Climate and Energy Strategy for the County of Norrbotten 2020–2024

Home , Boden Municipality, Norrbotten, Norrbotten County

Climate and energy strategy for the county of Norrbotten 2020–2024

Objectives for 2045

MED sikte mot.. skrev i svenska. With? Title Climate and energy strategy for the county of Norrbotten 2020–2024 Photographs Johnér, Mostphotos Authors Ylva Sardén, Ida Heintz, Paulina Henriksson Contact person Sophie Forsberg Johansson County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, 971 86 Luleå Contact information +46 (0)10-225 50 00, [email protected] www.lansstyrelsen.se Report number 7/2019 ISSN 0283-9636

2 Foreword Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. What was once true of yesterday is not the case today and especially not tomorrow. Therefore, we must be responsive, alert and flexible so that we dare to prioritise, also when conditions change, and we shall adapt the society to the future.

The climate issue is of course extensive and complicated, but it also presents opportunities to develop solutions for energy and climate change adaptation that can contribute to both sustainable development and economic growth. In addition, we have the opportunity to discuss and coordinate on issues that have often been seen as opposites. At the same time, the climate goal has a deadline and must be prioritised since the reality is that the problem is rapidly reaching a point where the effects of emissions will be of a lasting or irreversible nature. This means that if we take too long discussing and coordina- ting without getting down to action, stopping all forms of emissions will no longer make a difference.

The aim of Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy is to keep the increase of the earth’s average temperature to well below two degrees. To achieve this, we are adopting the same goal set at national level - to have no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, everything else would mean shifting the responsibility to someone else.

There are great opportunities to change society’s energy supply and to use the earth’s resources both more efficiently and sustainably in the long-term. An important objective of Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy is to identify and make the most of Norrbotten’s unique conditions in order to contribute to the transformation of the energy system and to the reduction of climate emissions through sustainable business development.

Another tool in this work consists of the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. The global goals balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic dimension, the social dimension and the environmental dimension. In 2018, the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County signed a declaration of intent in which, together with Region Norrbotten and the county’s municipalities, it undertakes to inform, promote and contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030.

September 30th, 2019, Luleå

Björn O. Nilsson Nils-Olov Lindfors Country Governor of Norrbotten County Regional Council, Region Norrbotten (C)

Vision 2045 Norrbotten is a competitive, sustainable and attractive county where resource-efficient goods and services form the basis for growth. The activities in the county do not contribute to the increase in global temperatures and the energy supply is based on renewable sources.

3 Table of Contents

Foreword...... 3

Summary...... 6

Introduction...... 8 Zero must mean zero...... 8 Collaboration for effective joint work...... 9 Limitations...... 9 Norrbotten: part of the world...... 11 Agenda 2030 and the Global Sustainable Development Goals...... 11 Goals for the Swedish climate and energy policy...... 12 National and regional strategies and plans...... 12 The situation in Norrbotten...... 14 The level of knowledge about climate change...... 14 The development of greenhouse gas emissions, energy production and energy use...... 14 What have we arrived at?...... 18 Strategic orientations...... 19 Focus and policy areas...... 20 Appendices...... 34 Appendix 1: Method description...... 34 Appendix 2: Summary of results from the workshops...... 36 Appendix 3: Environmental quality, climate and energy goals...... 38 Appendix 4: National and regional strategies/plans...... 40 Appendix 5: Different principles for resource use...... 44

Summary The climate and energy strategy shall serve as guidance and support in order to develop and implement measures to achieve Sweden’s climate and energy goals. It shall also serve as a platform for cooperation in energy and climate issues between the county’s actors and highlight a common direction for the work. Furthermore, the strategy shall contribute to the alignment of measures and plans towards the same goals as well as provide support for priorities.

The strategy shall be a tool for integrating climate and energy issues into the regional development and growth work, in environmental impact assessments, environmental inspection work, community planning and in the work on an infrastructure that promotes sustainability.

The aim of Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy to keep the increase of the earth’s average temperature to well below two degrees. To achieve this, the same goal that applies at national level has been adopted - no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Norrbotten has also adopted the national level goals in terms of energy usage. Energy use shall be 50 percent more efficient by 2030 compared to 2005, and the county’s electricity production shall be 100 percent renewable by 2040.

Strategic orientations and focus and policy areas Focus and priorities are required in order for the work aimed at achieving the climate and energy goals to be effective and effectual. One way to achieve this is to firstly prioritise efforts that reduce energy use, then efforts that improve the efficiency of energy use and, finally, efforts that ensure that the energy used comes from renewable sources.

The dialogues and discussions that form the basis of the strategy have clarified a large number of areas that need to be covered and highlighted in order for Norrbotten to be in a position to contribute to meeting the national and international climate and energy goals. The starting point for the work and focus areas has consisted of the five sectors that together form part of the Swedish Energy Agency’s long-term efforts to achieve resource-efficient energy use. Specific policy areas have been identified for Norrbotten on the basis of these, see below.

In addition to the policy areas below, important strategic orientations have been identified, such as standardisation in relation to the need for flexibility and the need to find ways to communicate sustainability.

Fossil-free transport

• To promote the use and development of coordinated transport in order to streamline the overall need for transport. • To work to create nodes for mixed loading, intermodality and community service. • To promote the development of fossil-free fuels from regional residue resources. • To promote the use of fossil fuel for aviation. • To promote investment in railway infrastructure, e.g. Norrbotniabanan. • To promote the opportunities for shipping to operate as an attractive means of transport. • To promote investment in pedestrian, bicycle and public transport. • To create a countywide infrastructure for renewable fuels and charging points.

World class production

• To work to highlight Norrbotten as a demonstrator of innovations and new technologies. • To promote the establishment of energy-intensive industry in the county.

6 • To promote increased circular thinking in terms of raw materials and resources. • To support the work to phase out fossil energy use in industry. • To support increased regional production of bio-based fuels and products from forestry and agriculture.

Future consumption and trade

• To work with communication and labelling in order to help consumers make sustainable choices. • To increase the use of public procurement as a driving force for the development of sustainable and preferably locally sourced products and services. • To act to facilitate the establishment of companies and activities that contribute to increasing the level of self-sufficiency and sustainability in society. • To promote the development of circular products, services and business models.

Resource-efficient construction

• To utilise comprehensive planning in order to localise essential societal interests so that energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions are minimised. • To utilise sustainable regional and local building materials to a greater extent. • To work with life-cycle perspectives and recycling to a greater extent. • To work for the labelling and certification of both buildings as well as building materials.

Flexible and robust energy system

• To work to optimise energy quality in relation to use. • To promote the development of smart systems in order to control energy use in buildings as well as in the transport system and industry. • To develop methods and tools to highlight the consumption of energy and the effects of different choices, such as emissions and origin. • To work to facilitate the establishment of production plants for renewable energy.

