Go to content

Nordic Toolbox for a Just Green Transition

This is how policymakers can develop a vision

Draw inspiration from real-life examples of countries and regions that have created a vision. We also highlight an interesting tool that can help to prepare and coordinate co-creation processes.

EXAMPLE: Nordic Vision 2030

Location

Nordic Region

Description

In June 2019, the Ministers for Nordic Cooperation agreed on a common vision to guide Nordic cooperation until 2030, entitled the Nordic Vision 2030. The prime ministers of the Nordic countries adopted the vision as a new strategic document in August 2019.
The Nordic Vision 2030 defines the goal of the Nordic Region being the most sustainable and integrated world region by 2030. It lays out three strategic priorities: a green Nordic Region, a competitive Nordic Region and a socially sustainable Nordic Region.
In November 2020, an action plan for the years 2021-2024 was adopted. It defines 12 subgoals tied to the three strategic priorities, as well as indicators to measure progress. 

Outcome

All activities and work by the Nordic Council of Ministers are designed to contribute to achieving the Nordic Vision. Nordic institutions and organisations have aligned their work to the strategic priority areas. Budgetary decisions at Nordic level are also driven by the Nordic Vision and the strategic priorities. 
The Nordic Statistics Database offers a series of indicators to help measure progress on the Nordic Vision. A mid-term evaluation of the action plan in 2022 concluded that the Nordic Council of Ministers has delivered concrete results but also offered recommendations on how to bolster efforts to achieve the vision. 

Read more

Nordic Statistics Database with indicators related to the Nordic Vision.

 

EXAMPLE: Strategy of the National Commission on Sustainable Development 2022-2030

Location

Finland

Description

Finland’s National Commission on Sustainable Development adopted a new strategy for sustainable development in March 2022. It is entitled “A prosperous and globally responsible Finland that protects the carrying capacity of nature”. The strategy is designed to provide a framework to ensure policy coherence in the work of various administrative branches and stakeholders. 
The strategy defines six priority areas for change, each with a set of concrete objectives and measures to bring about change. Those priority areas include, for example, education, competence and sustainable lifestyles, as well as food systems that promote wellbeing. The strategy also includes five cross-cutting principles to guide implementation of the strategy, including the principles that no one should be left behind and facilitation of the inclusion and participation of diverse social actors. 
Stakeholders can contribute to achieving the goals defined in the strategy by making public commitments on the Commitment2050 website. The website encourages organisations, companies and individuals to describe concrete ideas and goals for sustainable development. 

Outcome

To date, more than 3,100 commitments have been registered on the website, in relation to nutrition, lifestyle, the Green Deal and more. A mid-term review of the strategy and its impacts will be carried out in 2025.

Read more

Commitment 2050 website, by the Finnish Commission for Sustainable Development Finland.

EXAMPLE: Sustainable Iceland – Iceland’s strategy for sustainable development until 2030

Location

Iceland 

Description 

In 2022, the government of Iceland established a formal cooperation platform for sustainable development called Sustainable Iceland. It includes a Sustainability Council composed of around 80 members, including the Prime Minister, representatives of the national government and municipalities, members of the Icelandic parliament, social partners and civil society organisations. The participation of a broad range of stakeholders is intended to ensure that the sustainability work is firmly grounded in society.  
Sustainable Iceland shall accelerate Iceland’s work on sustainable development, well-being and the just transition. The initiative has the mandate to formulate a sustainability strategy, to propose indicators to measure progress, to strengthen multinational cooperation and to engage a broad range of stakeholders in the process. Indeed, seven open consultation meetings have been organised throughout Iceland to discuss sustainable development with the public. 

Outcome

In 2024, the government approved a strategy for sustainable development which had been developed by the Sustainability Council, based on broad stakeholder engagement. The strategy includes a vision for the year 2030, stating that Iceland shall have implemented the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals in that year and that just transition principles will be taken into consideration in all planning, including fiscal decision-making. Iceland shall boast a strong welfare system, competitive economy and green solutions in 2030.
The aim is for all of government and all of society to contribute to reaching those goals. In November 2024, the Icelandic government will host an open symposium to present the policy to all interested stakeholders and discuss how to accelerate progress.

Read more

Information about Sustainable Iceland is available on Government of Iceland's website.
The strategy of Sustainable Iceland is available here (in Icelandic, English translation forthcoming) (PDF).

EXAMPLE: Everyone can flourish – a new vision for Åland 

Location

Åland

Description

In 2014, Åland’s government and parliament agreed on the goal of Åland becoming a fully sustainable society by 2051. In 2016, all residents of Åland were invited to co-create a vision to guide the process. 
A total of 96 individuals participated in workshops and developed a draft vision for Åland. Based on that vision, an expert panel proposed strategic development goals for 2030. All residents of Åland were invited to attend open meetings and discuss the draft vision and proposed strategic goals. Based on those discussions, the draft vision and goals were finalised. 
In 2016, the Bärkraft Åland network was founded. It consists of various stakeholders, including representatives from government, civil society associations, municipality representatives, artists, the business sector and young people. The network underpins and coordinates the process of implementing the vision. The network is open to all interested individuals and organisations.

Outcome

The Council for Development and Sustainability, which is part of Bärkraft Åland, decided on the final wording, including the slogan that “Everyone can flourish in a sustainable society on the islands of peace” and seven strategic development goals in June 2016. In 2021 and 2022, the goals were further refined into subgoals and indicators to measure progress. During the last eight years, the vision and strategic goals have been implemented throughout society, with broad engagement and the involvement of diverse stakeholders and citizens.

Read more

Information about the vision on Bärkraft Ålands's website.
The development of the vision and the strategic goals (in Swedish) in the "Utvecklings- och hållbarhetsagenda" by Bärkraft Åland.

TOOL: X-Curve – a sensemaking tool to foster collective narratives on system change

Author or Publisher

DRIFT and EIT Climate-KIC Transitions Hub 

Year of publication 

2022 

Description

This booklet provides ideas and step-by-step guidance on how to prepare and coordinate co-creation processes that will raise awareness and help to develop joint visions for change. Many of the ideas and recommendations given in the booklet may help to organise workshops and discussions in order to develop visions for the green transition with a range of stakeholder groups. 

Read more

More information, the booklet, a webinar on the method, and information on the tool's applications are available on X-CURVE's page on Transitions Hub's website.
Nordregio I www.nordregio.org/publications