Download or read book Urban Climate Adaptation in the Nordics written by Dahl, Piret Stern and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2023-06-06 with total page 45 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-015/ Climate adaptation is becoming an increasingly important topic for the world’s cities, which continue to grow and contribute immensely to global emissions. While public space in cities is too often neither sustainable nor effective, Nordic and Baltic cities have pioneered solutions for transforming public space which – apart from helping reduce transport emissions, improve air quality and create more inclusive spaces – also increase their resilience to the changing climate. This catalogue presents 12 inspiring solutions from cities across the region that could eventually prompt larger shifts in how urban public space is planned, designed and utilised. The catalogue also features the “Transform your street!” youth engagement initiative and 11 policy recommendations on how city governments can transform public space to enable climate adaptation, fossil-free mobility and youth engagement.

Download or read book Policy Brief Nordic Cities Green Resilient Healthy Fostering national policies and initiatives for urban green space written by Nordic Council of Ministers Secretariat and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2022-09-12 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book Policy brief Stronger together for a climate resilient north written by Matthíasdóttir, Theódóra and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2023-06-13 with total page 22 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-017/ The 6th Nordic Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, NOCCA23, took place in Reykjavik, Iceland in April 2023. The focus of the conference was on ways to accelerate mainstreaming of adaptation at the municipal level in the Nordics. Four themes were studied: sea level rise, transboundary climate risks, nature-based solutions, and local master planning. The conference explored the current state of adaptation as well as actions implemented in the Nordic countries and the challenges, opportunities, and learnings from the implementation process. The role of different actors was discussed, and how engagement with the community is paramount to success. Finally, the role of the Nordic Council in accelerating adaptation measures within the Nordic region and beyond was discussed. The results have been summarized into a policy brief capturing the thrust of the discussion of the conference.

Download or read book Sustainable Nordic cities with focus on climate smart mobility written by Mellin, Anna and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2021-02-01 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-505/# Sustainable Nordic cities with a focus on climate-smart mobility is one of four projects launched under the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2018. The aim of the project is to contribute to a sustainable urban development by supporting the transition to fossil free and sustainable transportation in Nordic cities and their surround-ing regions. The project involves collaborating and exchanging experi-ences with other Nordic countries to find solutions for charging electric vehicles and creating attractive and climate-smart urban transport. This report has been compiled from some of the most interesting applicable examples found in the Nordic countries. In here we present policy recom-mendations and good examples on how to accelerate the transition to cli-mate-smart mobility and accessibility based firmly on these Nordic exchang-es of knowledge and experiences.

Download or read book Comparison and analysis of national climate change adaptation policies in the Nordic region written by Gram-Hanssen, Irmelin and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2023-08-20 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2023-525/ This report presents the findings from a comparative study of climate change adaptation policy in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Based on a comparative analysis of the policy landscape, including legislative frameworks, policy instruments, and financing mechanisms, the report identifies best practices and main challenges as well as key factors influencing the progress of national adaptation. Despite considerable progress in several of the Nordic countries, the report identifies multiple challenges, including lack of systems for monitoring, reporting and evaluation, lack of sufficient funding and economic incentives and lack of appropriate tools and knowledge for aligning adaptation with other societal goals, such as mitigation and sustainable development. The report ends by suggesting ways to enhance adaptation in the Nordic countries.

Download or read book Aspects of Strategic Climate Work in Nordic Municipalities written by Nordic Council of Ministers and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2012-11-16 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nordic municipalities can have a significant impact on creating a more climate-friendly Nordic region. This study gathers valuable information about climate change management in Nordic municipalities and gives a general view to the local climate work in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The study aims at recognising the success factors and needs for support in Nordic local climate change work. It is based on a web survey conducted between October 2011 and February 2012, with an overall response rate of 37 %. The study shows that Nordic municipalities are actively working for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Commonalities in the success factors and challenges are found in the study; however, there is no 'one size fits all' solution, because the countries differ in many respects - the national framework conditions being the most crucial difference.

