Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-038/ Visions are powerful tools in spurring action and creating support for the green transition. In the light of this, climate change policies need to be aligned with visions. The report shows that the Nordic countries share many of the same visions. Importantly, visions of a climate neutral Nordic society are not just about emission reductions and technologies. Instead, visions are about issues such as physical and mental health, spare time, and strong communities. This report is meant as a starting point for further dialogue about positive visions of climate neu-trality. From citizens to politicians, we all need to start thinking about what “a good life” is in a climate neutral world. The report presents a range of different visions derived from interviews with Nordic experts and thought leaders and from discussions at the Nordic Pavilion at COP27.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-037/ This policy brief highlights the main takeaways from the project “Nordic Stocktake and Visions – Pathways to climate neutrality”. The project has resulted in two main reports: Nordic Stocktake – Pathways to Climate Neutrality & Nordic Visions of Climate Neutrality. The Nordic Stocktake concludes that the Nordics need to accelerate the green transition, especially within transport, industry and agriculture. Countries that have the tools, know-how and institutional and financial capacity can demonstrate mitigation options in all sectors. The project's visions of a climate neutral Nordic society is not just only about emission reductions and technology. The net zero transformation creates opportunities, jobs and spurs investments and innovation. Nordic climate neutral societies are in social and environmental balance. A smarter society with inclusive democracy and long-term policies.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-545/ The UNFCCC Global Stocktake will be conducted during COP28 in December 2023. The Nordic Stocktake report is intended as a regional tool to support the Global Stocktake process and spur to further climate action, both within the Nordics and beyond. The Nordic region needs to increase the pace of the green transition if we are to lead by example. The report is a stocktake of GHG emissions in the Nordic countries, and a description and assessment of the different national pathways towards climate neutrality in the Nordic region. Many of the challenges on the path towards climate neutrality are not unique to the Nordic countries and solving these in the Nordic region – in countries well-positioned to do so – would prove valuable for global climate action. The report highlights common challenges across the Nordic countries and proposes opportunities for further cross-Nordic collaboration.

Available online: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:norden:org:diva-6010 “The aim of the Nordic countries is to be carbon neutral and to demonstrate leadership in the fight against global warming.” These were the words of the Nordic prime ministers in their declaration at a summit in Helsinki as part of active Nordic climate co-operation under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Each of the five Nordic countries has national goals for becoming carbon neutral before or by mid-century. In the Helsinki Declaration the Nordics committed themselves to assess the scenarios for how the different Nordic countries can achieve their respective carbon neutrality goals, including implications for various sectors. The aim of this study is to contribute to making this assessment possible and to highlight areas where co-Nordic initiatives can strengthen the Nordic countries’ aims towards carbon neutrality.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-731/ The Nordic energy ministers present a new Nordic energy policy co-operation programme for the period 2022–2024. The Nordic Region wants to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030, and that is also the overall vision for co-operation on energy. A green transition of the Nordic societies will not be possible without a substantial green energy transition. As the Nordic energy systems are closely linked, working together on joint initiatives will lead to a green transition that is more cost-effective and socially sustainable than if the countries were each to achieve the goals individually. In 2020, the Nordic Council of Ministers for Energy Policy (MR-E) adopted seven focus areas as input into the action plan for Our Vision 2030. These will structure Nordic energy co-operation during the period covered by the programme and be at the heart of all of the work: - The green transition of the energy sector - Closer collaboration on research to aid the green transition - Nordic co-operation in the electricity market - Energy efficiency, technology and behavioural change - Working together on EU/EEA-related energy questions - Social acceptance of new energy plants and the green transition - The green transition of the transport sector.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2020-001/ Abstract [en] State of the Nordic Region 2020 gives you a unique look behind the scenes of the world’s most integrated region, comprised of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, along with the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. The report presents a series of facts and figures showing the current state of play within core socioeconomic sectors, including demography, labour market and economy. In addition, you can read about wellbeing and energy pathways towards a carbon neutral Nordic Region. State of the Nordic Region 2020 is published by the Nordic Council of Ministers and produced by Nordregio, an international research center for regional development and planning established by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-015/ Climate adaptation is becoming an increasingly important topic for the world’s cities, which continue to grow and contribute immensely to global emissions. While public space in cities is too often neither sustainable nor effective, Nordic and Baltic cities have pioneered solutions for transforming public space which – apart from helping reduce transport emissions, improve air quality and create more inclusive spaces – also increase their resilience to the changing climate. This catalogue presents 12 inspiring solutions from cities across the region that could eventually prompt larger shifts in how urban public space is planned, designed and utilised. The catalogue also features the “Transform your street!” youth engagement initiative and 11 policy recommendations on how city governments can transform public space to enable climate adaptation, fossil-free mobility and youth engagement.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-544/ Public procurement is increasingly being used to implement political goals, often related to sustainability. A prioritised goal at present is reducing the climate emissions caused by our consumption of goods and services. For contracting authorities (CA), taking climate aspects into account when procuring requires effort and can increase costs. They need data to be able to select which procurements, products and suppliers can give most climate effect. At present relevant, comparable climate data is not readily available. This report analyses the needs for CAs and the current status in the Nordic countries as a basis for planning actions to better the availability of product-related climate data.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-723/ The Nordic indicators for Our Vision 2030 are an important instrument for following up on progress towards achieving Our Vision 2030 of being the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. The purpose of the Nordic indicators for Our Vision 2030 is to follow overall progress towards the vision for the Nordic Region. The indicators show whether the Nordic Region is the most sustainable and integrated region in the world and, within this, whether we are a green Nordic Region, a competitive Nordic Region, and a socially sustainable Nordic Region.

This booklet presents actions taken by the Nordic countries to speed the transition to a sustainable low-carbon society. It shows how sustainable development is possible, with strong climate policies contributing to economic growth and job creation as well as environmental improvements. The Nordic countries successfully demonstrate how ambitious climate change mitigation targets and policies can be combined with high levels of human development.