The Nordic countries to invest EUR 33 million in green and digitalised business sector

8 September 2020

The initiatives will make it easier for Nordic companies to operate across borders and support the vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The package put forward by the ministers for trade and industry consists of a total of eight key initiatives for the period 2021 to 2024 worth a total of EUR 33.5 million. The ministers approved the initiatives at a digital meeting on 1 September.

“The eight initiatives exemplify how climate measures, the green digital shift, and economic recovery after the coronavirus crisis go hand in hand. These initiatives in areas such as circular and sustainable business models, green transport, and digitalisation strengthen the Nordic Region’s position at the forefront of green innovation and entrepreneurship, and thus contribute to future sustainable growth and new jobs,” said Simon Kollerup, Denmark’s Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, who is chairing the Nordic ministers for trade and industry in 2020.

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A green and competitive Nordic Region

The transport sector is one of the areas where the ministers for trade and industry see huge potential for increased co-operation. Among other things, the ministers want to draw up a green Nordic maritime transport strategy. The objective of this is to enable Nordic trucks and ships to increasingly be run using green fuels.

The ministers also want to strengthen the Nordic Region’s position in the circular and green shift, with an initiative for circular business models, data, and digitalisation.

The construction sector is another investment area. The aim is to make construction materials as reusable as possible and to make housing more climate-friendly. In addition, investments are being made in more sustainable mining operations and metal production.

"The initiatives represent a determined advance towards a stronger and more sustainable Nordic Region"
- Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers

“The initiatives by the ministers for trade and industry represent a determined advance towards a stronger and more sustainable Nordic Region. They are important steps in our quest to make business and industry green, circular, and carbon-neutral in line with our vision. This is positive for both the climate and our economies,” said Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030

Source

Nordic Co-operation