The purpose of this report was to provide an outline and comparison of the various approaches employed by governments in the Nordic region to engage the private sector in achieving national climate targets. The analysis focused on five selected government-led initiatives, aiming to understand their objectives, sectoral coverage, and governance, along with their actual and expected outcomes.
The findings underscore the critical role of effective public-private collaboration in driving the transition towards carbon neutrality in the Nordic countries. Review of the initiatives, complemented by information gathered through interviews and a survey, demonstrated a broad commitment to this transition among both the governments and private industries. This work furthermore revealed various creative strategies that can be applied to foster meaningful dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors.
The best practices and challenges presented in the report offer valuable insights into the governance and impact of these initiatives. Key stakeholders and participants offered perspectives that can increase our understanding of what works and what can be improved. This knowledge is essential for refining ongoing efforts within each country and for informing the design of future policies that can better harness the potential of the private sector in climate action. It is also hoped that this report will stimulate increased cooperation and sharing of knowledge between the Nordic countries.
Moreover, the best practices identified in this report have the potential to influence similar efforts in other regions. As the urgency of the climate crisis continues to escalate, the lessons learned from the Nordic experience can serve as an inspiration — or even model — for effective collaboration and innovative policymaking worldwide.