7 Introduction Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. What was once true of yesterday is not the case today and especially not tomorrow. The climate issue is of course extensive and complicated, but it also presents opportunities to develop solutions for energy and climate change adaptation that can contribute to both sustainable development and economic growth. There are great opportunities to change society’s energy supply and to use the earth’s resources both more efficiently and sustainably in the long-term.

An important objective of Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy is to identify and make the most of Norrbotten’s unique conditions in order to contribute to the transformation of the energy system and to the reduction of climate emissions through sustainable business development.

Zero must mean zero The aim of Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy to keep the increase of the earth’s average temperature to well below two degrees. To achieve this, the same goal that applies at national level has been adopted - no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Quite simply, zero emissions means zero emissions, exactly as the Climate Policy Council made clear in its first report1. This should also apply to Norrbotten, as everything else would shift the responsibility to someone else. It is important to remember that negative emissions cannot be relied upon to any great extent. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced, and the accompanying measures available can only cover 15 percent of the emissions from 1990. Accompanying measures are considered necessary in order to manage emissions from the forestry and agricultural sectors. Net zero emissions only include the territorial emissions, i.e. the emissions generated in the country as opposed to consumption-based emissions. Consumption-based emissions of greenhouse gases also include emissions abroad caused by Swedish consumption. This is regardless of where and when in the production process emissions occur.2 Norrbotten has chosen to only account for territorial emissions in this strategy, which means that the county’s actors will primarily take responsibility for what is under their control, i.e. the production and emissions generated here. At the same time, it is important to remember that Norrbotten is not isolated from the rest of the world, and that the climate issue is global. Reducing emissions here, only for them to increase elsewhere, is not a sensible way to meet the challenge.

Greenhouse gas emissions are largely created through energy Climate goal use. Therefore, energy and climate are often mentioned Sweden shall have no net together. Norrbotten is also adopting the national goals of 50 emissions of greenhouse gases percent more efficient energy use by 2030 compared to 2005, to the atmosphere by 2045. and 100 percent renewable electricity generation by 2040. Energy goals The climate and energy strategy shall serve as guidance Sweden’s energy use shall be and support in order to develop and implement measures 50 percent more efficient by 2030 to achieve our climate and energy goals. It shall also serve compared to 2005, expressed in terms as a platform for cooperation in energy and climate issues of energy supplied in relation to gross between the county’s actors and highlight a common direc- domestic product (GDP). tion for the work. Furthermore, the strategy shall contribute to the alignment of measures and plans towards the same Sweden’s electricity production shall goals as well as provide support for priorities in the work. be 100 percent renewable by 2040.

1 The Climate Policy Council’s Annual Report 2019. Climate Policy Council. 8 2 In-depth analysis of Swedish climate statistics 2018. Environmental Protection Agency. Collaboration for effective joint work The climate and energy strategy has been jointly developed by the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, Region Norrbotten and Norrbotten Municipalities. The strategy has been decided upon by the County Administrative Board and Region Norrbotten, and shall serve as a joint strategy, with goals and focus for the continued climate and energy efforts within our own activities, and in collaboration with other actors in the county.

The County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County has been process leader for the efforts to develop the new climate and energy strategy for Norrbotten following the commission from the government, with a long-term perspective, to promote, coordinate and lead the regional work on implementing the government’s policy on energy transition and reduced climate impact.

Work methods and methodological choices were implemented by a working group consisting of representatives from the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, Region Norrbotten and Norr- botten Municipalities. More information about method and results can be found in Appendix 1 and 2.

Continued work The strategy aims for Norrbotten to contribute to the achievement of the national goals by 2045, but to allow us to properly address our changing environment, it must be updated and revised during the year after each ordinary Swedish parliamentary election.

The County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County will continue to lead, promote, coordinate and facilitate the transition to a carbon-neutral and fossil-free Norrbotten in cooperation with Region Norr- botten, which is regional development coordinator. The business sector and associations contribute to the work by means of their input. The municipalities define the work in their planning processes, among other things, and through information, education, purchasing, etc.

Limitations The strategy focuses on reduced climate emissions and an energy transition consisting of an increased share of renewable energy from a regional perspective, and it therefore does not include the effects of a changing climate. However, efforts to reduce climate emissions may have synergies with the efforts to adapt to a changing climate, and there are clear benefits from managing these areas when integrated into community planning. Therefore, some consequences are described as a result of the ongoing changes.

It should also be noted that since the strategy is primarily aimed at an energy transition with an increased proportion of renewable energy and reduced energy use, any promotion of non-renewable energy sources, such as nuclear power, peat, coal, oil or natural gas, is not addressed.

It is a priority to highlight and focus on important areas. This means that some areas will be outside the scope of the strategy. However, if an area is not included, it does not mean that it has been disregarded, only that it is not a focus area of this particular strategy.

The purpose of the strategy is to achieve the energy and climate goals, and the priority is not to create negative emissions3. Recovery of carbon dioxide in industrial processes (carbon capture and utilisation, CCU) and geological carbon dioxide storage (carbon capture and storage, CCS) where carbon dioxide is in the longer term reconstituted into minerals and rocks, can make a contribution to achieving zero fossil emissions. However, only the capture and storage of biogenic carbon dioxide (bio-CCU/ CCS) is counted as negative emissions. The climate goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2045 compared to 1990. The remaining emissions are then to be found in land use and agricultural land, therefore, all other emissions should be zero. The uptake of carbon dioxide in forest and soil is already included in the goal.

3 Negative emissions means that the emissions are less than zero, i.e. the content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is lowered. 9

Norrbotten: part of the world An important platform for Sweden’s climate efforts is the Paris Agreement, which was ratified in September 2016 by the EU’s Member States. The Paris Agreement is linked to the UNFCCC Climate Convention, which is an international agreement under the UN. Of the 197 countries that are parties to the Convention, 194 have signed the Paris Agreement. In January 2019, 184 of these had ratified the agreement and had therefore undertaken a commitment to follow it. Some of the key points of the Paris Agreement are as follows:

• the global temperature increase should be kept well below two degrees and efforts should be made to limit it to 1.5 degrees. • countries should gradually intensify their commitments and renew or update these every five years. • industrialised countries should provide support to developing countries.

The long-term goal of the EU’s climate policy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 percent by 2050. Work on developing a vision of net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 is ongoing with ”A clean earth for everyone”4. In the short term, EU greenhouse gas emissions shall be reduced by 20 percent by 2020 (compared with 1990), combined with 20 percent of EU energy then being renewable and an increase in energy efficiency of 20 percent. By 2030, the goals are 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, at least 32 percent renewable energy at EU level, as well as at least 32.5 percent increased energy efficiency by 2030.

