Report calls for a digital policy for the green transition

22.09.21 | News
Digital Green Transition
Photographer
Milan Seitler / Unsplash
Digital innovation is crucial for the green economy of the future. Although the Nordic and Baltic countries have made progress, they lack an overall policy that integrates the digital and the green. A new report highlights the importance of both digital and green expertise. It also points out that companies and organisations need proper access to open green data and that innovative political solutions are crucial to the green transition.

New technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchains and the Internet of Things have long since left the starting blocks, and real solutions aimed at reducing CO2 emissions are being delivered across multiple sectors. The problem is that none of this is happening fast enough. According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the current situation demands changes on an unprecedented scale and at unheard-of speeds.

All of our recommendations prioritise integration and use of new technology to make society more sustainable.

Christian Ingemann, Mandag Morgen

Enabling the Digital Green Transition is a new study commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers and conducted by a consortium led by the Copenhagen-based think tank Mandag Morgen. The study has resulted in a number of research-based recommendations for political innovation, as explained by project manager Christian Ingemann.

“All of our recommendations prioritise integration and use of new technology to make society more sustainable. It is all about adding value via innovative thinking and far-sighted policies. We need to focus on incentives that promote digital green innovation though partnerships that transcend sectors, regions and countries. This is how we will show companies, official bodies and the people the potential for real economic and environmental growth.”

The way forward

We must make the most of the value inherent in open green data. Although several Nordic and Baltic countries have open national data portals, there are significant differences between them in terms of security, accessibility and the value of their climate data sets. Appropriate policies will help boost innovation in new digital green solutions by organisations in both the private and public sectors – and this will speed up the digital green transition.

We also need to support digital green partners and incubators. The Nordic and Baltic countries already have multiple initiatives that promote innovation that transcends sectors, but more clusters, incubators and accelerators are needed for entrepreneurs who work with digital innovation that focuses on making a positive environmental impact.

Everybody needs digital green skills. The people of the Nordic and Baltic countries are already highly skilled in this area but there is still room for skills enhancement and, more specifically, for building strategic competences with a clear focus on integrating digital and environmental disciplines.

2030 is only eight years away. There is no time to lose.

Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers

Time for action is now

The digital green transition depends on working together. All Nordic and Baltic stakeholders have a role to play in tackling this crucial challenge – which also appears to present great opportunities.

“2030 is only eight years away. There is no time to lose. Everything we do has to revolve around people, businesses and society. We must embrace and develop new technologies and digital transformation to achieve Our Vision 2030, and create an integrated and sustainable region that is green, competitive and socially sustainable,” says Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

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Watch the event live here, starting at 13:00 on Thursday 23 September: