3 September, 2021

EU grants further extension of Sweden’s biofuels mandate

An important ruling was released to almost no fanfare. The European Commission has extended Sweden's waiver for liquid biofuels by one year. The decision means an exception from the EU state aid rules during the calendar year 2022. [Editor: Some may interpret this message with surprise, as a number of commentators had thought that the waiver would not receive yet another extension. However, the decision likely reflects the tense politics between Sweden and Finland’s interests in developing their bioeconomies, and the general political sentiment against this in Europe.] (press release)

Denmark’s politicians agree economic structure for energy island

An energy island in the North Sea will supply Denmark and Europe with green electricity at an expected cost of DKK 210 billion. A broad political majority has agreed on several of the overall frameworks for supply and ownership of the Energy Island. The parties have agreed that a single tender must be made for both construction work and partnership.  The Danish state will own at least 50.1% of the island, and the ownership must be built up as a joint stock company. The government, the Liberal Party, the Danish People's Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Radical Left, the Unity List, the Conservatives, the Liberal Alliance and the Alternative are behind the agreement. (Dansk Fjernvarme)

Norway’s Labour Party wants more climate actions

In an opinion piece, Norway’s Labor leader, Jonas Gahr Støre, the frontrunner in Norway’s election campaign, sets out his party’s policies ahead of the 13 September poll. His byline reads “Climate and nature are a crucial part of our entire political project.” Beginning by listing recent weather events, Store says that if elected, his party will cut GHG emissions by 55% over 9 years. That is why climate policy is not just one place in our program. Climate and nature are a crucial part of our entire political project. This also applies to policies that reach far beyond our national borders. For Store this means having a more proactive relationship with the EU in achieving climate goals, rather than what he now describes as a negotiation that is “defensive of Norwegian interests.” Store also wishes to use Norway’s huge pension fund to take a more active role in demanding nature and climate strategies from the world's companies. Finally, Store wants to see climate integrated with Norway’s international development policy, so that solar is prioritized over coal in developing countries. (Dagens Naeringsliv)

Sweden’s AP3 buys $500 million worth of forest in Texas

Sweden’s Third AP Fund (AP3) has purchased forest assets in East Texas worth $500 million. Approximately 300,000 acres have been acquired from TexMark Timber Treasury. “This investment is part of AP3's strategy to build a sustainable and robust portfolio - a portfolio that can yield well even during a negative climate development. We see great potential in our strategic collaboration with Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG) - through it we will contribute more to the long-term supply of sustainable forest raw materials.", said AP3's Head of ILS & Forest Investments, Dan Bergman. (press release)

Nominees announced for Nordic Council Environment Prize 2021

8 nominees were announced, one from each province of the Nordic Council. (press release)

Nearly one in five cars sold in Denmark in August were electric

Electric vehicle sales accounted for 19% of all new vehicles sold in Denmark in August - a new record. And the number of plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 40% of vehicle sales, double that of the same month last year. (Worldakkam)

Hynion and Hyrex collaborate on hydrogen stations for recreational boats

Hynion AS and Hyrex AS will collaborate to build hydrogen filling stations for leisure boats. Hyrex has developed HyCruiser 28, a day cruiser with a hydrogen-electric drive system. Ulf Hafseld, CEO of Hynion AS commented: “Since Hynion is now building a network of hydrogen filling stations in Norway and Sweden, we also see exciting opportunities in ports. Although other modes of transport account for more emissions than recreational boats, this is also a significant segment, and the Norwegian authorities have clearly stated that emissions from recreational boats should be halved. It is very difficult to see how this can happen without the use of hydrogen, and the exciting HyCruiser project illustrates what is already possible”. (Tanalys)

What we’re reading

• EU NGOs to boycott media events sponsored by fossil fuel firms (Politico)
• U.S. climate envoy Kerry urges China to keep politics out of global warming (Reuters)
• Freyr puts Norway on the battery map (FDI Intelligence)
• Copenhagen Infrastructure Partner (FDI Intelligence)
• Record breaking fires in Siberia (Greenpeace)

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