Our Vision 2030 states that the Nordic Region will become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030, with the initiative divided into three strategic priority areas: A green Nordic Region, a competitive Nordic Region, and a socially sustainable Nordic Region. The action plan for the Vision for the period 2021 to 2024 states that the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 shall lead the way, and that the Nordic Region must work even more ambitiously and faster than the rest of the world. Under the strategic priority of a green Nordic Region, the overall objective is:
Through the Declaration of Helsinki on carbon neutrality, the five Nordic prime ministers made a commitment to work towards carbon neutrality. In this, they encourage Nordic companies, investors, local authorities, towns, organisations and consumers to step up their own efforts towards achieving carbon neutrality.
Based on our Vision, the organisations of the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund – all located in Nordens Hus in Copenhagen – must turn their attention to their own operations. It is for this reason that the three organisations have chosen to join forces on a joint climate and environmental action plan which will ensure that the organisations themselves and Nordens Hus work actively and purposefully towards the goal of carbon neutrality. This will be achieved by:
Together, we will make Nordens Hus a future-oriented workplace that will set a good example and contribute positively to Our Vision 2030, the declaration on carbon neutrality and of course, Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement.
Our Vision 2030 was adopted by the Nordic prime ministers in August 2019 and states that the Nordic Region will become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. In order to realise this vision, there are three strategic areas to be prioritised in the work of the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers over the next four years, namely: a green Nordic Region, a competitive Nordic Region, and a socially sustainable Nordic Region.
As early as January 2019, the Nordic prime ministers also adopted a declaration on carbon neutrality in which they emphasised their aim to lead by example and to work towards achieving carbon neutrality in the five Nordic countries, among other things. The declaration places particular emphasis on working toward the goal of reducing global warming to 1.5 °C, which requires a comprehensive rejigging of our societies and the way that the organisations and communities around them are currently structured. This includes Nordens Hus and the three organisations within it. In addition, the Nordic Council has adopted the recommendation to conduct a study into the organisation’s annual greenhouse gas emissions and to develop an action plan based on how these can be reduced with the goal of operating as a carbon-neutral organisation. The climate and environmental action plan was formulated as a response to this.
To achieve the objectives adopted by the prime ministers through Our Vision 2030 and the declaration on carbon neutrality, we also need Nordic co-operation as a whole, in and of itself, to lead by example. The hope is that this can inspire the other Nordic institutions and offices to work towards carbon neutrality. The Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund have therefore joined forces to carry out this thorough work to ensure a goal-oriented, effective and ambitious plan to reduce our own climate and environmental footprint. In collaboration with the consultancy agency COWI, we came together to prepare our climate accounts in the spring of 2021 based on the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). Furthermore, we sought to set out proposals for our objectives and initiatives, and to compose a few pieces of sound advice on how the organisations can reduce their emissions.
Since 2009/2010, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund have developed environmental action plans and mapped the CO2 emissions from all the activities carried out within Nordens Hus, as well as emissions connected to our meetings and travel activities.
In 2012, the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation adopted a Nordic strategy for sustainable development, in which they recommended, among other things, that the operations of the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers should also be sustainable. One of the overarching objectives of the strategy was that all the work carried out within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers must contain an integrated sustainability perspective. As part of efforts to this effect, various initiatives have been implemented on an ongoing basis in order to make the organisations more sustainable. These include the introduction of light sensors and LED light bulbs, the use of paper and office equipment featuring the Nordic Swan ecolabel, and other requirements, such as that the canteen must take environmental considerations into account in its creation of menus and procurement, as well as ensure a wider range of organic and plant-based food.
In the period 2014 to 2018, the following CO2-emission accounts were recorded:
The project with COWI has shown that our total emissions are much higher than this – almost twice as much (see Figure 2). The new accounts, include more categories and measure the emissions of more travellers/organisations than previously.
This illustrates the need for more detailed and systematic work with climate accounts within the organisation. In order to know where and what we should cut, we must first know where the emissions are coming from, and how high they are.
With the Vision and the declaration on carbon neutrality as a backdrop, the time has come to commence more systematic and targeted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our own environmental impact.
We must measure our own emissions and carbon footprints if we are to reduce them. This is where climate accounts come in. Namely, by measuring our own emissions systematically and over time, we can set good and effective targets, which can then be easily followed up on. Climate accounts can also be a source of inspiration, to see where there is the greatest potential, and to find new solutions that can reduce both emissions and costs.