Agenda 2030 and the Global Sustainable Development Goals In autumn 2015, the UN Member States adopted the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030, see Figure 1. The agenda consists of 17 global goals and 169 interim goals for sustainable development. Agenda 2030 is an action plan for people, the planet and our prosperity. It is, by and large, a development agenda within the limits of the planet.

Agenda 2030 aims to eradicate poverty and hunger, realise human rights for all, achieve equality and empowerment for all women and girls, and ensure lasting protection for the planet and its natural resources. The global goals are integrated and indivisible. They balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic dimension, the social dimension and the environmental dimension. Coordination between countries, community levels, the business sector and civil society is required in order to achieve the goals in the agenda.

It is Sweden’s ambition to be a leader in the implementation of Agenda 2030 - both at home and when it comes to contributing to the global implementation of the agenda. In June 2018, the government decided on Sweden’s action plan for Agenda 20305. In the action plan, the government describes a number of key measures for sustainable development that are expected to produce results and effects in the coming years.

In 2018, the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County signed a declaration of intent in which, together with Region Norrbotten and the county’s municipalities, it undertakes to inform, promote and contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030.

4 A clean earth for everyone - A European strategic long-term vision for a strong, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy. European Commission 2018. 5 Action Plan Agenda 2030, 2018-2020. Government Offices 2018.

Figure 1: Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Goals for the Swedish climate and energy policy

The climate and energy policy in Sweden have been further defined by setting environmental quality, climate and energy goals. The environmental quality goals include climate and energy goals to some extent, but the actual climate goals and the energy agreement came into existence later, in order to supplement within the specific areas. The national environmental, climate and energy goals are described in Appendix 3.

National and regional strategies and plans There are a number of national and regional strategies and plans that have played an important role in the process of developing a climate and energy strategy for Norrbotten County. These are briefly described below, and a further description is provided in Appendix 4.

Sectoral strategies for energy efficiency improvements This is a long-term assignment that the Swedish Energy Agency is working on, together with representatives from the business sector and the authorities affected. The main aim of the sectoral strategies is to achieve the energy agreement’s goal of 50 percent more efficient energy use by 2030. Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy is based on these sectoral strategies.

Road maps for fossil-free competitiveness Within Fossil-free Sweden,6 13 industry-wide road maps for fossil-free competitiveness have been drawn up and presented to the government. Combined, the road maps provide an overview of what a fossil-free Sweden might look like, and how it can create competitive advantages for the Swedish business sector in an international market.

Regional development strategy With the regional development strategy (RUS) as the starting point, Region Norrbotten coordinates

6 The government initiated Fossil-free Sweden ahead of the climate meeting in Paris 2015 with the goal that Sweden should become one of the world’s first fossil-free welfare countries

12 the work of the county’s regional development. The vision is for Norrbotten to become Sweden’s most welcoming and innovatively-thinking county. With a focus on sustainability, gender equality, equal opportunities and diversity at all times.

Together for the future of Norrbotten Together for the future of Norrbotten is a regional action programme to enhance the conditions to achieve the climate, energy and environmental goals. The county administrative boards shall develop, coordinate and implement regional action programmes with broad acceptance in the county.

In summary, there are a number of plans and strategies at international, national and regional level that have played an important role in the process to develop the climate and energy strategy for Norrbotten County (see Figure 2).

Globally A clean earth for everyone

European level

Road maps for fossil-free Sectoral strategies for energy Nationally competitiveness e ciency improvements

Regional development strategy Climate and energy strategy

Regionally Action plan to strengthen climate and environmental perspectives in Norrbotten's Together for the future regional development of Norrbotten strategy

Figure 2: International, national and regional strategies and plans that have played an important role in the process of developing a climate and energy strategy for Norrbotten County.

13 The situation in Norrbotten

The level of knowledge about climate change

During the 20th century, the global average temperature has increased by around 1.0 degrees, which in the context of the climate can be considered a large and rapid increase. Other signs of change include glacial retreat, reduction of Arctic ice cover, rising sea levels, and changing precipitation patterns. How the climate in Norrbotten County develops depends on the use of fossil fuels in the future, i.e. how much the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases.7

The annual average temperature for Norrbotten County is expected to increase by between 3.5 and 6.5 degrees by the end of the century. The warming increases the length of the vegetation period. The annual average precipitation is expected to increase by between 20 percent and 40 percent. The largest increase in precipitation takes place in the mountains. The heavy rainfall also increases and the maximum daily rainfall can increase by approx. 15-25 percent.8

The development of greenhouse gas emissions, energy production and energy use

Norrbotten is a large, sparsely populated, cold and heavily industrialised county that is rich in natural resources, which naturally affects patterns of emissions, energy production and energy use. Norrbotten is also a county where new innovations are born and this is likely to affect the nature of emissions, energy production and the use of energy in the future.

The total greenhouse gas emissions in Norrbotten amounted to just over 5.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2016, which corresponds to 11 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden. Norrbotten accounts for a large proportion of Sweden’s greenhouse gas emissions due to the location of the steel industry SSAB and the mining company LKAB in the county. This explains the county’s large proportion of industrial sector emissions.

Figure 3 shows the development over time regarding greenhouse gas emissions for the various sectors in Norrbotten. Greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 9 percent since 1990, and we face a major challenge to achieve the goal of zero net emissions by 2045. In the same period, transport sector emissions have decreased by 32 percent, although we still have a long way to go to reach a 70 percent reduction by 2030. A reduction of emissions from industry can be seen for 2015. This is explained by the halt to production of substances at SSAB Luleå’s plants for almost 15 weeks (1 June to 10 Septem- ber) due to extensive renovation work.9

7 Future climate in Norrbotten County − according to RCP scenarios, SMHI 2015. 8 Future climate in Norrbotten County − according to RCP scenarios, SMHI 2015. 9 Environmental Report 2015. SSAB Luleå 2015.

14 Greenhouse gas emissions

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Electricity and heating Industry (energy + processes) Transport Work machinery Product use Agriculture Waste and waste water

Figure 3: Greenhouse gas emissions in Norrbotten 1990–2016 (National Emissions Database 2019).

The total end use of energy in the county amounted to 30.8 TWh in 2016. Figure 4 Shows the distribution of energy use between different fuel categories. In Norrbotten, energy use consists largely (62 percent) of fossil fuels such as oil, peat, coal and coke, as well as the fossil part of the waste category. The extensive use of coal and coke in the county can be traced to the steel industry.

Peat and beck oil Waste 2 % 1 % Oil 18 % Residual lyes 23 %

Biofuels 11 %

Biomass fuels Coke and coal 2 % 43 %

Figure 4: Distribution of energy use between different fuel categories 2016 Norrbotten (Statistics Sweden and LEKS).

