Nordic Green News – 3 September, 2020

Sweden claims credit for initiative that reduces emissions within the EU ETS

In a press release, the Swedish Ministry of Environment says that from 2021 several new regulations will come into force when the EU Emissions Trading Scheme enters a new trading period. The Ministry highlights the introduction of a mechanism to remove residual allowances from the system, so that these allowances cannot be used. The mechanism means that emissions will be reduced by an estimated 2.5 billion tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to about 50 times Sweden's total annual emissions. The Minister of the Environment and Climate Isabella Lövin said “I am extremely proud of Sweden's leading role in the latest revision of the EU's emissions trading. In recent years, we have seen the effect the Swedish proposal has had and it shows what a big difference a small ambitious country can make.”

Norway opens outrageously expensive cycle path

On Wednesday, Norway’s Minister of Transport, Knut Arild Hareide, cut the cord for the new cycle path between Stavanger and Sandnes. Hareide was among the first to test the road, and shortly after he declared it "Norway's most beautiful cycle path". However, many believe the price tag of 1.4 billion kroner, equivalent to (USD11,000/metre) to be absurdly high.