The Nordic Working Group for Environment and Economy (NME)

The mandate of the intersectoral Nordic Working Group for Environment and Economy (NME) has been approved by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ environment and climate sector as well as the finance sector. Its main role is to generate economic development based on sustainable production and consumption patterns and decouple environmental impact from economic growth. NME projects aim to link to and contribute to current Nordic and international – mainly European – processes. To achieve this, it contributes to ongoing debates, drafts reports and informs the public about the results of projects. Project outcomes must be of political interest from an environmental and economic perspective.

Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland each have two representatives, one from each sector. NME also has representatives from the autonomous territories Greenland and Åland.

The Group meets twice a year. The spring meeting discusses ongoing projects, project ideas for the following year and topical issues such as OECD issues. The autumn meeting sets the work programme and budget for the following year.

The Environment and Economy Group coordinator spends 70% of his or her working hours on the group. The NMW is chaired by one of its members. The period of office is max. two years at a time. The group has a budget of approximately DKK 2 million per annum. NME's work and priorities are described in greater detail in its annual work programmes.