The Nordic countries have been working together for several decades to protect nature and the environment. This report presents the recommendations that have emerged from an external strategic review of the potential for official Nordic co-operation on the environment and climate under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate. The recommendations relate to the following five main areas: specific solutions for a green transition, mobilising key players, funding green transition, international co-operation, and adaptation to climate change. This report is part of a series of strategic and prospective studies commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Previous strategic reviews have dealt with working life, health and energy. The strategic reviews are part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ reform programme.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2020-056/ This report presents the results of an analysis of the links between the green transition and social sustainability in the Nordic countries. The analysis examines what a socially sustainable green transition means in practice, and on that basis makes a number of recommendations to the Nordic countries. We have both gathered knowledge from existing initiatives and brought this to the ongoing debate in the Nordic countries on how social sustainability is integrated into the green transition. The aim of the report is to provide an understanding of the potential impact of this transition on social and economic equality in the Nordic countries, as well as of the tools that can be used to mitigate inequality-creating side effects.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-727/ Our Vision 2030 seeks to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. When pursuing such an ambitious goal, it is important to monitor progress closely and regularly. The Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned Rambøll Management Consulting to draw up a baseline measurement for Our Vision and paint a picture of where the Nordic Region stands now. While the report shows that the foundations for the work are solid and progress generally good, it also identifies a number of challenges and points out where there is room for improvement, especially in terms of the green transition.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/genderclimate/ In the Nordic region we are good at coming up with climate-smart solutions, but for quite some time now we’ve been relatively unaware of how these solutions are affecting gender equality. In 2022, the Nordic ministers for gender equality and LGBTI decided to acquire more knowledge about the link between gender equality and climate in the Nordic Region. We’ve now made progress. This knowledge bank is for those of you who work nationally, regionally, or in a municipality. Here you’ll find facts about how climate action affects gender equality and vice versa, and which gender equality measures that are needed to make climate solutions more effective.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-507/ The Nordic countries have a progressive gender policy, and requirements to ensure gender equality and balance are laid down in laws and national strategies. However, the knowledge on the links between gender and climate change has been lacking documentation and has not been shared with relevant Nordic stakeholders and policy makers. The report seeks to close this knowledge gap. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how climate change policies affect gender and vice versa, and it is clear evidence of the importance of- and need to engage women and minorities in climate policy making. This is an important step towards implementing a climate change policy without negative effects on gender. The study gives an overview of existing and lacking sex-disaggregated data as well as a status regarding gender equality in decision-making related to climate policy in the Nordic countries.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2022-724/ In 2019, the Nordic prime ministers adopted a vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by the year 2030. The Nordic Council of Ministers was tasked with steering Nordic co-operation towards delivering this vision. The Nordic Council of Ministers is following a special action plan in its efforts relating to the vision for the period 2021 to 2024. Now, after almost two years, a mid-point evaluation has been produced. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine during the period, the Nordic Council of Ministers has delivered concrete results and made an impact. The activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers are being steered towards supporting the Nordic countries as well as possible in their realisation of the vision. Efforts relating to the green transition have been bolstered by way of DKK 120 million in additional funding thanks to a budget redistribution in the period 2021 to 2024. The mid-point evaluation was approved by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation in September 2022.