15 In addition to the fuels reported in, Figure 4, 7.5 TWh of electricity is used. Norrbotten is a net exporter of electrical energy. Production amounted to 17.4 TWh, while the use as mentioned above was 7.5 TWh. Of the electricity that was generated during 2016, 97 percent came from renewable sources such as water (16 TWh) wind (801 GWh) and solar (1.9 GWh). The remaining 3 percent is generated in cogeneration plants, which mainly use residue energy from industry as input material.

The regional district heating is also produced from waste and residual energy from industries, but also via waste incineration, peat and bio-based fuels, as well as boiler heating with heating oil.

The bar chart below, Figure 5, shows the development over time regarding total energy use in the county, divided into different sectors. The industrial sector accounts for the single largest use. In addition, the residential sector and the transport sector account for the greatest use.

Since 1990, energy use has increased in half of all sectors. Energy use has decreased in agriculture, public sector activities and housing. Between 1990 and 2016, total energy use in the county increased by 40 percent. This was due to the strong growth in the county’s industrial production.

Energy use per sector

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Agriculture, forestry, fishing Industry & construction activity Public sector activities Transport Other services H ous ing

Figure 5: Development over time regarding total energy use 1990–2016 Norrbotten (Statistics Sweden and LEKS)

What have we arrived at? The dialogues and discussions conducted in the county have clarified a large number of areas that need to be covered and highlighted in order for Norrbotten to be in a position to contribute to meeting the national and international climate and energy goals. Some are directly related to the five sectors and focus areas that have been the starting points in the work. The sectors have been identified by the Swedish Energy Agency and partly in their long-term efforts to achieve resource-efficient energy use. These are described in more detail in Appendix 4.

In addition to this, the issue of standardisation in relation to the need for flexibility as well as the need to find ways to communicate sustainability have been identified as strategically important orientations. Below is a discussion of the more general orientations, followed by a discussion of focus and policy areas.

Standardisation and/or flexibility In a changing world, we need to meet future climate and energy challenges by means of a high degree of flexibility. An increased intermittent10 electrification may mean restrictions in the power transmission system, primarily in some connection points, even though there is currently an excess of power in the county. The existing electricity transmission network may need to be expanded and also supplemented with other solutions such as energy storage.

Central functions, such as the availability of electricity to recharge electric vehicles, the function of fuels or the calculation models for the climate impact of food, for example, need to be standardised in order to facilitate the transition that needs to be brought about. This is a challenge that needs to be addressed at a global or national level rather than a regional level, but it is still worth highlighting the discussion as an input to politicians and decision makers.

Guiding principles for resource use One aspect that is a regular subject of discussion with the county’s actors is the use of resources and how it can be optimised from a climate and energy perspective. This is an important issue, and there are a number of different principles and tools that can be valuable to know about. These are briefly listed here, but they are explained and illustrated in more depth in Appendix 5.

• The waste staircase - The EU has decided on a so-called waste hierarchy, or waste staircase, which also governs how waste is handled in Sweden. • Energy quality - The different forms of energy are not equally as usable when it comes to converting energy into a form that we can use. The term energy quality is used to describe the difference in usability. In general, energy with as little environmental impact as possible and as low energy quality as possible should be chosen. • Circular economy - Circular economy is an expression for models that use circular flows instead of linear processes. The circular economy is a remarkably different way of doing business, which forces companies to rethink everything from how they design and manufacture their products to their relationships with customers. • Energy efficiency first - ”Energy efficiency first” is one of the key elements of the energy union in order to ensure a secure, sustainable and competitive energy supply at an affordable price within the EU. • The four-step principle - The four-step principle is the Swedish Transport Administration’s work strategy that is applied to ensure sound resource management, and to ensure that action taken contributes to sustainable societal development.11 • Communicating sustainability - Communicating sustainability is difficult but important. Conscious and genuine work on sustainability can strengthen both the county’s brand and its attractiveness.

10 Irregular and difficult to predict. 11 The four-step principle was launched within the Swedish Road Administration in 1997 as a tool to improve management of the investment funds allocated to the authority. 18 Strategic orientations In order for the work to achieve the climate and energy goals to be effective and effectual, we must dare to focus and prioritise efforts. One way to do this is to firstly prioritise efforts that reduce energy use, then efforts that improve the efficiency of energy use and, finally, efforts that ensure that the energy used comes from renewable sources.

However, this must not mean obstructing new start-ups that increase energy use in the county but reduce global emissions. It is important to remember that Norrbotten is not isolated from the rest of the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, but that everyone shares the responsibility for reducing overall emissions and their consequences. Start-ups in the county must use the best available technology and contribute to meeting the global sustainable development goals.

Energy efficiency Energy efficiency improvements and efficient energy use are important starting points for meeting energy and climate goals. There is a great deal of potential for efficiency improvements, including in the work on physical planning. A more efficient transport system can be promoted by designing the structure of communities to reduce the need for transport while promoting pedestrian, bicycle and public transport. Major efficiency gains are also possible by renovating the older building stock.

Industry is a major user of energy in the county. Naturally there are efficiency improvements to be made, but the large energy users have worked intensively with efficiency improvements in recent years and the assessment is that the efficiency improvement potentials are limited by existing production methods. However, in the case of new start-ups, it is still important to choose as efficient solutions as possible, from both an energy efficiency and an innovation/testing point of view.

Fossil freedom The two main thrusts in the transition to a fossil-free society are electrification and the substitution of fossil fuels and materials with bio-based fuels and materials. Increased electrification also means increased production of fossil-free electricity.

After industry and housing, the transport sector uses the largest share of fossil energy in Norrbotten. This is where there are good opportunities for rapid transition through electrification and the transition to renewable fuels. A basic prerequisite for stimulating the transition to renewable fuels is the availability of well-developed distribution networks of fuel stations and charging stations.

For industry, a number of research projects are being undertaken in order to reduce fossil dependence to make way for other, primarily electricity-based, solutions. Biofuels will be an important substitute for fossil fuels in industrial functions as well. Continued investment in developing and testing new innovations and methods is a competition factor that the county should make use of and develop.

Fossil-free hydrogen production can also provide opportunities in both the industrial and transport sectors.

19 Focus and policy areas Fossil-free transport Our transport activity currently accounts for a significant proportion of the greenhouse gas emissions. The Government’s goal of a 70 percent reduction in emissions between 2010 and 2030 is therefore a challenge that demands commitment and action. At the same time as we need to reduce emissions, accessibility through transport is fundamental to both economic activity and the opportunity for citizens to live a free and active life. Norrbotten is sparsely populated and road traffic is largely necessary for the distribution of products, goods transport, official travel, commuting and leisure activities.

