9 June 2023
Today's Top Nordic Green News:
- Swedish government announces National Climate Summit 2023
- LO and NHO pressure Norwegian Government to join EU carbon tariff scheme
- SKF commits SEK 3 billion to phase out fossil gas
Swedish government announces National Climate Summit 2023
The National Climate Summit 2023, organised by the Swedish Government, is a crucial event aimed at creating a climate action plan to meet national climate goals. The summit will feature the participation of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Energy and Industry Minister Ebba Busch and Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari. Representatives from various sectors will engage in discussions on achieving Sweden's net zero emissions target by 2045. Four panel discussions, covering topics like "Fit for 55" and "Doubled energy production," will be moderated by experts in the field. The summit will be broadcast live on the Government's website, and a dedicated page has been launched to provide information on the event, including panel details, the program and ongoing climate initiatives.
LO and NHO pressure Norwegian Government to join EU carbon tariff scheme
The LO and NHO, two major Norwegian organisations representing industry and labour, have urged the government to embrace the EU's carbon tariff (CBAM). In a joint letter, they highlight the importance of Norway's participation in CBAM to protect domestic industries and maintain competitiveness. While there is disagreement within the government regarding Norway's involvement, the organisations emphasise the need for a strategic evaluation of the risks of staying outside CBAM. The letter comes amid ongoing discussions on key climate and energy policies in the "Fit for 55 package."
SKF commits SEK 3 billion to phase out fossil gas
Global supplier SKF has announced a significant investment of SEK 3 billion to reach its energy and greenhouse gas emission targets by 2030. As part of its strategy, SKF will allocate the funds towards minimising greenhouse gas emissions and phasing out the use of fossil gas within its own operations worldwide. The investment framework will prioritise activities such as energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy or approved non-fossil fuels for process and building heating. This commitment aligns with SKF's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions and demonstrates its dedication to the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. By taking swift action, SKF aims to make substantial progress in tackling the climate crisis and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Opening doors to new nuclear power in Sweden
The Swedish Government has put forth proposals to expand the criteria for constructing and operating new nuclear power reactors, marking a significant step towards embracing nuclear energy. The current provision, which allows authorization for a new reactor only if it replaces a closed one and is built on an existing site, would be removed under the proposed changes to the Environmental Code. The new regulations would enable the construction of more than ten reactors simultaneously and in different locations. The proposals do not affect other prerequisites for nuclear facilities or the testing of reactor viability. The suggested legislation is slated to take effect from January 1, 2024.
Nordic report highlights export and job creation potential in the hydrogen value chain
A new report released by Business Sweden, Business Finland, Innovation Norway and the Swedish Energy Agency reveals significant opportunities for increased exports and job creation in the hydrogen value chain across the Nordic countries. Based on interviews with leading industrial companies, the report emphasises that positioning the Nordics as a preferred destination for foreign investors exploring hydrogen ventures could yield job creation ranging from ten to one hundred times, depending on the segment of the hydrogen value chain. By investing in sustainable products and production technologies related to green hydrogen, the Nordic region aims to solidify its position as a leading player in the hydrogen industry, offering growth prospects and employment opportunities in sectors such as fuel, plastics, steel, glass, wind turbines, and more. Sweden, in particular, with its abundant green energy and biogenic carbon resources, has the potential to attract major international players in industries like chemical and plastic manufacturing. To maximise the benefits, strategic coordination between industry and public actors is essential in prioritising job-creating investments and research and development efforts. The report underscores that Sweden is already being considered by global investors for hydrogen investments of around 8 GW or more.
Green light for Triton wind farm in Skåne, Sweden
The County Administrative Board in Skåne has granted permission for the construction of the Triton wind farm, located 23 kilometres off the coast. With a capacity of up to 1.6 GW, the wind farm has the potential to generate 7 TWh of electricity annually, meeting half of Skåne's electricity consumption. The project, initiated by OX2, aims to begin construction in 2027 pending final approval from the government. By securing cable connections and suppliers, OX2 is working towards a speedy production timeline, with expectations to be fully operational before 2030. This development aligns with the Nordic region's commitment to renewable energy and marks a significant step towards achieving sustainability goals.
SENS initiates new battery project in Filipstad, Sweden
Sustainable Energy Solutions Sweden Holding (SENS) has announced the commencement of a new battery project in the municipality of Filipstad. The project involves the establishment of a 30 MW battery storage facility near the Värmlandsberg mine, where SENS has previously initiated several projects. The company will focus on obtaining the necessary permits before commencing construction. This new venture is part of SENS' ongoing energy project in Filipstad, which aims to develop a comprehensive energy storage facility within the Värmlandsberg mine. SENS is actively collaborating with the municipality and has identified multiple promising projects in the region. The battery storage facility will contribute to sustainable energy solutions, providing nearby energy sources with a reliable storage solution. Financing for the project will be sourced externally, similar to SENS' collaboration with Axpo, and the estimated investment for the project rights is up to SEK 300 million. Construction is expected to begin within the next 12-16 months, contingent on the acquisition of necessary permits and deliveries.
Hydro acquires land in Spain for state-of-the-art aluminium recycling plant
Hydro, an aluminium company, has announced the acquisition of industrial land in Torija, Spain, for the construction of a state-of-the-art aluminium recycling facility. The plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 120,000 tonnes and employ around 65 people. This investment aims to enhance Hydro's production of low-carbon aluminium and ensure greater retention of scrap within Europe. By recycling used aluminium, Hydro can contribute to the circular economy and meet the growing demand for greener and more sustainable aluminium products. The company plans to make a final investment decision by the end of 2023. The recycling plant will produce Hydro CIRCAL, a low-carbon aluminium with a CO2 footprint of less than 4 kg per kg of aluminium. The project complements Hydro's existing facility in Azuqueca, expanding the range of products offered to the Iberian market.
Commission recommends actions for EU countries falling short of recycling targets
The European Commission has published a report recommending actions for EU countries that are at risk of missing their recycling targets. The report identifies nine countries on track to meet the targets for 2025, while 18 countries, including Finland, face challenges in achieving the goals. Finland is at risk of falling short of its municipal waste and plastic packaging recycling targets. Other countries are also in danger of missing the targets for both municipal and packaging waste. The report emphasises the need for reforms in waste management, including processing bio-waste, implementing separate waste collection, and improving data quality. The Commission provides specific recommendations for Finland, such as supporting waste reuse systems and increasing collection frequency. Good practices in Finland, such as the deposit return system for soft drink packages and pallet reuse, are highlighted.
What we’re reading
- Rich world’s leaders fail to commit to Paris global financing summit (Climate Home News)
About Nordic Green News
The Nordic countries are some of the most dynamic and successful economies in the world. They are also leaders in sustainability, from renewable energy, biofuels, carbon capture and storage and the hydrogen economy, circular economy business models and battery development, the Nordics are pioneers in policy design, technology development and consumer uptake. Mundus Nordic Green News is covering this transition for the international community. Every day we curate the stories of most relevance to international businesspeople and policy experts from the flow of news. Mundus Nordic Green Indices summarise the meta-data from our daily coverage to enable easy tracking of trends. We supplement these with our own opinion pieces and commentary.
Powered by Notified