104 News
Towards a Just Green Transition: 10 Key messages for Nordic policymakers
To meet climate goals, the Nordic countries have committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by or before 2050. While this transition is essential, it also brings significant economic and social implications for regions and communities across the Nordic Region. This policy brief presents key insights from two research projects carried out by Nordregio between 2021 and 2025: Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG) and Not (Just) a Green Transition (NJUST). Both projects were conducted on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers and examine how the green transition can be designed and implemented in a socially and regionally fair and inclusive way. Drawing on economic modelling, survey data, stakeholder interviews, and focus group discussions, the brief outlines ten findings on public perceptions, regional disparities, job quality, and policy design. It also offers pointers to further material available in the Nordic Toolbox for a Just Green Transition, a practical resource to support policymakers in developing climate policies that are inclusive, place-sensitive, and broadly supported. 10 Key messages outlined in the policy brief include: This publication is part of the “Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG)” project. The project analyses how the Nordic countries can accelerate the green transition towards a climate-neutral economy. Drawing from research findings in EnIGG and “Not (Just) a Green Transition (NJUST)”, the policy brief summarises ten key insights from this research, focusing on the social and economic impacts of the green transition and how to ensure that no one is left behind.
2025 June
- Policy brief
- Nordic Region
- Green transition
Implementing missions in Nordic regions
This policy brief aims to shed some light on the mission’s approach, specifically within innovation policy, and how it is interpreted and implemented at different territorial levels. Mission-oriented innovation policies (MOIP) have gained traction in academia and policy in recent years as a possible means to set the directionality of collective efforts and accelerate transformative change around some of today’s grand societal challenges. This policy brief presents the academic debate around the territorial dimensions of MOIPs, followed by a brief discussion of how MOIPs have been adopted so far at the supra-national, national and sub-national levels. More specifically, a snapshot of the innovation policy landscape and the degree of penetration of mission and transformative approaches in Denmark, Finland and Sweden is presented. Furthermore, the interpretation and adoption of missions at the regional level are discussed based on the results of three Nordic case studies, including Northern Jutland (DK), Ostrobothnia (FI) and Västerbotten (SE). The final section discusses the implications of adopting MOIPs and provides a list of recommendations for Nordic regions.
2025 February
- Policy brief
- Nordic Region
- Governance
- Green transition
- Regional innovation
Regional economic effects of the green transition in the Nordic Region
This report provides insights into the regional economic effects of the green transition across the Nordic countries. Through a series of country- and sector-specific chapters by Nordic experts, the report explores the regional challenges and opportunities associated with advancing the green transition within key sectors and achieving ambitious climate goals in the Nordic Region. Key issues covered include analyses of the economic shifts in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, oil and gas, and green industries, examining how these changes affect labor markets, regional economies, and national strategies. Questions addressed include: This report is a source of inspiration for policymakers, regional planners, researchers, industry leaders, and anyone interested in understanding the socio-economic dimensions of the green transition in the Nordic Region. It offers practice-based perspectives into addressing the challenges of decarbonisation while fostering regional development and inclusivity.
2024 December
- Report
- Nordic Region
- Green transition
Nordic Toolbox for a Just Green Transition
The green transition involves different economic, social and territorial impacts that have been explored in the four year research project “Not Just a Green Transition – Examining the path towards a socially just green transition in the Nordic Region” (short name: NJUST). The result is the Nordic Toolbox for a Just Green Transition, which contributes to a transition towards a climate neutral Nordic Region that is socially just. The comprehensive and interactive toolbox offers guidance for Nordic policymakers to navigate challenges, listen to those affected, and get inspired. The toolbox highlights six priority areas for enabling a just green transition, and offers policy memos from four socially at-risk groups: older adults, youth, people with disabilities and those at risk of unemployment. Through practical tools and examples, a structured checklist, policymakers can gain insights into how to take action for a transition that is not only green – but equitable too. The checklist for policymakers, which guides you through the necessary steps to ensure fairness in the green transition, has been translated into the Nordic languages and can be downloaded as one-pagers here: Finnish checklistIcelandic checklistSwedish checklist We want your feedback! Answer this short survey with your thoughts and feedback on the Toolbox.
2024 November
- Report
- Nordic Region
- Green transition
- Sustainable development