A transition to a fossil-independent transport system by 2030 is a major challenge for Norrbotten. Despite a rapid development in the availability of renewable fuels in recent years, the adaptation of fuels is not considered sufficient on its own to meet the climate goals. Reducing emissions from the transport sector will need greater focus on a number of factors such as to increase the share of renew able fuels, increase electrification, reduce transport needs, change travel habits, and streamline and optimise transport, as well as the use of existing infrastructure.

The regional production and development of biofuels contributes to jobs, fuel supply security and strengthening the links between city and country. According to current forecasts, one fuel will not be sufficient, but a whole range of different complementary fuels will be needed. The availability of the fuels is further addressed in the regional plan for infrastructure for electric vehicles and for renewable fuels12 presented to the government in 2019 together with this strategy.

12 Plan for infrastructure for electric vehicles and renewable fuels in Norrbotten (2019).

20 Passenger transport Among other things, a transport efficient society means a society and transport system where the private car plays a reduced role as a means of transport. It will therefore be important to work on changing the attitudes and behaviour of commuters by, for example, promoting increased travel using public transport. At the same time, civil society actors need to enable and facilitate travel by public transport using both road and rail. For example, car sharing means savings for the individual as well as for society, reduced climate and environmental impact, reduced emissions of air pollutants and increased access to work, services and leisure activities for rural residents. There are several positive effects for the environment, climate and public health from increased walking and cycle commuting to work, school and leisure activities. It is therefore important to promote this where the commuting distance is reasonable.

Electrification of the vehicle fleet for passenger transport (electric cars, buses and other plug-in electric vehicles) has great potential to reduce both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the number of electric vehicles in Norrbotten is small13, but there are good opportunities for electric car sales to gather pace in the coming years. Crucial to the transition to electrified vehicles is the availability of charging infrastructure. In the current situation, the number of charging points is increasing rapidly, but a combination of several different charging infrastructure solutions will probably be required. Norrbotten is currently well prepared for electric cars since the use of electrical sockets for engine and passenger compartment heaters is common, which means that an electricity transmission infrastructure capable of withstanding normal charging is relatively available. Existing electrical sockets for engine heaters in public car parks can be adapted for inclusion in a public charging infrastructure, but if electric vehicles are to become a sustainable and competitive alternative, additional charging infrastructure

13 Vehicles in the counties and municipalities. Traffic Analysis 2019.

21 with higher capacity will be needed, especially along the major transport routes and for important societal functions and destinations. This is covered in the Plan for infrastructure for electric vehicles and renewable fuels in Norrbotten.14

In addition to electrification, biomass fuels are required for the remaining conventional vehicles. The opportunity to refuel renewably is a fundamental prerequisite for Norrbotten to continue to offer attractive living environments.

Digital services can be viewed as a fifth mode of transport for the reduction and streamlining of transport. Digitalisation offers new opportunities to develop solutions that can increase accessibility of work, services and leisure. In addition to reducing energy use and emissions linked to transport, it can free up time, which can be positive from both a business sector perspective and a private life perspective. The county has good prerequisites to further develop the range of services in the business and public sectors, such as e-health and e-service. However, digitalisation requires supplementing infrastructure investments with investments in IT infrastructure and innovative transport solutions, such as systems for car sharing, call-controlled bus services, driverless alternatives as well as coordinated goods logistics.

Goods transport The coordination of goods transport (intermodal solutions15 and combined transport, mixed loading and transfer points) needs to be improved and all types of transport and means of transport need to be used more efficiently. This is a development that is partially ongoing, but which needs to be strengthened and pursued more consistently. Nodes for mixed loading and flexible or mobile service solutions, with collaboration areas and collaboration premises where multiple tasks can be performed simultaneously, can also contribute to streamlining transport and reduce the need for private vehicle traffic.To further enhance the benefit, passenger transport can be coordinated with medical transport or goods deliveries, for example.

Investments in railways and shipping, such as the Norrbotniabanan and Malmporten, are important for our production, both in terms of exporting products and importing goods and raw materials. Trans- porting goods by rail instead of heavy road transport is good from a climate and energy point of view and should be a first choice. Investments in the Norrbotniabanan and Inlandsbanan would unleash the capacity of the railways and thus facilitate major emissions reductions in the transport sector.

Electrification of heavy road transport is an area that should be examined since it could be a complement to the rail traffic in the county. However, heavy road transport is unlikely to change over to electricity as the dominant fuel. Here, continued energy efficiency improvements and various types of fossil-free fuels such as hydrogen, biodiesel (locally produced) will continue to be a cornerstone for sustainable heavy road transport, exactly as for existing passenger car fleets.

Prioritised efforts in fossil-free transport In Norrbotten, the following efforts are prioritised:

14 Plan for infrastructure for electric vehicles and renewable fuels in Norrbotten (2019). 15 Transport of one goods unit that takes place using several types of transport.

22 • To promote the opportunities for shipping to operate as an attractive means of transport. • To promote investment in pedestrian, bicycle and public transport. • To create a countywide infrastructure for renewable fuels and charging points.

World class production Norrbottnian industry consists of a few but very large plants, mainly in the paper, pulp, mining and steel industries, and a large number of small installations such as sawmills and in the engineering industry. When it comes to production in Norrbotten, it should be remembered to include agriculture and other food production.

Industrial sector energy use is high, and its emissions of climate-impacting gases are still at a high level, but they are consistently falling following efficiency improvements and the transition to renew able fuels. The base industry is important for both county and state. A scenario where, for example, the steel industry in the county is forced to close down only to be replaced by production in other countries with less developed efficiency improvements and re-use of resources, would lead to reduced emissions regionally but probably to increased emissions globally, which would be very unfortunate. The future of the industry depends on its ability to develop new processes and production methods, as well as to continuously adapt and innovate by means of investments in new technology. It will be necessary to take advantage of the changes made possible by increased electrification, digitalisation and the continued development of a circular economy, as well as the transition to renewable fuels, in order to meet climate goals but also in order to ensure the county’s future competitiveness.

Climate and energy issues are currently a high priority for the business sector. Several industries are at the leading edge and have developed road maps for fossil-free competitiveness16. Many of the measures identified primarily concern national policies and management control instruments.

Energy efficiency improvements In the shorter term, industry is continuously working on energy and resource efficiency measures. Residual heat and residual energies from the industries are used in district heating production, for example. However, energy still remains, so-called low-value energy for which recycling is not currently profitable. Increased incentives are needed in order to recover more residual energy. Where there are opportunities to use industrial by-products, instead of using virgin material and therefore further contributing to the circular economy, this needs to be developed.

Agriculture and food production are important contributors to a sustainable and viable Norrbotten by means of generating jobs and preserving biodiversity, for example. Norrbotten has a food strategy ”Local food”17 with the vision More Norrbottnian food on our plates. Demand for locally produced raw materials and food is largely governed by consumer choice (see the chapter: Future consumption and trade). In the production phase, work is primarily aimed at efficiency improvements, such as by generating biogas from milk spills at dairies and drainage, for example. However, greenhouse gas emissions are generated from rearing livestock, which are difficult to avoid. For this reason, the national goals allow accompanying measures18 of 15 percent in order to meet net zero emissions. Agriculture currently accounts for a relatively small part of the county’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Increased electrification The base industry is an important part of the solution for climate change adaptation. Partly because it has great opportunities to reduce its own emissions and to be a role model in a fossil-free welfare

16 Fossil-free Sweden 2019. Road maps for fossil-free competitiveness. 17 Norrbotten’s food strategy - Local food 2016-2020. County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, Region Norrbotten, Norrbotten’s Municipalities and the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF) 2016. 18 Accompanying measures may include, for example, an increased carbon sink, carbon capture and storage from the combustion of biofuels or investments in climate projects in other countries. The Climate Policy Council’s Annual Report 2019.

23 society, and partly by providing the conditions for other industries and societal functions with their conversion to fossil-freedom. Norrbotten’s emissions are primarily generated by SSAB’s steel production in Luleå. Together with raw material supplier LKAB and energy company Vattenfall AB, the company has created a consortium whose members work together to develop and commercialise a technology aimed at reducing a significant part of production emissions using hydrogen. However, this adaptation will require large amounts of electricity. These efforts represent an example of why the increased electrification of society is highlighted by many actors as a possible measure to meet the climate goals.

Electrification itself involves an increased need for sustainably produced metals and a fossil-free mining and mineral industry in order to be able to produce batteries, wind turbines, etc., while substantially increasing the need for renewable electricity at the same time (see the chapter: Flexible and robust energy system). At the same time, there are good examples where electrification of mining trucks contributes to reduced energy use, which reduces the need for exhaust gas ventilation for diesel vehicles.19

Research is ongoing into the recycling of carbon dioxide in industrial processes (carbon capture and utilisation, CCU) and geological carbon storage (carbon capture and storage, CCS) in the county, both in academia and at institutions. Knowledge of these processes can strengthen our brand as a county at the leading edge of climate change adaptation.

Bio-based energy The forestry industry also plays an important role in the transition to a fossil-free society since sustainable bio-based fuels and products are in demand as a substitute for fossil fuels and products. The forestry industry is to a large extent already fossil-free, except when it comes to work machinery and transport20. Norrbotten has the prerequisites to increase the production of fuels and products from forestry industry by-products, but it is important to take other interests into account, such as reindeer herding and the tourism industry, as well as to preserve the biodiversity. Biofuels may be an option as a complement to electrification where electricity is not possible, such as in high- temperature processes, for example. There is a risk that there will be competition for biomass raw material when several stakeholders and stakeholder groups seek replacements for their fossil fuels. It is therefore clear that efficient energy use must be the starting point in all sectors.

Priorities for action in World-class production In Norrbotten, the following efforts are prioritised:

• To work to highlight Norrbotten as a demonstrator of innovations and new technologies. • To promote the establishment of energy-intensive industry in the county • To promote increased circular thinking in terms of raw materials and resources. • To support the work to phase out fossil energy use in industry. • To support increased regional production of bio-based fuels and products from forestry and agriculture.

Future consumption and trade Our consumption patterns are a major driving force behind the processes that lead to increased emissions. Change can be brought about through efforts in which information and financial instruments are used to motivate us as consumers to choose alternatives that are sustainable in the long-term. To be able to adapt to sustainable consumption patterns requires education and clear, easily accessible information about products and services.

Society’s business models have long been based on using raw materials to manufacture materials and products that are sold, used and consumed, and then finally discarded.With a growing middle

19 Road map for a competitive and fossil-free mining and mineral industry - Interim report April 2018. SweMin 2018. 20 Road map for fossil-free competitiveness - The forestry industry. Fossil-free Sweden 2018.

24 class with ever increasing consumption, it has become clear that these business models mean that the world’s resources, which are in many cases limited, are not being used in an efficient and sustainable way. There is therefore a need to improve resource utilisation and close the loop of the natural cycle. Society needs to move from a linear to a circular economy.

One way to work with this is, for example, to make the first choice (standard option) more sustainable, which facilitates and increases the opportunity to choose the right one. It can also be a question of making changes in the physical environment in order to facilitate the choice of more environmentally friendly options rather than inferior ones or clarifying information and drawing attention to social norms. Such changes can also contribute to the development goals of an attractive living environment, gender equality and public health.

A circular economy is based on re-using, preparing and viewing waste as a resource - doing more with less. In order to facilitate the transition, there will be a need for changes in several areas. We need product design to take greater account of climate, new business and market models, new ways of organising society, new financing methods and ways of converting waste into resources. Methods for sustainable public procurement are important means of increasing the uptake of products and services with good energy performance. We also need new consumer behaviour, and better coordination between different policy areas.

Locally produced food generates lower emissions of carbon dioxide from transport compared to long- distance alternatives. For this reason, it is desirable to increase the proportion of locally produced food on the plates of Norrbotteners.21 The same reasoning can be applied to other Norrbottnian products, goods and services. Shopping locally and regionally generates jobs in the county and contributes to an attractive living environment, and at the same time it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the reduced need for transport. Rearing livestock generates emissions that are difficult to avoid. Reduced meat consumption would thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meat consumed should be locally produced as far as possible in order to take advantage of the benefits of local and regional agriculture.

21 Norrbotten’s food strategy - Local food 2016-2020. County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, Region Norr- botten, Norrbotten’s Municipalities and the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF) 2016.

25 The work in the areas of consumption and trade is largely a question of increasing resource efficiency and reducing the amount of waste. Compared to residents of other European countries, more Swedes believe they make environmentally conscious choices, in particular when it comes to environmentally friendly means of transport and buying eco-labelled goods and services. Despite this, the ecological footprints from consumption by the residents of Sweden are growing and are currently at a level incompatible with a global development that is sustainable in the long term.

The public sector is a large consumer and by means of climate smart and energy efficient procurement it can contribute to an increased market for sustainable products and services. Incentives are needed to encourage the re-use and repair of resources and products instead of buying new in order for the circular economy to develop. A circular economy increases the need for services, which contributes to a sustainable transition. Changes can primarily be achieved through initiatives where consumers are incentivised to choose long-term sustainable alternatives through campaigns, education and other support.

The work should be behaviourally oriented. Consumption patterns need to be challenged and called into question instead of just focusing on the product with the least energy-intensive production or the one that saves the most energy during its service life.

Prioritised efforts in Future consumption and trade In Norrbotten, the following efforts are prioritised:

Resource-efficient construction The population of Norrbotten needs to grow. Attractive housing and living environments are needed in order to attract and retain skills and manpower.

