Mundus Nordic Green News – 30 March, 2021

Danish and Norwegian PMs invited to Biden climate summit

Last week, President Biden invited 40 global leaders to a “Leaders Summit on Climate” that he will host online on April 22 and 23. The Danish and Norwegian Prime Minsters were both invited. In a press release, the White House wrote, “The Summit will reconvene the U.S.-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80% of global emissions and global GDP.  The President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy.  A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the Summit.”

In Sweden, this has been perceived by some as a snub. Dagens Industri’s (a leading business paper) opinion piece, writes that the U.S decision not to invite PM Stefan Löfven to the global climate summit is an international rejection of Swedish climate policy. To get invited a country must have shown “strong climate leadership”, thus the Swedish Government should view the decision to not being invited as a wake up call. If the Government is serious about the goal of becoming the world's first fossil-free welfare state, bold and quick decisions are required. 

[Ed: We think that this goes too far. The list of countries invoted includes a number whose climate records are far worse than Sweden] (White House, Dagens Industri)

Ørsted commits to its largest onshore investment to date

Ørsted has made a final investment decision on its largest onshore project to date, Helena Energy Center in Bee County in southern Texas. The hybrid project of 518 MW consists of about 50% wind and 50% solar energy. (Finans)

Barclays: Nel can become hydrogen winner

British Barclays published an analysis of the hydrogen market on Monday, in which several hydrogen players are predicted a bright future. "Hydrogen is a mega-climate trend at the forefront of the decarbonisation strategy for many industries as well as governments," begins Barclays' analysis of the hydrogen market. The brokerage highlights ITM Power and Nel as their preference in the hydrogen sector, but emphasizes that "there can be many winners, in a period of rapid market expansion". According to the analysis, Barclays' thesis is based on where they think each company can be in 10 years, rather than where they are today. (Investor.dn)

What we’re reading

• Biden Administration Sets National 30-GW Offshore Wind Target (Powermag)
• “EU plotting ban on internal combustion engine as of 2025” (Euractiv)

 

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