The climate crisis out in the cold?
COP15 in Copenhagen still haunts in the wings and now it will all start up again at COP17 in South Africa. The global climate crisis is far from resolved but has apparently been forgotten by the media. What is the position of the Nordic countries in the run-up to COP17 and what steps have been taken since COP15? Analys Norden looks at this question in this year's last theme issue.
Finland
The climate debate is no longer in vogue
Finland's climate policy has to a large extent involved an adjustment to the European Union's general climate line. The same applies to the Durban summit. Finland's support for the EU's target of a 30 per cent reduction in emissions is conditional, whereas all the major industrialised countries have sincerely promised to reduce their emissions. There is emphasis on the role of clean technology. Despite this, the main change that has occurred in the climate debate is that the whole subject has been side-tracked, left in the background of politics but out of sight.
Sweden
Resignation and some good suggestions
In the weeks leading up to the climate summit in Durban there is intense debate in Sweden – on care for the elderly. The private equity firm Carema has neglected old and senile people. The company has earned big money from Swedish taxpayers while Carema's own profits have been transferred to the tax haven of Jersey. A series of reports on television, radio and in all the Swedish newspapers have has dominated the debate and shaken the government. It is perhaps typical of our times.
Norway
Climate clash on hold
In the winter, or the spring, the Norwegian parliament (Storting) will make the unpopular decisions which will result in tremendous cuts in Norwegian climate gas emissions by 2020. Or perhaps there will be yet another delay? 14 years' experience of follow-up to the Kyoto Agreement indicates that the politicians will once again put the difficult decisions off. It is much easier to save the rain forests in Brazil and Indonesia than to force Norwegians to drive their cars less.
Denmark
Denmark will - again! - be a pioneer green country
The new Danish government led by Social Democrat Helle Thorning-Schmidt may make history as a green government. A new energy plan contains sky-high ambitions. The business community is cautiously positive - but fears for its competitiveness.
Iceland
Large-scale industry, consumerism and motoring in a country with an abundance of clean energy
The Icelandic government approved an action plan for climate change last year. The course they have projected will reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases by up to 30 per cent by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. The target in 2007 was to reduce emissions by 50-70 per cent before 2050. This is in line with EU policy.
