The Nordic countries are, in a global context, relatively small thus their ability to affect the global environment is largely related to the power of example – being able to show case innovative policies and technologies that can be implemented outside the Nordic countries. The value of leadership - what may motivate nations to be frontrunners is discussed as in this chapter, as well as insights from some of the Nordic experts interviewed.
Some argue that Nordic climate targets can inspire other countries to take on more ambitious climate targets. Only “copying” policies rarely works because the legal systems and political cultures in different countries are diverse. Moreover, there is evidence that at least Sweden has rather been inspired by other countries, than been the frontrunner (Romson and Forsbacka, 2020). For instance, Sweden’s climate framework is based on the UK climate law.
It’s more likely that in order to be credible in international negotiations and push other countries to take on more ambitious targets, a country needs to show that one has “swept in front of one's own doorstep”. EU climate policy has developed bottom-up where the Members State’s initiatives have been generalised and adapted at EU level. For instance, Germany’s support for renewable power and recycling has inspired EU policy. Ambitious national climate targets contributed to the EU 2020- and 2030 targets (Engström, 2023). Another example is the reforming of the EU Emissions trading system in 2017 when the “Swedish proposal” led to a significantly increased carbon price (Zetterberg et al, 2021, pp. 36–37). Therefore, if the Nordic countries act as frontrunners, this can be instrumental in developing ambitious EU climate policies.
Some insights were also captured during the interviews with Denmark and Sweden, in regards how the Nordic countries can affect the global environment by promoting clean technologies and shifting to a fossil free production.
One of the national experts in Denmark argued for the importance of establishing joint forces in terms of developing and improving new clean technology supply chains across the Nordic region. The Nordic countries have a great opportunity in scaling up clean technology supply chains, thus contributing to lowering risks of supply disruptions which may occur due to conflicts or political instability which arises around the world. The expert argued that the Nordic countries are likely to have a larger impact on the global clean technology supply chains, if cooperation within the Nordic region is further enhanced. Moreover, if direct links across the Nordic countries were to be improved within the current supply chains, it may lead to that the Nordic region would become the preferred supplier of goods and services, thus affect the global environment by promoting clean technologies (Sitra, 2023).
Similar arguments were highlighted by one of the Swedish experts interviewed. During these times of multiple challenges each country faces, the expert argued that the outcome would be better and more efficient if all the Nordic countries could focus their efforts on improve cooperation and finding solutions jointly instead of nationally. Examples that were highlighted were related to developing and improving supply chains within areas such as bioeconomy, fossil free electricity, battery manufacturing plants as well as cooperation on transforming the agricultural sector.
Both the Danish and Swedish expert argued that enhanced Nordic collaboration must occur on a high-level such as ministry and/or department level. Collaborating on a lower governmental and municipally levels is not enough to make a significant impact, thus affect the global environment. If the Nordic countries could establish joint forces, it could contribute to strengthening the Nordic region on a global scale in the new fossil-free economy that is emerging. This can be related to a recent report by the International Energy Agency (2023) which state that collaborative efforts such as strong strategic partnerships that has focus on innovation and investments will be central aspects when designing future policies for boosting clean technology supply chains. To foster regional advantages, it’s of essence that industrial strategies are designed in way that they address clean technology supply chain risks and display strong joint force to the global community.