Dagfinn Høybråten

Now and again we need to pause for a moment, to remind ourselves why we work on issues like sustainable development and green transition.

Why do we work on implementing the Paris agreement, why do we work towards global sustainability goals and Agenda 2030? Why do we raise these issues when we make speeches? Why do we gather at major international conferences and ministerial meetings where energy, climate and environment top the agenda?

There is really only one answer. We do it for our children, our grandchildren and future generations. We do it because we want to pass on to our descendants a better world.

It is a good idea to keep this thought in mind, as the time approaches for important international high-level meetings, this time in the Nordic countries. On 21-25 May, energy ministers from the world’s most influential countries will gather in the Øresund region for the 9th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9) and Third Mission Innovation (MI3) meeting, two major international forums for co-operation aimed at pushing forward the transition to sustainable energy.

In parallel with the ministerial meetings, Nordic Clean Energy Week (NCEW) in Copenhagen and Malmö will feature a variety of events with green energy solutions as their common theme.

There is really only one answer. We do it for our children, our grandchildren and future generations. We do it because we want to pass on to our descendants a better world.

The Nordic Council of Ministers is co-hosting the arrangements. Co-hosting is the natural thing to do: working towards a greener future is one of the cornerstones of Nordic co-operation, and the idea of sustainability lies in our DNA.

International comparisons show that the Nordic region is at the forefront of green energy and we see an increasing demand for Nordic solutions elsewhere in the world. During NCEW week we will present several Nordic approaches to sustainable development. NCEW gives us an opportunity to showcase the unique energy co-operation we have in the Nordic region, but it also gives the Nordic region an opportunity to gain input from the rest of the world.

The strong focus on sustainable energy during this week is both important and relevant. Energy is one of the main keys to open a greener future. Not that we can forget other sectors. If we are to keep our promises under the Paris agreement and reach the global sustainability targets by 2030, we need to include the entire palette of sustainable production and consumption. The concept of sustainability has to pervade work in all sectors.

We are doing this today in Nordic co-operation. We have launched the initiative we call Generation 2030, an emphasis that links up every aspect of our work- aimed at assisting the Nordic countries in achieving the goals of Agenda 2030.

All of this we do with a strong focus on the future. We do it for our own sakes, but above all we do it for our children and grandchildren.

When it comes down to it, we are all Generation 2030.

Dagfinn Høybråten
Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers