Fossil Free Challenge

Led by Haga Initiative

In 2023, Fossil Free Challenge works with three different pillars around Nordic exports that can generate international climate benefits.

1. Gather experience around calculation methods (qualitative and quantitative) that can be used to enhance the climate benefits of exports.
2. Cooperation and partnership needed to accelerate Nordic exports and solutions that generate climate benefits.
3. Highlight good examples of Nordic exports that provide climate benefits.

The workstream has an international perspective and intends to engage export promotion actors, export companies, experts and decision-makers to build on the benefits that the Nordic markets can contribute by exporting solutions and contributing to global emission reductions. There is great potential to utilize the innovation, knowledge and climate-friendly solutions that Nordic companies have developed and offer. Nordic companies can become more competitive in the global market as countries around the world accelerate their efforts to achieve their national climate plans.

The overall aim for the workstream Fossil Free Challenge is to collect and exchange experiences, knowledge and insights from the entire Nordic region and raise opportunities for collaboration and how the climate benefits of exports can contribute. In 2022, the workstream gathered a group of export promotion actors for a workshop which resulted in a Nordic conversation about challenges and priorities for their work. It resulted in a number of conclusions which intend to serve as a basis for the next stage of the project:

• There is a great need for increased cooperation within the Nordics to scale up green solutions internationally (eg green batteries, wind power and hydrogen), given that the Nordic market is limited.
• There is a need for more knowledge sharing regarding methods for calculating the climate benefits of exports in the Nordic region, such as disseminating reports and cross-border discussions.
• Strategies are needed to navigate the current geopolitical landscape and build resilient ecosystems within the Nordic region.
• There is a need to strengthen the profile of Nordic exports' climate benefits, among other things through marketing and market analyses, but also by educating Nordic actors in export promotion, for instance Team Sweden.

In addition to the fact that the workshop connected actors from the Nordic countries who had previously engaged in dialogue to varying extents, the knowledge and conclusions will serve as a basis for future work with the Fossil Free Challenge.

In 2024, a report was produced about Nordic companies role in reducing consumption-based emissions:

The Nordic countries are globally recognized for their commitment to sustainability, yet they face challenges in managing consumption-based emissions. As these emissions are often higher than territorial emissions, it is essential for Nordic businesses to play a pivotal role in reducing them. The report presents some suggestions around this:

1. Strengthen sustainable Nordic value chains with co-benefits
2. Strengthen sustainable Nordic value chains with co-benefits
3. Advocate for sustainable consumption patterns amongst customers
4. Invest in green technologies

The global economy requires a holistic approach to emission reductions, even in the Nordics, so focusing more on reducing consumption-based emissions on a societal level is crucial. Read the full report here The-role-of-businesses-to-help-reduce-consumption-based-emissions-in-the-nordics-FINAL-3.pdf

Contact: Gabrielle Tillberg,