Download or read book Working With Nature Based Solutions written by Leonard Sandin and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2023-01-23 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-562/ The world is currently facing a biodiversity and climate crisis which are globally interlinked. Nature-based solutions (NBS), defined as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature” is part of the solution to these challenges. Here we give a status overview of nature-based solutions in the Nordic countries, obtained within the S-ITUATION project focusing on 1) what is the current status of research on NBS in the Nordic countries? 2) what policy framework(s) exist for NBS in the Nordic countries? 3) what challenges do Nordic countries experience in the process of mainstreaming NBS? 4) what key examples of projects implementing NBS exist in the Nordic countries? We have done this using several approaches: 1) a review of the academic literature, providing insights on the status of research on NBS in the Nordic countries; 2) a grey literature review in each Nordic country, to describe the policy framework for NBS and practical implementation of NBS projects across the Nordic countries; 3) compilation of a Nordic NBS case projects catalogue, which contains implemented case projects from each Nordic country, using NBS in all major ecosystems: terrestrial (forests and agricultural land), freshwater, coastal and marine, to show the breadth of NBS used in the Nordic countries, 4) Nordic NBS stakeholder consultations. Research on NBS across the Nordics includes several research initiatives. Currently the most central research initiatives are the Nordic Council of Ministers programme on NBS, which is a focused four-year programme. Many Nordic universities and research institutes are also involved in different research projects focusing on or including NBS and there is an exponential interest from researchers in this area. Most of these research projects are targeting NBS in urban areas. In a structured peer-review of scientific publications using the term ‘nature-based solutions’, 64 research papers were found related to the Nordic countries. These studies varied from large-scale ecosystem-based approaches to small-scale NBS. Most of the studies assessed the NBS functions in relation to biophysical qualities, such as water retention capacity, flood risk reduction, health benefits and biodiversity contribution, but there were also studies focusing on potential economic benefits from NBS. Regarding policy frameworks it is evident that these are at different stages of development when it comes to mainstreaming the concept of NBS into policy across the Nordics. Norway and Sweden have adopted the term to a larger degree than Denmark, Finland and Iceland. Still, all five countries conserve, restore and work actively on developing sustainable use of nature, but use other terms (e.g., ‘blue-green infrastructures or solutions’, ‘restoration’, or ‘ecosystem services’) in their policies and guidelines. NBS governance and implementation is an area that is currently advancing rapidly. At the same time, there are still several challenges as well as also opportunities for using NBS to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protect biodiversity and ensure human well-being. Regarding challenges and gaps, we divide these into 1) natural-scientific and technical knowledge gaps, 2) economic shortcomings, 3) regulatory, governance, and policy challenges, and 4) weak stakeholder collaboration. In the project we have identified 54 key examples of projects implementing NBS in the Nordic countries. Most of these cases were related to freshwater, followed by urban/artificial NBS. The number of implemented NBS projects has increased, especially in the last couple of years. Our key messages and recommendations for future mainstreaming of NBS are: 1) clear political prioritization is needed to mainstream NBS into policy and practice, 2) appropriate institutional structures, procedures and policy instruments at all governance levels are essential to facilitate the implementation of NBS, 3) better funding structures for NBS are needed, 4) we need to develop common standards, long-term monitoring and better cost-benefit evaluations of NBS, and 5) the knowledge base in all phases of NBS projects needs to be strengthened.

Download or read book Urban Form Transportation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions written by Irmeli Harmaajärvi and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2004 with total page 93 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Urban sprawl has continued to spread in the Nordic countries over the past few decades, increasing the amount of transportation and transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Urban planners need to take measures to reduce these ecological effects. Accessible, functional public transportation and high-quality cycling and walking networks will help reduce greenhouse gases, improve air quality and traffic safety, and create a more livable urban environment. We can further control the development of urban form and transportation systems through urban design, certain types of taxation, financing of urban infrastructure, traffic pricing, and parking policies. Planning alone cannot stop the urban sprawl. When considering and assessing different measures on a national level, we need to seriously consider legislative and fiscal issues, citizen participation, and other background forces. We need cooperation between researchers, politicians, civil servants, and citizens to better understand the economic, social, and environmental long-term effects of decisions concerning urban development, and we need a continuing discussion of urban-form problems in the Nordic countries to develop national solutions. This publication explores these issues.

