Mundus Nordic Green News – 16 November, 2020

Sweden’s steel industry has voracious electricity needs

In advancing Sweden’s electrification strategy, the Minister of Energy and Digitization Anders Ygeman met with industrial actors. Bo-Erik Pers, CEO of Jernkontoret, the Swedish Steel Makers Association. represented the needs of basic industry. His message was that while Jernkontoret and the Swedish steel industry are very positive about the Minister of Energy's initiative, much hangs on the results of a national electrification strategy. Pers said, “Under the right conditions, the steel industry's restructuring and technology shifts can lead to even stronger positions globally, which in turn leads to jobs, income to Sweden and increased welfare. But a basic condition is that there is access to fossil-free electricity. The need increases in a way we have never seen before and it happens in a system that we experience as strained...“

 

“When the steel industry electrifies the processes, switches to hydrogen and also increases production, the need for fossil-free electricity will increase by up to 25 terawatt hours compared to today. But it is not only the amount of electricity in terawatt hours that determines, but also the power demand and the grid capacity. It is not enough to plan for the massive expansion of electricity production that is necessary. It is equally important to have a goal picture of accessibility in different parts of the country. Our hope for the continued work with the strategy and its results is that it can present an awareness, a holistic view and a plan that credibly sets up a direction that all actors can act from, said Pers said.

 

Nordic cities favoured amongst list of global city climate leaders

Five Swedish cities, including Stockholm, Malmö, and Lund were on “CDP's 2020 Cities A List”. The Swedish cities are joined by 6 from Denmark, 4 in Finland and one in Norway, meaning that 16 cities from the Nordics are amongst of the top 88 global cities that the EU-funded, non-profit organization CDP ranks as leaders. In total, 33 European cities were given the highest rating for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resistance to the effects of climate change. 

 

In order to make the A-list cities must demonstrate significant ambitions, including carbon reduction targets and a target for climate neutrality. The number of cities setting such goals has increased dramatically since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015.

 

Mirjam Wolfrum, Director Policy Engagement, at CDP Europe said “Cities are the leading force for both a climate-neutral EU by 2050, and for achieving new, ambitious targets for emission reductions within the EU. That is why we are raising the hat for the 33 European cities on the CDP's A-list, for their transparency and for their measures to quickly build resilience and reduce emissions, according to the Paris Agreement.

 

Changes in Equinor's group structure and group management include new Renewables Segment

Equinor’s new CEO Anders Opedal announced his plans to develop his firm into a broad energy company. We are now making changes to strengthen the implementation of our strategy for safe operation, high value creation and low carbon emissions. The changes will contribute to increased value creation from our world-class oil and gas projects, profitable growth in renewable energy and development of low-carbon solutions. Renewable (REN) continues as a separate business area to deliver profitable growth in renewable energy, but changes its name from New Energy Solutions (NES). Renewable energy will be established as a separate reporting segment from the first quarter of 2021.

 

Lidl replaces all primary packaging for meat and poultry with recycled plastic

Lidl has completed a crucial milestone in its circular economy strategy. In the last one and a half years, the chain has managed to restructure approx. 85% of all products packed in trays for recycled versions of this kind. This corresponds to approx. 7.6 million trays a year, the vast majority of which are meat and poultry products. From November 2020, 100% of the trays from Lidl's primary meat brand, Vilstrupgård, are now made from recycled plastic. Vilstrupgård accounts for more than 80% of all Lidl's meat and poultry. The R-PET trays, which have replaced the classic plastic trays, consist of, among other things, old plastic bottles.

 

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