Mundus Nordic Green News – 1 April, 2021

Denmark’s Glasgow COP preparations outlined by Climate Minister

Denmark’s Climate Minister, Dan Jorgensen, participated in a digital panel hosted by the Financial Times, and outlined what Denmark’s government was doing in preparation. Amongst the Danish initiatives were a science-based target of a 70% reduction in GHG, the end of offshore oil production by 2050 and ramping up offshore wind power. In his view, one needs to see the climate as an opportunity for business and trade, and that at this stage, governments needed to throw away caution, and step up ambition beyond what felt comfortable. Other Ministers on the panel were Teresa Ribera from Spain and Grace Fu from Singapore. (Youtube)

Sweden’s government comes under increasing criticism for lack of climate action

As Mundus Nordic Green News reported on March 25, Sweden’s government has come in for repeated criticism from its own Climate Council for inadequate climate action. This and other NGO criticism, plus the lack of an invitation to Biden’s Climate Summit is being interpreted in an increasingly negative light within Sweden. Sweden’s fiscal policy framework, which prevents large deficits is also now seen by some economists as too restrictive, who argue the state should borrow more to invest. (Dagens Nyheter)

Milestone achieved in Swedish electrification study

One of the initiatives now being undertaken by Sweden’s government is a study to consider the vast and disparate needs of its electricity grid in the future. This commission has now finished the initial fact-finding stage of the study, and reported to a group of 165 stakeholder representatives on 30 March. The Minister of Energy and Digitalisation Anders Ygeman said that the grid might need to plan for a doubling of its capacity by 2045.

Truls Borgström, Coordinator for the Electrification Strategy, summarized the situation and presented his 12 point framework. The strategy must cope with a number of pressing challenges, not just the possible doubling in power production, but also the need for more flexibility and shorter lead times. (Government)

What we’re reading

• Europe’s chance to lead the green technology race (FT, paywall)
• EU rebuffs US concerns over carbon border tax threat (FT, paywall)

Next week, Mundus Nordic Green News will be on Easter Break.

 

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