Download or read book Towards enhanced climate change adaptation in the Nordic Region written by Gram-Hanssen, Irmelin and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2023-08-20 with total page 21 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Available online: https://pub.norden.org/nord2023-014/ This policy brief presents the findings from the report "Comparison and analysis of national adaptation policies in the Nordic region", along with a set of policy recommendations directed at public authorities in the Nordic countries. After summarizing key progress factors and best practices and main challenges, the policy brief presents five main recommendations: 1) reframe adaptation as transformation; 2) establish mechanisms for systematic knowledge generation and develop appropriate indicators; 3) break down silo-structure between sectors and develop a clearly articulated policy cycle; 4) enhance adaptation financing and economic incentive mechanisms and translate knowledge on risks and vulnerabilities to local adaptation measures; 5) enhance the political mandate for adaptation and strengthen international commitments, including through Nordic collaboration.

Download or read book Nordic Green to Scale for Cities and Communities How far could we go simply by scaling up already proven climate solutions written by Landström, Mariko and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2019-11-18 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Green to Scale is a series of analysis projects that have highlighted the potential of scaling up existing climate solutions. Nordic Green to Scale for Cities and Communities analyses proven climate solutions from Nordic cities and municipalities. This report presents the emission reduction potential of 14 selected solutions. The study highlights the costs, savings and co-benefits of implementing the solutions as well as makes policy recommendations for capturing the potential. The project was carried out by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, together with its partners CICERO, CONCITO, Stockholm Environment Institute, Institute of Sustainability Studies at the University of Iceland and C40 Cities. The project is part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Prime Ministers’ Initiative Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges.

Download or read book Nordic opportunities to provide leadership in the Global Climate Action Agenda written by Nordic Council of Ministers and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2019-05-13 with total page 47 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Global Climate Action Agenda (GCAA) covers a wealth of cooperative action between governments, cities, businesses, non-governmental organisations and citizens. Non-state climate initiatives under the GCAA represent a key means to rapidly bridge the gaps in current climate action. This report identifies some 300 international cooperative initiatives worldwide, noting Nordic stakeholders among the most active participants within these initiatives. The analysis recommends continued Nordic support for initiatives with strong commitments to effective and transparent action. It also filters out 7 mitigation, adaptation and/or finance related initiatives of particular interest for Nordics. They are well aligned with the 2019 Declaration on Nordic Carbon Neutrality by the Nordic prime ministers and represent major opportunities for accelerated climate action - also within Nordic countries.

Download or read book Mobilizing climate finance flows written by Mikko Halonen and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2017-04-03 with total page 151 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If the Agreement’s goal - limit the global temperature increase below 2°C - is to be met, all financial flows need to shift dramatically and rapidly from current investment patterns to 2°C compatible pathways. This study analyses the roles Nordic actors might play in mobilizing finance flows internationally and outlines a roadmap that can guide joint Nordic action during the next five to ten years. While the roadmap covers components of “climate related ODA” and climate compatible contributions from the private sector, the focus of the roadmap lies on the crucial bridging and dialogue that is required between key actors. Building on identified Nordic strengths and areas needing accelerated international support, the report concludes with a set of immediate next steps to operationalize the roadmap in 2017-2018.

Download or read book Nordic Action on Climate Change written by Timothy Bird and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2017-10-10 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This booklet presents actions taken by the Nordic countries to speed the transition to a sustainable low-carbon society. It shows how sustainable development is possible, with strong climate policies contributing to economic growth and job creation as well as environmental improvements. The Nordic countries successfully demonstrate how ambitious climate change mitigation targets and policies can be combined with high levels of human development.