Community planning Community planning deals with how we should develop and maintain a long-term sustainable society. The interaction between buildings, infrastructure, transport and energy solutions are prerequisites of the planning. Issues related to climate, energy and climate-smart solutions should be addressed and discussed at an early stage during the development of a regional knowledge base and planning docu- mentation, as well as municipal visions, strategies and outline plans.

Goals, measures and land claims can be defined to then be implemented in community building.These processes contain balances and priorities between different interests, and different needs and requirements can be taken into account. In regional plans and in the municipal outline plans, the consequences of proposed land use should always be investigated from an integrated community perspective, with the aim of promoting long-term sustainable solutions.

Community planning lays the foundation that defines the nature of the subsequent construction. Early planning is therefore important in order to achieve efficient construction, mobility and energy system solutions and to avoid sub-optimisations. The building and construction sector need to have the knowledge and tools that allow it to build the right construction with the right function in the right location,

26 while at the same time optimising construction logistics and transport. One step would be to integrate climate information into the existing systems for planning and design. This will enable climate-based decision support for the choice of construction and materials.

Construction The potential exists to reduce the climate impact of the construction sector using existing technology, but technology shifts and innovations are needed in order to meet the national goals. To achieve this requires incentives, new business models and collaboration across the entire value chain. The large amount of energy consumption in the housing and services sector is a challenge for society from the point of view of climate change, since renewable energy is needed for fossil freedom in other sectors of society, such as the transport sector.

The type of building, the building system and the materials chosen affect the amount of energy that will be used during the service life of a building. In this connection, industrial wood construction can be a climate-smart alternative since it is relatively energy-efficient, effectual and optimised, both in terms of production and logistics. The climate impact caused by different system choices depends on project-specific developer requirements and production conditions, among other things. From the point of view of climate change, building with a better energy performance than stipulated by the building regulations has proven to be well justified, since well-insulated buildings result in a relatively small increase in the climate impact from the increased amounts of materials used in relation to the climate impact from the poorer insulated buildings during the user phase. In this connection, it is important to view the built community as an entirety of buildings, facilities, infrastructure, means of transport and energy producers.

In its road map to fossil freedom,22 the industry has identified five key factors for creating a climate-neutral value chain:

• Collaboration, leadership and knowledge • Long-term codes of practice that facilitate investment and adaptation to climate-neutral materials and processes • A development from linear to circular processes • Availability and efficient use of bio-based raw materials • Public procurement as the engine for the transition

22 Road map to fossil free competitiveness - Building and construction sector. Fossil-free Sweden 2018.

Existing buildings Despite an ongoing increase in housing construction, the majority of the building stock in 2030 will consist of buildings that are already built. The greatest potential for improvements in energy efficiency therefore lies within the existing building stock. An important area here is the conversion and renovation of the multi-apartment buildings from the Million Programme.

Heating for housing accounts for the third largest energy consumption in Norrbotten. The picture is the same across the whole country, but our long and cold winters, in combination with old buildings that in many cases have not been renovated and adapted to new energy standards, mean that the energy consumption in our homes is relatively high. District heating networks are well developed in several of the urban areas, which contributes to stability in the energy system (see chapter ”Flexible and robust energy system”). In addition, the housing is heated primarily using electricity and biofuels. Energy efficiency improvements in the housing sector and increased opportunities to produce energy at home can facilitate the transition to a sustainable energy system and increased resource efficiency. In pace with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from a building’s operational phase, it is becoming increasingly important to analyse the climate and environmental impact of the building’s entire life- cycle. Since, just as with new construction, it has proven to be climate smart to renovate with better energy performance than the building regulations, there is great potential for upgrading the existing housing stock from the point of view of climate change.

Prioritised efforts within resource efficient construction In Norrbotten, the following efforts are prioritised:

• To utilise comprehensive planning in order to localise essential societal interests so that energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions are minimised. • To utilise sustainable regional and local building materials to a greater extent. • To work with life-cycle perspectives, re-use and recycling to a greater extent. • To work for the labelling and certification of both buildings as well as building materials.

Flexible and robust energy system Norrbotten’s energy system needs to be robust and flexible23 in order to handle a future scenario of increased electrification where wind and solar will account for a greater part of electricity generation. The energy system consists of several different systems, primarily electricity system, district heating network, fuel supply, biofuels such as firewood and pellets, as well as industry energy sources, and in many ways these are interconnected. Fuel supply and industrial energy use are handled under the chapters ”Fossil-free transport” and ”World class production”.

Efficient energy use is not just about reducing the amount of energy used for a particular purpose, but also when the energy is used. Energy efficiency improvements in supply, conversion and distribution, as well as flexible energy use, make a contribution to a sustainable energy system. Consumer awareness can increase by highlighting how energy is used and the consequences of different choices of origin. By extension, it can help to improve the efficiency of energy use.

Achieving a flexible and robust energy system requires collaboration between all of the energy system’s actors: producers, energy companies and energy users.

The right energy quality for the right purpose Several industries are investigating similar solutions in order to achieve fossil freedom, which could mean competition for renewable types of energy. The transition from liquefied petroleum gas or other fossil gases to biogas in industry can be balanced against the increased use of biogas for transport purposes. Electricity can be considered for use in industry, for transport or for heating of premises and

23 Here, robust energy system means that electricity should be available where and when it is needed. 29 buildings. It will therefore be important to have an overall holistic perspective when assessing which type of energy should be used for which application so that the whole of society, and not just a single sector, can be successfully converted to fossil-freedom.

The district heating system The district heating system is well developed in the larger central districts and towns of Norrbotten. The system supplies housing and buildings with heat and hot water.

The district heating in Luleå is an example of how the different parts of the energy system are interconnected. There, cogeneration is produced from the process gases of the steel industry. The gases have fossil origin, but are generated in the processes. Utilising them for cogeneration production can be seen as part of a circular economy where electricity and steam are sold back to the steel plant and the district heating becomes of use to society. The residual energy from the paper industry is also used for district heating production.

Otherwise, the production of district heating consists of waste incineration and bio-based fuels. The fossil sources currently in use consist of boiler heating with heating oil, peat and the part of the waste that is not counted as renewable. The fossil sources will need to be phased out in order to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases. Even if the waste staircase is used and there is a reduction in the amount of waste as energy source, there will be a residue that goes to incineration. With fossil products in society being phased out to be replaced largely by renewable and bio-based products and materials, the proportion of fossil waste in waste incineration will be reduced24.

Processes can become even more circular by identifying and utilising additional residual energy and residual heat. One effect may also be that new products and services are developed in association with the sources.

