Thus far, Nordic governments have been quick to translate international conventions into national strategies and they are committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in order to create low-carbon societies before 20201. A number of measures have been addressed by the insurance companies with a view to reducing emissions and bringing social and environmental responsibility into business strategies in order to better tackle the risks and consequences related to climate change.
Research and development activities are emphasized in the Nordic Prime Ministers' Declaration2 as the key strategies in coping with climate change. A joint research programme entitled "Top Level Research Initiative" established by the Nordic Council brought several organisations and institutions together in 2008 – primarily focusing on developing environmentally friendly technologies during 2009-2013.
Furthermore, close co-operation with business and industry will be of key importance for the utilization of the research results which could contribute by promoting international solutions through cross-border cooperation. Investments will be made in terms of research on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources as well as carbon capture and storage technology.
On 7 September 2009, the energy ministers of Sweden and Norway announced their agreement on the establishment of a common market for green electricity certificates by 2012. This is expected to improve the security of energy supply for both countries. The development of national adaptation strategies3 covers agriculture, forestry, water and energy management, health, biodiversity, finance and insurance.
The Nordic countries began incorporating concerns for climate change into their energy policies such as initiatives on CO2 taxes as far back as the early 1990s. In addition, carbon pricing has always been considered a challenging yet crucial part of Nordic climate policy.
The various national strategies highlights the existence of often quite different institutional approaches to climate change. For instance, while Finland considers sector adaptation strategies, Denmark and Sweden emphasize the role of local or regional actors in the carrying out of adaptation efforts.
Denmark - better information coordination
The Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen) ublished the Danish strategy in March 2008. The main objectives are the establishment of a platform for the authorities at various levels, industrial sectors and individuals to implement information initiatives and consider adaptation in their planning schemes.
The key steps are:
Assigning inter-ministerial working groups to coordinate and assess the realisation of the strategy by helping to exchange information on adaptation.
Establishment of an information tool4 located under the Ministry of Climate and Energy to inform a wider audience and develop planning tools for governmental authorities to encourage collaboration among national and international research centres.
Denmark places emphasis on autonomous adaptation whereby authorities, stakeholders and communities are seen as the main actors. An Information Centre for Climate Adaptation has been established in the Ministry of Climate and Energy and a Coordination Unit for research in climate adaptation is located at the National Environmental Research Institute of the University of Århus.
The creation of a shared risk system to cover the effects of damage generated by extreme weather impacts such as storm surges and high winds is now also under debate in Denmark. On September 26 2009, The Danish Board of Technology and the Danish Cultural Institute organized the first-ever global citizen deliberation "World Wide Views (WWViews)-Global Citizen Consultation on Climate Policy". See separate article on pp 4-5.
Finland - comprehensive adaptation
The Finnish adaptation strategy was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and published in March 2005. Being the first country in the EU to adopt such a strategy Finland has inspired the Nordic as well as countries in Europe to move forward on this issue.
Finland emphasizes the synergy between mitigation and adaptation (see p 2). In November 2008, the government began revising the strategy to include "planning" including identifying the risks in flood-sensitive areas.
A recent report 'Evaluation of the implementation of Finland´s national adaptation strategy to climate change 2009´ by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (4a/2009) outlines the experience gained thus far.
Iceland - climate friendly technology
Iceland´s climate change strategy was published by the Ministry for the Environment in 2007. The strategy put forward the government's long-term vision; primary focus on mitigation plans and 50-75% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 figures.
The country is a recognized leader in clean technologies, especially in geothermal power and hydrogen fuel use. There are almost zero emissions from stationary energy production since it is based on hydro-power or geothermic sources.
The government aims to further the development and the use of these renewable resources as well as improving energy efficiency and other climate friendly technologies. The next step involves tackling the emissions produced by the transport industry. The government has set financial incentives for low emission cars.
Currently, the main objectives for Iceland are as follows:
To focus on international commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as well as the Kyoto Protocol by improving its infrastructure.
Further reduction of fossil fuels usage and more emphasis on renewable energy sources & environment-friendly fuels.
Increasing carbon sequestration through renewed vegetation including forestation, wetland recovery and land use change.
Promoting the transfer of Icelandic expertise in renewables and environment-friendly technology.
Norway- carbon capture and storage
Norway has taken a comprehensive approach to securing energy efficiency, focused on renewable energy sources while also joining the EU's trading scheme in 2008. Energy relevant research and development activities have been prioritized within Norwegian climate policy.
On 15 May 2008, the government presented its report "Climate change adaptation in Norway" emphasising that adaptation measures do not necessarily demand changes in administrative setups.
Drafting of Norway´s adaptation strategy (Official Norwegian Report (NOU) on climate change adaptation) is still in progress under the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) and is due for publication in the autumn of 2010. The strategy aims to assist in the information exchange between different sectors and administrative levels acting as a guide to local and regional planners.
