, the Nordic countries need to collaborate within the areas of aviation and maritime transportation, heavy-goods transportation over land, infrastructure for sustainable fuels and the transition of the vehicle fleet. It is important that the Nordic countries share information with each other and work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from global aviation and maritime transport. The end goal is a green and sustainable transition of the transport sector that will reduce climate emissions, air pollution and noise pollution.

Emission-intensive sectors need to undergo a green transition. Carbon dioxide and methane gas emissions affect both the climate and air quality. Emissions of ammonia and nitrogen can be harmful both to nature and to human health. Nordic co-operation needs to promote the transition of a number of key sectors such as energy, industry, food production, agriculture and forestry, fishing, construction and urban development. The Nordic Region is facing huge challenges, but also considerable opportunities as we seek substantially to increase our production of fossil-free energy so that it can meet the needs of the future. We must support new technologies and the development of infrastructure relating to carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Solutions based on natural absorption must also be promoted. Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is one way to attain negative carbon emissions. Raw material resources in the form of metals and minerals that are needed for the green transition also need to be extracted, used and recirculated in a responsible manner. We must work to ensure that Nordic solutions, networks, companies and knowledge institutions are given the right conditions for development such as greater clarity in regards to regulations and reporting requirements.

Extreme weather conditions, which can lead to flooding, droughts and violent storms, are expected to become more common, even in the Nordic Region. Rising temperatures cause the permafrost to melt and the ice caps to shrink. Moreover, it is also likely that our societies will be affected by the effects of changing climate conditions in other parts of the world. These cross-border effects will include phenomena such as migration, as well as impact on trade and supply chains, financial systems and infrastructure. Nordic co-operation must promote the development of policies and measures for climate adaptation in line with other societal goals and with due consideration to the overall resilience of our societies. We must develop and disseminate knowledge about methods and working models that can improve and boost the efficiency of our efforts in relation to various different aspects of climate adaptation, such as cross-border climate risks and robust monitoring systems. Furthermore, Nordic co-operation on the environment and climate must also raise awareness of the challenges and provide support to solutions that incorporate the climate, biodiversity loss and air pollution. It should also encompass the development of knowledge and the analysis of how water supply systems and other essential utility services can be designed so that they are as robust as possible. It is crucial that there is co-operation not just nationally, but at the regional and local level as well, and this must be supported.