In our collaboration with COWI, we prepared climate accounts in the spring of 2021, based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). One of the outcomes of this work with COWI was the realisation that it is not as easy to extract data as we had assumed. This highlights the need for the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund to allocate resources and initiate systematic and targeted work with climate accounts and the following objectives, and to initiate ongoing work to improve data collection.
In our climate accounts, emissions have been divided into three categories, known as ‘scopes’. Scope 1 includes direct emissions from operations – e.g. from organisation-owned vehicles or production – and is therefore not relevant to the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from energy supplies. Scope 3 applies to other indirect emissions that we do not control or own ourselves. It is in Scope 3 that the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund see their largest emissions, which for example, come from flights.
With a view towards being able to monitor, measure and assess our ambition to become both carbon neutral and the most sustainable region in the world, it is important that we lay the foundations for a concrete plan regarding how this can be achieved, and just as important, to follow up on this on an ongoing basis. This will take place in three steps:
For Scope 2, this means first looking at whether you can reduce consumption, then improve efficiency (such as through LED light bulbs), and from there, consider buying guarantees of origin for residual emissions.
As far as offsetting is concerned, it is of particular importance that we are aware of the risk of being accused of greenwashing, as there is uncertainty regarding the effect of this measure, regardless of the model used. It is therefore vital that we are careful with using this in our communications, such as by claiming that the organisations are now climate-neutral.
Based on the available data, our climate accounts are currently limited to what is within the organisations’ operational control. According to the GHG Protocol, delineation is a method that includes everything the organisations have operational control over. In the context of Nordens Hus, this means operations and procurement, as well as travel activities.
Includes the operation of Nordens Hus as well as the procurement of goods and services in connection with its operations. This will commence with the location in Copenhagen, but it is expected that it will later be expanded across the Nordic Region to the other locations where the organisation operates.
Includes work-related travel activities such as travelling by plane or train, accommodation for employees of the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council, as well as travel and meeting activities which the Nordic Council funds and has control over, including the Nordic Youth Council, members of the Nordic Council and independent parties providing secretariat services.
See Appendix 1 for an overview of what is included in the current climate accounts, as well as Box 1 for an explanation of what this applies to in terms of travel and meeting activities.
While CO2 emissions from the activities carried out in Nordens Hus, as well as emissions in connection with meetings and travel activities, have been mapped since 2009/2010, efforts to develop a tool have shown that there is significant room for improvement, and a need for the further systematisation of the work. It is of utmost importance that we have good data to use as a basis for our climate accounts so that we have the best possible picture of our emissions. This is therefore a task that must be prioritised going forward. Efforts should also include working towards joining the
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which functions as a standard that ensures that the organisation’s climate accounts and objectives adhere to the Paris Agreement. SBTi sets strict requirements for delineation and data quality, which is why it is important that this is improved before we are able to join. Furthermore, this is something that can support us in the quality assurance of our own objectives, and can help to ensure that our objectives are ambitious enough.
To measure our development, we chose to use 2019 as our baseline year. Based on the data it has been possible to collect so far, the results show that the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund released 801 tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-e) in 2019. As can be seen in the figure below, travel activity constitutes the largest share of this by far.
In order to contribute to the overall objective of reducing our own emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will undertake efforts to achieve the following objectives:
The success criteria for goal attainment include:
To achieve the objectives, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
Travel activities make up most of the climate accounts, totalling 82 percent (615 tonnes CO2-e) of overall emissions. Air travel accounts for as much as 93 percent of the emissions in this category, while trains and hotel stays account for 6 percent and 1 percent of emissions respectively. This is a good example of how climate accounts function as a useful tool for setting clear objectives for our work now and in the future. The absolute most effective thing that those of us who work in Nordens Hus can do to reduce our total climate footprint is to reduce the number of flights we take.
In order to contribute to the overall goal of reducing our own emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, we must prioritise changes in our travel habits. As a result, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
The success criteria for goal attainment include:
To achieve the objectives, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
Operations and procurement account for a total of 143 tonnes of CO2-equivalents, in other words, 18 percent of total emissions. Here, procurement accounts for most of the emissions at 45 percent, with electricity and heating accounting for roughly the same amount as the other factors, with 18 and 19 percent respectively.