Download or read book Urban Climate Change Crossroads written by Maria Paola Sutto and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-05-15 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Urban climate change is a crossroads in two very different senses. One is historical. With the world now more than half urban, and given the ecological consequences of the world's high-consumption urban centers, we are at an ecological crossroad. We either head off the worst of ecological collapse through concerted and forward-looking action, or we face a 'Mad Max future' of dystopia, violence, and upheaval. The second crossroad is intellectual. Our individual disciplines are unable to grasp the magnitude of the economic-ecological challenges ahead. For that we need to work holistically, calling on the knowledge of climatologists, engineers, sociologists, economists, public health specialist, designers, architects, community organizers, and more. The intellectual crossroad is nothing less than a new intellectual field of Sustainable Development. Based on a major international forum held in Rome in 2008, this volume brings together leading climate change experts to engage with the climate change discourse as it shifts from mitigation to adaptation, with particular attention to the urban environment. In doing so, it provides important insights into how to deal with the first crossroad, by achieving the second. It represents a new generation of thinking involving not only science, but the broad array of fields that must be called upon to effectively address the global climate crisis: from ecological science to political science; from economics to philosophy to architecture; and from public health to public art. It is a pioneering effort to broaden the discursive field, and is likely to remain a landmark study on the subject for a generation.

Download or read book Nordic participation in global and regional climate initiatives written by and published by Nordic Council of Ministers. This book was released on 2017-12-04 with total page 43 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, global cooperative action and climate initiatives by non-state actors have proliferated greatly, and diverse actors from Nordic countries are active participants in this development. This report provides an overview of the Global Climate Action Agenda initiatives and maps out the various global and regional initiatives where Nordic actors, such as cities, regions, businesses, academia and governments are participating. The mapping includes also individual commitments from Nordic actors such as cities and regions. In addition to providing an overview of current Nordic participation, the project highlights important cooperative climate initiatives, which Nordic countries could consider joining in the future. The overview and mapping provide valuable information for the Nordic countries, and helps to enhance the visibility of Nordic involvement in global climate action.

Download or read book The Urban Climate Challenge written by Craig Johnson and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2015-02-20 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing upon a variety of empirical and theoretical perspectives, The Urban Climate Challenge provides a hands-on perspective about the political and technical challenges now facing cities and transnational urban networks in the global climate regime. Bringing together experts working in the fields of global environmental governance, urban sustainability and climate change, this volume explores the ways in which cities, transnational urban networks and global policy institutions are repositioning themselves in relation to this changing global policy environment. Focusing on both Northern and Southern experience across the globe, three questions that have strong bearing on the ways in which we understand and assess the changing relationship between cities and global climate system are examined. The Urban Climate Challenge will be of interest to scholars of urban climate policy, global environmental governance and climate change. It will be of interest to readers more generally interested in the ways in which cities are now addressing the inter-related challenges of sustainable urban growth and global climate change. Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 of this book are freely available as downloadable Open Access PDFs under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/tandfbis/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781138776883_oachapter11.pdf Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 of this book are freely available as downloadable Open Access PDFs under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/tandfbis/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781138776883_oachapter9.pdf

Download or read book Nordic Approaches to Climate Related Human Mobility written by Miriam Cullen and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2024-06-20 with total page 162 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Academic discussion of climate‐related human mobility has understandably focused on the places where people are especially vulnerable to climate‐related harm: the Global South. Yet, the unique biophysical, legal and socio‐political characteristics of the Nordic region, as well as its roles as both ‘home’ and ‘host’ to climate‐related mobilities, justify its independent attention. Filling this lacuna, this collection is the first to address climate‐related human mobility in the Nordic region. It is a timely and much needed collection, which brings together leading and emerging voices from both academia and practice in a single volume, spanning policy and geographical breadth. Its chapters cover both regional approaches to the global phenomenon of climate mobility, such as the traditional role of the Nordic states as norm entrepreneurs and their representation in multilateral fora, and on‐the‐ground climate impacts unique to this region and their localised responses. Case studies include judicial decision‐making as it relates to climate‐related migration, insights into the local communication of climate risk, changes to Nordic development and climate policy, as well as climate‐related mobilities of Nordic Indigenous Peoples. This volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of disaster and climate studies, as well as climate‐related mobility, migration and displacement.