Nordic cooperation on energy efficiency
The Nordic Council of Ministers has put down a working group to promote co-operation between the Nordic countries, and keep the position as one of Europe’s leading regions in energy efficiency.
Making the most of it. The Nordic countries are among the most energy efficient countries in Europe (Photo: Istockphoto)
Nordic countries have shown that economic growth not necessarily requires an increase in energy consumption or CO2 emissions. A country like Sweden increased its GNP by 48 % between 1990 and 2007 while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 9 %, while Denmark has witnessed 30 years of economic growth whilst not increasing its energy consumption.
Examples like these have put the Nordic countries on the vanguard in the field of energy efficiency in Europe. To remain in the driving seat The Nordic Council of Ministers has put down a Working Group for Energy Efficiency to strengthen Nordic cooperation in the field.
- Energy efficiency measures is the most cost efficient way of reducing emissions and achieving energy independence, while improving business competitiveness and cutting consumer’s energy costs, says Peter Nielsen from the Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy, and member of the working group for energy efficiency.
An international effort
As the world’s population grows, so does our demand for energy, making energy efficiency a matter of global importance. It is also a matter that affects our daily lives, from our work space to our living rooms. The group aims at securing an increased focus on Nordic co-operation on energy efficiency within sectors such as construction, transport and industry, as well as energy use in our households.
The marking, standardization and designing of tomorrow’s energy efficient solutions in appliances, transportation modes or industries, is an international effort. The Nordic working group wishes to contribute to this work, as well as having a say in what this future will look like.
- We wish to make our views on the matter count internationally, especially in the European Union, says Peter Nielsen.
To achieve its objectives, the Working Group for Energy Efficiency plans to carry out five projects and a number of activities during 2010. The projects will focus on the public sector as a model of energy efficiency issues, the EU action plan on energy efficiency, consumer advice, control tests and a Nordic venture of combined heat and power at regional level.
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