Norway's climate policy is, by 2020, to reduce 1990 emission levels by 30% and ultimately to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The Government is also investigating the possibility of using hydrogen technologies by setting up all new gas plants using climate friendly technologies In particular Norway is trying to develop carbon capture and storage. In addition, building a global system for the trading of emission quotas has for many years been high on the official Norwegian agenda.
Sweden - a decentralized approach
The Swedish agenda in respect of climate change was developed between 1996 and 2003 through the Swedish Regional Climate Modelling Programme (SWECLIM) to provide a platform for planners and decision-makers within industry, public administration and other political bodies.
In addition, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), under the Ministry of Environment, has provided scientific information5 while the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been responsible for the dissemination of information and raising awareness on climate change and adaptation6.
In June 2005, an advisory committee, "Klimat och sårbarhetsutredningen - The Swedish Commission on Climate and Vulnerability" was established within the Ministry of Environment to develop assessments on the regional and local impacts of climate change on society.
Its first report "Sweden facing climate change – threats and opportunities (SOU 2007:60)" was published in October 2007, emphasising that strategic planning and policy development are crucial for reducing vulnerability. According to the report; Sweden might face challenges in Baltic Sea ecosystems, the increasing risk of floods, landslides and erosion. However, opportunities may arise in respect of both forest growth and improved agricultural production.
Sweden´s approach is not to develop a national adaptation strategy. Rather regional administrative boards have been assigned to steer the work.
In 2009, the Swedish Government submitted two bills; the Climate Policy Bill targeting reductions in GHG emissions and the Energy Policy Bill; presenting proposals for the energy sector. These two bills were designed to constitute "An Integrated climate and energy policy", setting an ambitious target of a 40% reduction in emissions by 2020.
The set of mitigation-oriented measures proposed for 2020 includes:
50% renewable energy
20% more efficient energy usage
10% renewable energy in the transport sector.
The fund allocated for the Swedish climate research strategy has been increased and the Swedish Energy Agency7 has been assigned to support the research activities.
1 EU Member States have agreed upon a short-term target to reduce emissions in the range of 20% in the trading scheme by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.
2 The Nordic Prime Ministers' Declaration on Climate change was agreed on 16 June 2009, in Egilsstaðir, Iceland.
3 In all of the Nordic countries, except Sweden, government authorities have a central position in steering climate adaptation. In Sweden, the responsibility is shared between the local and regional authorities.
4 www.klimatilpasning.dk/da-dk/sider/forside.aspx
5 www.smhi.se
6 www.naturvardsverket.se
7 www.energimyndigheten.se/en/Research/
References:
European Commission (EC) (2008) Environment [Online] http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/eclimate changep_impacts.htm
European Environment Agency (2008) National adaptation strategies http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/national-adaptation-strategies
Evaluation of the implementation of Finland´s National Strategy for Adaptation to CLIMATE CHANGE (2009) http://www.mmm.fi/attachments/mmm/julkaisut/julkaisusarja/2009/5IEsngZYQ/Adaptation_Strategy_evaluation.pdf
Green Paper from the Commission to the Council, The European Parliament, The European Economic and Social Committee and The Committee of the Regions: Adapting to CLIMATE CHANGE in Europe – options for EU action {SEC(2007) 849} http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0354:FIN:EN:PDF
Government Offices of Sweden (2009) Energy and Climate [Online] http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/5745/a/116401
Information from the Government and the Ministries in Norway http://www.regjeringen.no
National Energy Authority of Iceland http://www.os.is/page/english/
Nordic Insurance Survey (2009), Best Practice on Climate Assessing Risks and Implementing, Nordic Nature Indicators of CLIMATE CHANGE (NICLIMATE CHANGE- http://www.niclimate change.dk)
Nordic Prime Ministers' Declaration on CLIMATE CHANGE (2009) http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/12/84/35/2b4ed090.pdf
Report 2006-2007:34 (2007) Norwegian climate policy- Norwegian Ministry of the Environment http://www.regjeringen.no/pages/2065909/PDFS/STM200620070034000EN_PDFS.pdf
SOU 2007:60 (2007) Sweden facing climate change-threats and opportunities, Final report from the Swedish Commission on Climate and Vulnerability. http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/09/60/02/56302ee7.pdf
Swart, R. et al. 2009, Europe Adapts to Climate change Comparing National Adaptation Strategies, Partnership for European Environmental Research (PEER) Report No 1 www.peer.eu
Swedish Government Bill, Climate and energy policy for a sustainable future, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, 2009-03-11 http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/2023/a/123252
The Top Level research Initiative (2008) - a major Nordic venture for climate, energy and the environment. http://www.toppforskningsinitiativet.org/en?set_language=en&-C