To contribute to the overall goal of reducing our own emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, we must prioritise changes to our operations and procurement. As a result, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
The success criteria for goal attainment include:
To achieve the objectives, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
The Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will offset emissions that cannot be cut completely or immediately. Offsetting emissions is not a perfect solution, but it can be a good tool to use during a transitional period, where efforts are made to cut emissions as much as possible. It is important that the offsetting methods used are carefully considered and that the chosen method is transparent and deemed the most effective.
Offsetting will not be used to present Nordens Hus as climate-neutral, as there is uncertainty around the effectiveness of this. If someone is hired by the organisation to specifically work with following-up on the climate and environmental action plan, then this person will identify the method to be used. This can either be based on dialogue with climate and environment advisors, as well as energy advisors, or if it is deemed necessary, following on from a political discussion and processing.
The Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
The success criteria for goal attainment include:
To achieve the objectives, the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund will:
An implementation plan will be developed for the objectives and initiatives covered in this action plan. This will be assessed on an ongoing basis with a view to following up on and evaluating progress towards achieving the objectives.
At the end of each year, the objectives, success criteria and initiatives should be evaluated and, if necessary, revised. This will be carried out on the basis of an improved database and not least a more systematic approach to the work conducted within Nordens Hus.
The work outlined in this action plan requires that resources be set aside in order for efforts to progress.
The first period of the action plan covers 2022 to 2024 and will therefore be updated during 2024 at the latest. The objectives in the action plan extend up to and including 2050, and the work requires ongoing development throughout the period.
Overview of the activities included in current the climate accounts (overview of the Climate and environmental initiatives for Nordens Hus report, COWI 2021):
Scope | GHG-Protocol description of the scope categories | Activity for the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Nordic Culture Fund |
Scope 1 | Activities related to the organisation’s vehicles and facilities | No relevant activities |
Scope 2 | Procured electricity, steam, heating and cooling for own use | Nordens Hus in Copenhagen: • Procured electricity • Procured district heating • Procured water |
Scope 3 | Category 1: Procurement of goods and services | Nordens Hus in Copenhagen: • Procurement of printer paper • Procurement of IT equipment • Procurement of furniture • Procurement of printed materials • Procurement of food in the canteen |
Category 2: Capital goods | Not applicable (Nordens Hus does not own production machinery etc.) | |
Category 3: Upstream emissions from energy-related activities that are not included in scope 1 and 2 | • Upstream emissions from travel and meeting activities • Transmission and distribution losses for electricity, heating and water • Upstream emissions for electricity, heating and water | |
Category 4: Upstream freight transport/distribution | Not included at present due to lack of data | |
Category 5: Waste generated through production | Nordens Hus in Copenhagen: Waste separated into waste fractions | |
Category 6: Business travel | • Business travel via plane • Business travel via rented car • Business travel via taxi • Business travel via ferry • Business travel via train • Hotel stays | |
Category 7: Employee commuting | Nordens Hus in Copenhagen: Transport of employees to and from work | |
Category 8: Upstream rented assets | Not applicable | |
Category 9: Downstream freight transport/distribution | Nordens Hus in Copenhagen: Not included at present due to lack of data (freight will be included at a later date in connection with conferences etc. and included in the accounts) | |
Category 10: Processing of sold products | Not applicable (no manufacturing activities) | |
Category 11: Use of sold products | Not applicable (no manufacturing activities) | |
Category 12: End-of-life processing of sold products | Not applicable (no manufacturing activities) | |
Category 13: Downstream leased assets | Not applicable (no leased assets) | |
Category 14: Franchises | Not applicable (no franchises) | |
Category 15: Investments | To be assessed in the long term |
Overview of travel and meeting activities which are respectively included and excluded in the current CO2 accounts (from the Climate and environmental initiatives for Nordens Hus report, COWI 2021):
The Nordic Council’s meeting activities, where the expenditure is covered by its own budgets and is deemed to be under its own operational control, and is therefore included in the CO₂ accounts:
The Nordic Council pays the party groups an annual sum which is deemed to be under the Nordic Council’s operational control, and is therefore included in the CO₂ accounts. This covers, among other things:
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© Nordic Council of Ministers 2023
Published 17/5/2023
Photo: norden.org, Lukas Salomon/norden.org, Nordic Innovation, Ricky Molloy
Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.
Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and international collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in a strong Europe.
Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. Shared Nordic values help the region solidify its position as one of the world’s most innovative and competitive.
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