Climate and energy issues waiting for a revolution

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has recently forecast a 70% increase in global oil demand and a 130% rise in Co2 emissions by 2050. Recognising the severity of these predictions, Nordic countries intend to contribute further towards efforts to prevent such a dire scenario transpiring.

These statistics will become reality if serious global counteraction is not taken. According to IEA senior advisor Jeppe Bjerg, “We need a global energy technology revolution”.

The next UN climate summit will take place in Copenhagen in 2009, turning many eyes towards the Nordic countries. The aim is ambitious: the world needs a new and effective post-Kyoto climate agreement. Paving the way for the summit in 2009, Nordic states will host several high-profile international climate and energy conferences.

The first annual Scan-REF (Scandinavian Renewable Energy Forum) conference and exhibition will take place in Oslo, on October 1st – 2nd, 2008. The main objective of Scan-REF is to create a world leading forum for executives in the renewable energy industries, based on a Scandinavian market platform.

Under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM), the conference and exhibition Nordic Climate Solutions will take place in Copenhagen, on November 25th – 26th, 2008. Nordic Climate Solutions is Scandinavia’s most important marketplace for stakeholders in climate change, renewable energy sourcing and ‘clean-tech’ industries.

The NCM 2006-2009 action plan for Nordic energy co-operation focuses on three main areas:

• Energy markets: The objective is to create the best possible framework for the development of the Nordic energy markets, especially the electricity market, and thereby serve as a model for the rest of Europe.
• A sustainable energy system: The objective is to ensure the optimum balance between economic growth, security of energy supply and environmental considerations.
• Nordic impact on the international agenda: The objective is to ensure that the Nordic region is at the forefront of progress and development within the EU and other international energy co-operative bodies.

According to the IEA report, moving technology from demonstration to commercial viability is often the most difficult phase for many new innovations. A research project supported by the NCM studied the readiness of the building, pulp and paper and mobile industries for eco-innovation. It revealed that at least the building sector was not motivated to innovate.

Nordic energy and climate co-operation is primarily based on the joint statement by the Nordic prime ministers in Punkaharju in June 2007. The so-called ‘Punkkaharju statement’ outlined the key action principles for helping to address these urgent global challenges.

For further information browse:

Nordic Energy Research
Nordforsk
Nordic énergy co-operation