Nordic Climate Solutions
Ladies and gentlemen.
I have the great pleasure, for the second time in a row, of addressing you at the closing of Nordic Climate Solutions.
I would like to thank all the speakers for inspired and insightful presentations, and you the audience for creating debates, and challenging and commenting the presentations.
We all know that we face great challenges in the area of climate and energy. We also know that we must solve a lot of problems linked to these challenges in the near future. And doing nothing is not an option.
Luckily the Nordic region, its people and companies, possesses many of the vital skills needed for turning challenges into opportunities. I believe that this region can be a winner in these challenging times by being a frontrunner when it comes to climate friendly energy solutions. And this is not only beneficiary for this region. No, this will also have a positive impact for others as well.
As the Danish prime minister said in his speech yesterday “Green investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are expected to pay off quickly and to create large employment opportunities.”
The Nordic prime ministers have frequently pointed in this direction. In their view the Nordic countries should strengthen their joint efforts when it comes to sustainable energy solutions. The prime ministers’ joint declaration on climate friendly solutions from June this year is just one example of their commitment.
The organisation that I represent, The Nordic Council of Ministers, is highly engaged in policies supporting the visions of the Nordic prime ministers. We are eager to contribute to their vision of the Nordic region as the “green valley of Europe”.
Let me name some examples of our work.
In the wake of the second Nordic Globalisation Forum the Nordic Council of Ministers has launched the first sub-programme of the Top-level Research Initiative. It is the biggest joint Nordic investment in research and innovation ever. The Top-level Research Initiative’s first call concerns "Impact studies and adaptation to climate change".
We have also launched our joint web platform, Nordic Energy Solutions. This is a platform that will contribute to international marketing of Nordic energy solutions and help us to meet the demands of a progressive climate policy. Not just in the Nordic countries but globally.
A trademark of the Nordic countries is the emphasis on sustainable development and the global concern, which is reflected in the Nordic Development Fund.
Within the next 35 years the Nordic Development Fund will invest and support the transfer of climate friendly technology to the world’s poorest countries for up to 1 billion euro.
The Nordic Development Fund is not the only Nordic institution to work with climate and energy investment. The Nordic Environment Finance Corporation, NEFCO has for a long time now been operating in North-West Russia, and has built up a solid network and resource database for doing projects concerning renewable energy and energy efficiency in the region.
Also The Nordic Investment Bank has a long tradition of financing solutions which are making the environment cleaner and increasing energy efficiency.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
When I walked around the exhibition area today I couldn’t help but thinking that our region has much to offer. It has been an inspiration being here. But there is still much work to be done on all levels; locally, nationally, regionally and globally. We can clearly see that we have the possibilities to solve the large challenges of this century. We in the Nordic countries believe that our work can make a difference.
Climate friendly transportation and buildings are areas that the Nordic Council of Ministers is looking into at the moment. I am looking forward to initiating dialogues between the political level and our business society.
I am also looking forward to bring the conclusions of this conference into the discussions between our ministers working on these issues – be it energy, environment, research and business.
So once again I would like to thank all of you for your active participation, and on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers it has been a pleasure to be part of this event in cooperation with Monday Morning and Nidab.
I truly believe that the Nordic region has the potential of becoming the “Green Valley of Europe” for the benefit of all.
Thank you.
