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Between hand-outs and stand-outs: Opportunities for policy support for just green transitions : Policy brief based on Case Study Report “Can local value creation induce a sense of justice during green transitions? A study of six rural areas in Denmark, Finland, and Norway”
No full textThe urgency of climate change, economic shifts, and recent energy crises has highlighted the need for the green transition, with a particular focus on Nordic rural areas playing a key role in developing renewable energy. However, there's concern that this transition might increase existing differences between urban and rural areas. Evidence suggests that people in rural regions feel they might be neglected, which could put fair green transitions and the achievement of climate goals at risk. The policy brief from the Just Green Transition in Rural Areas project emphasises the need to involve local communities in green projects to encourage a sense of ownership and fairness. It calls for early community involvement, clear communication, inclusive compensation strategies, recognition of non-monetary benefits, and using the flexibility of rural municipalities to their advantage. As Nordic rural areas face multiple changes, collaboration across different sectors is vital to ensure fairness and effectiveness in green initiatives, potentially making rural areas pioneers rather than followers in the transition
The Nordic View on Sustainability : Learnings from the Local Level
No full textThis Nordic Voluntary Subnational Review (VSR) is the first cross-national report of its kind in the world. It has been developed as a joint venture by the Nordic Associations of Local and Regional Governments (LRGAs) and Nordregio. The aim of the report is to highlight how the Nordic municipalities and regional authorities have localised the Sustainable Development Goals – progress made, as well as obstacles they have met in their work. Through the report and a toolbox, we want to share learnings and tested methods with local and regional authorities globally. Development happens locally. At least 105 of the 169 SDGs depend on active engagement from local and regional authorities. The 2030 Agenda can serve as tools to pinpoint sustainability challenges and track progress holistically, fostering collaboration among citizens, businesses, and civil society. Nordic welfare states, known for their autonomy at the municipal and regional level, have long served as a global benchmark for systematically addressing sustainability challenges. This Nordic VSR is based on surveys sent to Nordic municipalities, complemented by interviews with representatives from the LRGAs regarding the strengths and weaknesses of national support to the local level, as well as the role of LRGAs in building competence and promoting municipal cooperation. The report also includes subchapters on methods for meaningful citizen engagement by The Nordic Youth Network for Sustainable Development and the Nordic Civil Society Network.
Remote Work in Smaller Towns : Possibilities and uncertainties
No full textHas remote work post-pandemic expanded the influence of Nordic capitals on surrounding towns? Through case studies in five Nordic towns, the report focused on how remote work opportunities influence small-town attractiveness, population retention, and planning strategies. It explores the effects on populations, urban-rural landscapes, and planning needs. The findings reveal a shift in population dynamics, with people moving from capitals to smaller towns, leveraging remote work's flexibility. This shift presents opportunities and challenges for regional development, highlighting the need for further research to navigate the complexities of remote work's long-term implications. Despite remote work becoming common, the study found little proof that remote work opportunities have made these towns more attractive. Remote or hybrid work can attract new populations and highly qualified personnel, enhancing towns' attractiveness without necessarily increasing the population. Ongoing research is needed to fully understand remote work's potential and inform policy and planning to attract new residents and visitors
Emission-free Construction Sites : Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs
No full textThis report stresses the urgent need to address greenhouse gas emissions in construction through research and pilot projects. The key recommendations focus on planning, design, environmental impact assessment, energy, waste reduction, regulations and financial incentives. Emphasizing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) integration in Nordic regulations for estimating emissions, highlights the necessity of harmonizing methods for low-carbon solutions. Addressing data gaps in transport-related emissions and waste, it proposes enhancing collection methods, and exploring energy efficiency, battery electrification, and hydrogen technologies despite infrastructure limitations and cost barriers. Overall, it advocates for gathering emissions data, fostering stakeholder cooperation, and aligning regulations to create a more sustainable construction industry
Nordic research infrastructure collaboration : Recommendations for common Nordic activities
No full textThis report investigates Research Infrastructure activities in the Nordic countries and discuss with the Nordic Research Infrastructure Co-operation Committee (NRICC), what measures can be taken to strengthen Research Infrastructure cooperation at the Nordic level
Recycling of Critical Raw Materials in the Nordics
No full textA modern society needs access to critical raw materials (CRM) that are necessary for maintaining and developing its industries, infrastructure and welfare system. Europe has been facing increasing challenges in meeting its need for these materials, which are defined by their high economic importance and significant supply risk. The implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) of EU aims to reduce this vulnerability by establishing a framework to ensure the Union's access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. One important measure highlighted by this regulation is to increase CRM recycling. This report describes potential measures and instruments that may be relevant for Nordic countries and territories as tools for hitting the CRM recycling targets that CRMA introduces
Policy measures to compensate for increasing costs of energy: Impacts on equity, climate, and the environment
No full textThe Nordic region's climate change goals are challenged by significant energy price hikes from 2021 to 2023. Nordic governments implemented various price compensation measures, but their impact on social-, climate-, and environmental goals remains uncertain. The impact evaluation presented in this report highlights that the Nordic measures were characterised by diverse designs, rapid yet problematic implementation, and limited redistribution to low-income households. Several measures discouraged effective resource allocation and emission reduction. To reduce the risk of conflict between compensation measures and climate change policy it is important that measures are understood as temporary. Measures that utilise flat rate or regressive patterns for transfer of funds, and that decouple funds from current consumption, should have been more effective that most of the measures utilised
A review of the Nordic implementation of the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan
No full textThis report reviews the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Gender Action Plan (UNFCCC GAP) in the Nordic countries. The UNFCCC GAP aims at advancing knowledge and understanding of gender responsive climate action, and includes activities for gender mainstreaming the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The report finds that the Nordic region demonstrates commitment to integrating gender equality perspectives into climate policies, and summarises best case examples on local and national level. It also suggests that by prioritising capacity building of mainstreaming in climate policies, utilising available sex-disaggregated data for gender analysis, and by enhancing coherence in relevant policy frameworks, the Nordic countries can improve their implementation of the UNFCCC GAP and further pave the way for a just transition to a green economy
Förebygga sexuella trakasserier i arbetslivet : Nordisk forskningssatsning 2021–2023
No full textSexuella trakasserier i arbetslivet är en utmaning för den nordiska arbetsmarknaden och för målet att skapa en inkluderande, jämställd och sammanhållen region. Både internationella och nordiska studier visar att sexuella trakasserier finns i alla sektorer på arbetsmarknaden och att det får allvarliga negativa konsekvenser. De fem nordiska jämställdhetsministrarna beslutade därför att avsätta medel för ny forskning om sexuella trakasserier i arbetslivet i Norden. Målet var främst att bidra till ny kunskap, med fokus på förebyggande insatser och metoder för intervention. Forskningssatsningen utfördes 2021-2013 i samverkan mellan de nordiska sektorerna för jämställdhet, för kultur och för arbetsliv samt den nordiska barn- och ungdomskommittén. I denna publikation kan du läsa mer om forskningssatsningen, projekten och deras nyckelbudskap
New report out now: Insights on impact 2024
No full textOverview of results and effects reported by active NordForsk funded projects reported in our submission period 2024. The report contains data on publications, policy influence, dissemination activities and other impact indicators