Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-554/ We have quantified annual changes of N stocks in forests in Sweden, Finland, Norway and in Denmark in two independent ways. First, we quantified major inflows (atmospheric deposition and biological N fixation) and outflows (leaching of N to runoff and tree harvest). The N outflows were between 70% and 130% of the N inflows, not indicating major loss or build-up of organic matter in any of the four countries. Then we calculated N stock change in forests based on annual C stock changes reported to UNFCCC and known C/N ratios. All four countries report annual increase of forest C stocks. The sources of N to make the C stock increase possible have not been identified in the N budgets based on inflows and outflows. The discrepancy between forest N and C budgets raises the question of the consistency between reported N and C flows and stock changes.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-537/ The project reviews a range of relevant land-use measures, their climate mitigation effects and the associated policy instruments, with a focus on Denmark, Finland and Sweden. It identifies alternative policy instruments that can be introduced to further augment carbon sequestration in the LULUCF sector in the Nordic countries. Key findings of the project are 1) Several land-use measures relevant for climate mitigation exist (e.g. measures on organic soils, afforestation) although the implementations are rarely explicitly driven by climate goals; 2) Policy instruments are currently limited and less diverse in their forms; 3) Alternative policy instruments include performance based incentive mechanisms, carbon rent approach, and market based instruments. Follow-up research is needed to support, incentivize and augment climate mitigation in the LULUCF sector in the Nordic region.

Farming is the foundation of our food system. While the prerequisite for farming is a clean environment and a diverse nature, agriculture is currently the cause of major environmental problems, including greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions. The challenge to protect our environment and feed the world sometimes seem insurmountable, but solutions might be just around the corner. This policy brief presents two food system scenarios for Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, where the majority of food is produced within the region using organic farming practices and where livestock is mainly fed on grass and by-products not suitable for human consumption. The results show that we could feed the projected Nordic population in 2030 on organic food, mostly grown within the region, while reducing the climate and nitrogen footprints of our food system.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2022-018/ This policy brief is issued by the Nordic Working Group for Sustainable Cities, under the umbrella of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The overall objective and purpose of the efforts of this working group, which ended its work at the end of 2021 and was subsequently integrated into the Nordic Working Group on Biodiversity, was to contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030 with an emphasis on strengthening the exchange of experiences and co-operating on Nordic solutions for sustainable urban development. The importance of urban green spaces in achieving this has been a key focus of the group’s work. The text was prepared by Cecil C. Konijnendijk under assignment from the Working Group.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-541/# Nordic blue forests are coastal vegetated habitats, such as kelp forests, eelgrass meadows and rockweed beds, that are important natural sinks for carbon and thereby climate regulation. They also play an important role in climate adaptation. Simultaneously, blue forests are at high risk from climate change and other human impacts, such as eutrophication and coastal development. This report presents the main findings of the Nordic Blue Carbon Project (2017–2020) on the areal distribution and carbon budget of blue forests (kelp forests, seagrass meadows and rockweed beds) in the Nordic region. We have identified the main ecosystem effects of climate change and other human pressures on Nordic blue forests, tested the effect of moderating some of these pressures, and give scientific advice on management measures aimed at safeguarding these important coastal ecosystems for the future.

Abstract: The objective of this project is to discuss the role of forests in Nordic countries in climate change mitigation and discuss the possible roles of forests as a part of a cost-effective climate policy. The report aims to provide a comprehensive and easily digestible way to better understand the issue. The report includes a discussion on the role of forests for enhancing carbon stocks and carbon sinks in the Nordic countries. The extent of above- and below-ground biomass and their role as forests carbon sinks in Nordic forests is analysed. The use of wood in products, buildings and as bioenergy is examined. Finally the report presents emissions trading schemes from around the globe that allow offsets and credits from forest projects on them and provides an analysis on the feasibility of such a scheme for the Nordic region. The report has been commissioned by the Working Group on Environment and Economics under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The study was carried out by Indufor