Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-504/ The Nordic region aims to be a forerunner in the transition to circular economy. This project aimed to find areas, industries, and sectors, and potential in them, important for the circular transition in the Nordics. The barriers for unleashing the potential were also studied.Four areas of industry and two cross-cutting drivers were selected for the study. The bioeconomy, the food and beverage sector, building and construction, and the mobility sector play a prominent role in the Nordic economies. They are also responsible for significant emissions and waste. The drivers – applying new circular business models and better exploiting data/digitalisation – can bring change that holds promise for significant benefits.The study’s results are summed up in a set of recommendations addressing how the barriers can be torn down and how positive impacts of circular transition can be supported.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-507/ Deepened Nordic cooperation can speed up the circular economy and unlock multiple benefits and a sustainable, robust development path for the Nordic countries. This report explores how circular economy can be a key enabler for strengthening the Nordics as a region in the new geopolitical landscape. The report presents an overview of the benefits, status, and progress so far on circularity in the Nordics, an inventory of circular economy policies in the Nordics, and a first outline of opportunities for deepened Nordic collaboration and coordination to accelerate the circular transition and building a more resilient, sustainable Nordic region. The report highlights four areas where deepened Nordic cooperation can play an important role.

The Paris Agreement aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels (and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C), but does not refer specifically to greenhouse gas emissions from the international maritime transport sector. This Report outlines the findings of a project commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers, focusing on opportunities for Nordic countries to achieve a transition to low-carbon shipping at national, regional and global scales. It is informed by discussions at the World Maritime University in Malmö in December 2016 between representatives of governments, businesses, NGOs and the research community. The Report presents a low-carbon roadmap for shipping with actions and outcomes concerning low-carbon technology, ship operations, finance, public policy, and public-private partnerships.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-543/ A systematic and continuously measurement of the progress towards the circular economy can inform decision making and policies, and thus strengthen the circular transition. However, this pre-study, mapping circular economy indicators across the Nordic countries on both national and sub-national level, reveals that as of 2020, data streams and indicators are missing for the inner loops of the circular economy. A monitoring system embracing only selected aspects of the circular economy (where data is readily available) risks exaggerating the focus on these areas and downgrade the importance of other areas where data is unattainable, even though the latter may (in principle) be creating more circular value (such as prolonging products’ lifetimes).

The Nordic countries have been working together for several decades to protect nature and the environment. This report presents the recommendations that have emerged from an external strategic review of the potential for official Nordic co-operation on the environment and climate under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate. The recommendations relate to the following five main areas: specific solutions for a green transition, mobilising key players, funding green transition, international co-operation, and adaptation to climate change. This report is part of a series of strategic and prospective studies commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Previous strategic reviews have dealt with working life, health and energy. The strategic reviews are part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ reform programme.

This booklet presents actions taken by the Nordic countries to speed the transition to a sustainable low-carbon society. It shows how sustainable development is possible, with strong climate policies contributing to economic growth and job creation as well as environmental improvements. The Nordic countries successfully demonstrate how ambitious climate change mitigation targets and policies can be combined with high levels of human development.

This booklet presents actions taken by the Nordic countries to speed the transition to a sustainable low-carbon society. It shows how sustainable development is possible, with strong climate policies contributing to economic growth and job creation as well as environmental improvements. The Nordic countries successfully demonstrate how ambitious climate change mitigation targets and policies can be combined with high levels of human development.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2022-724/ In 2019, the Nordic prime ministers adopted a vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by the year 2030. The Nordic Council of Ministers was tasked with steering Nordic co-operation towards delivering this vision. The Nordic Council of Ministers is following a special action plan in its efforts relating to the vision for the period 2021 to 2024. Now, after almost two years, a mid-point evaluation has been produced. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine during the period, the Nordic Council of Ministers has delivered concrete results and made an impact. The activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers are being steered towards supporting the Nordic countries as well as possible in their realisation of the vision. Efforts relating to the green transition have been bolstered by way of DKK 120 million in additional funding thanks to a budget redistribution in the period 2021 to 2024. The mid-point evaluation was approved by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation in September 2022.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2023-728/ Our Vision 2030 describes what it will take to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. The sheer ambition makes it important to monitor progress closely. To this end, the Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned Rambøll Management Consulting to conduct baseline measurements back in 2021. The idea was to map out the starting point for work on the vision. This status report follows up on the baseline measurements and assesses progress towards realising the vision. It is based on the 45 indicators adopted by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021 and the methodology used for the baseline report. Overall, the 2023 status report shows that the Nordic Region remains on track to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. This is particularly true for the visions of a competitive Nordic Region and a socially sustainable Nordic Region. However, there is room for improvement with regard to the visions for a green Nordic Region.