Nordic prime ministers respond to Trump
On Thursday, in a joint letter to the US President Donald Trump, the Nordic prime ministers urged him to “make the right decision” and remain in the Paris Agreement.
Later that evening Donald Trump announced that he intends to leave or renegotiate the agreement that aims to keep the global temperature increase below two degrees Celsius.
Strong reactions
There were many strong reactions from the 193 countries that have signed up to the agreement expressing their sadness and disappointment at the US’s decision.
On Friday the Nordic prime ministers along with many other world leaders confirmed their unwavering support for the Paris Agreement.
In early May in Oslo the Nordic ministers for the environment adopted a joint climate declaration expressing their support for climate research and evidence-based legislation. The ministers for the environment concluded that the steadfast nature of the ambitious Nordic climate agenda and Nordic leadership is unwavering.
Joint global initiative
On Tuesday 30 May in Bergen, the Nordic prime ministers launched a global initiative, Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges, in which climate efforts are an integral part.
At the launch, Katherine Richardson who has been appointed as an expert in the UN scientific monitoring group for Agenda 2030, said that the transition to renewable energy is starting to stand on its own two feet and cannot now be stopped.
“I honestly don’t think Donald Trump is a serious threat to the movement in terms of moving to renewable energy,” said Richardson.
Through the initiative, the Nordic prime ministers want to contribute Nordic climate and energy solutions in order to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN’s Agenda 2030.
“Green energy strengthens the economy”
“The Nordic initiative is important because the Nordic countries have a unique opportunity to bring energy solutions into the market. I think we should operate as planned,” says Richardson.
One of the fundamental ideas is to use the Nordic Region as an example of sustainable development that does not conflict with economic growth.
“All the Nordic countries have a vision and concrete plans to become fossil free. Moving to green energy will boost the economy. Our common electricity market will also help to reach the target. We need to push the green transition even more – there is simply no time to waste,” comments Juha Sipilä, Prime Minister of Finland.
- You can read the letter signed by the five Nordic prime ministers to Donald Trump here: “Dear Mr. President...”
