Nordic Cooperation A model for Europe? Gunnel Gustafsson

The Nordic Collaborative Tradition The Nordics have collaborated extensively through the Nordic Council (parliamentarians) since 1952 and the Nordic Council of Ministers since 1971 Five countries; Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden Three autonomous areas; the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland

Background The Nordic Prime Ministers initiated the Top-level Research Initiative in Punkaharju Finland in 2007 A year later they met and formulated the Riksgränsen Declaration which states that: ”The Nordic region is in a strong position to pioneer efforts to combat climate change. A sustainable Nordic model for meeting climate challenges will demonstrate the potential for combining reduced emissions with economic growth”.

Research questions being addressed (1/2) Effect studies and adaptation to climate change Impacts of climate change, and the adaptation needs of the society as well as new opportunities Interaction between climate change and the cryosphere Science driven questions of high interest to society, science, industry and/or infrastructure Energy efficiency with nanotechnology Future efficient and sustainable energy systems in the transport sector, electricity production and utility

Research questions being addressed (2/2) Integration of large-scale wind power Focus on grid issues, energy balances and energy markets issues Sustainable bio-fuel Renewable bio-fuels from non-food resources such as wood and agricultural residues CO 2 – capture and storage (CCS) Coordinate research and innovation and exchange of experience among Nordic countries to avoid manifold investments in the same themes

Research Results Results from Research and Innovation take time But contributions are expected with regard to Nordic coordinated efforts to bring new ideas and findings on climate, energy and the environment to societies and to the market Knowledge in response to Grand Challenges in this field might turn problems into world wide opportunities for renewal of energy production, green growth etc.

Institutional Results and lessons learned A Nordic Center is established in Oslo; NordForsk, NICe and NEF work together Lesson Research and innovation on climate, energy and environmental issues are actually being started, and this could not have happened without the prime ministers Top-Down Initiative A rather complicated management structure that involves three Nordic institutions and a Board, including 15 representatives, three from each country and five from research, innovation and energy respectively. In addition, there are six programme committees with ten members in each committee. Lesson There is a need for simplification

A model for Europe ? There is cooperation across sectors in society at the agency level i.e. between research, innovation and energy institutions. There is cooperation between individuals working at universities and in companies. These platforms pave the way for transfer of competencies. Cooperation of this kind can build trust and dialogue between groups in society which previously did not understand each other. The common “pot system” is much admired outside the Nordic area. Maybe TFI can become a model for Joint Programming? What are the arguments for and against “export of this model”? Can policy learning take place ? Why ? Why not?