Since the steel industry’s production processes, for example, are likely to change as a result of the energy and climate measures, their by-products and, by extension, cogeneration production will also be affected.

The electricity transmission network The electricity transmission system is currently facing changes and needs to be adapted and expanded. On the one hand, a number of production plants are beginning to age, and on the other hand, the electricity system is undergoing change by means of an increased number of small-scale electricity producers (wind and solar) and the replacement of fossil fuels by electricity. At the same time, we can see increased electrification in the transport sector and the pace of this development is expected to increase. Other societal functions are also investigating the possibility of using electrification to meet the climate goals, such as the mining and steel industries, which can lead to a greater need for fossil-free electricity as well as a need for greater flexibility in the electricity transmission network.This will increase the demand for power rather than energy throughout the county. This will place particular demands on areas where there is already a shortage of power. Fluctuations in the electricity system may also increase due to increased electrification. The testing and development of various forms of energy storage technology can lead to reduced fluctuations in electricity transmission systems, strengthened redundancy and the conversion of electrical energy into other types of energy. During 2019, Region Norrbotten, together with Vattenfall AB, has been conducting a regional analysis of the electricity transmission network in order to increase the understanding of the development of the energy system.

24 Road map for fossil-free competitiveness: The heating industry. Fossil-free Sweden 2018.

30 Renewable electricity generation For decades, more renewable electricity, primarily in the form of hydropower, has been produced in Norrbotten than has been used in the county, which has contributed to Sweden already being a leading country when it comes to sustainable energy supply. There are also several reasons why renewable electricity generation should increase in the county and the State for the future. The new innovations and technologies being developed to transform the transport and industrial sectors are largely based on solutions that involve an increased need for electricity. By making wise use of renewable energy resources, the county can also contribute to a reduced climate impact, while the efforts create development opportunities for the county and the nation’s business sector.

In order to facilitate the implementation of a sustainable energy system to a greater extent, it is important to have a national overall perspective regarding all electricity generation and all consumption with clear regulations, long-term planning, effective management control instruments, as well as investment willingness in all parts of the electricity system, which includes production, distribution and consumption.

Hydropower Sweden has a national goal of a 100 percent renewable electricity system by 2040. Norrbotten already contributes to the country’s renewable electricity generation thanks to its large share of hydropower. An increased need for electricity can also be met with continued hydropower generation, in combination with continued investments in wind turbines and photovoltaic plants. However, an increase in intermittent25 electricity generation will present a challenge for the planning of the future electricity system.

Wind power The greatest potential for increasing renewable electricity production in Norrbotten lies with wind power. There are several areas in the county with good wind conditions, as well as good conditions for efficient production, but there are also many conflict areas. Among other things, wind power installations compete with defence interests, the forestry industry, the tourism industry, conservation interests for animals and nature, as well as important areas for reindeer herding. The most appropriate use for the land must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

25 Irregular and difficult to predict.

31 Solar power In recent years, the global market for solar cells has grown very rapidly, and even in Norrbotten with an increase in solar cell capacity, albeit from a low level. The rapid development in the area provides good opportunities for continued expansion and further development. Solar power has relatively high acceptance in several sections of the population, and many are attracted to producing their own electricity. Buyers of electric cars may at the same time invest in solar cells in order to produce their own fuel. However, there are certain risks for conflicts of interest between the energy and climate goals and other goals, such as the use of agricultural land to build solar cell parks or that culturally important building elements are destroyed by solar cells on facades and roofs.

Bioenergy Residual products from the forestry industry can be converted into biomass fuels and this is currently done to a certain extent in Norrbotten. Regional production of energy for transport purposes is possible to an increasing extent by utilising the side streams from the regional forestry industry. An increased use of waste heat energy and residual energy is also needed. District heating production based on waste heat energy and residual energy, as well as bio-based fuels, will continue to be an important part of the energy system. Biofuels will also play an important role in high-temperature industrial processes where electrification will not be sufficient.

Norrbotten’s largest contribution to the supply of renewable energy lies in hydropower, while at the same time the greatest potential for development lies in the utilisation and development of residues from the forestry industry. There are a number of conflicts over objectives when it comes to an increased extraction of biofuels from the forest and agricultural land, such as with reindeer herding, biodiversity conservation and outdoor recreation.

Prioritised efforts within a flexible and robust energy system In Norrbotten, the following efforts are prioritised:

Appendices

Appendix 1: Method description

The climate and energy strategy has been jointly developed by the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, Region Norrbotten and Norrbotten’s municipalities. The strategy has been decided upon by each organisation and shall serve as a joint strategy, with goals and focus for the continued climate and energy efforts within our own activities, and in collaboration with other actors in the county.

Workshops Work methods and methodological choices were implemented by a working group consisting of representatives from the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, Region Norrbotten and Norrbotten Municipalities. Workshops were planned to gather points of view, get a broad acceptance and, above all, to initiate a discussion on climate and energy issues. Agreement was reached to start out from the Swedish Energy Agency’s sectoral strategies, which was why there were five workshops. The work in the workshops was to be integrated with the policy areas of the Regional Development Strategy, and five alternative scenarios for Norrbotten 2050 were used to discuss the problem in order for the workshop participants not to lock themselves into their usual patterns of thinking.

FUTURE RESOURCE- FLEXIBLE AND FOSSIL-FREE WORLD CLASS TRADE AND EFFICIENT ROBUST ENERGY TRANSPORT PRODUCTION CONSUMPTION CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

Be welcoming, sustainable and attractive

Create sustainable accessibility

Have an efficient, well- functioning skills supply

Be innovative and competitive

Horizontal criteria (gender equality, diversity, etc.)

Figure 6: Method for workshop work. Starting point in the Swedish Energy Agency’s sectoral strategies (columns) with focus on the policy areas identified in the regional development strategy (rows).

34 A broad invitation was sent for the workshops via the County Administrative Board in Norrbotten, and the calendar functions of Region Norrbotten and Norrbotten Municipalities. The invitation was also posted on Facebook and Twitter. The invitation was also sent to targeted e-mail lists and to the registrar address of all municipalities in Norrbotten and state authorities present in the region. In addition, the invitation has been distributed in different networks and at different events that preceded the workshops.

Three of the planned workshops were conducted and with good results. Two of the workshops were cancelled due to too few applications. A total of 62 people participated in one or more of the workshops. Of these, 34 were women and 28 men. The participants came from the following organisations: Luleå University of Technology, Region Norrbotten, County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Piteå Municipality, PiteEnergi, Pite renhållning & vatten AB, Regional Public Transport Authority of Norrbotten, Piteå Science Park, Luleå Port, Luleå Municipality, Boden municipality, North Sweden Energy Agency, Swedish Transport Administration, Federation of Swedish Farmers, Norden Association Norrbotten, Swedish Public Employment Service, Swedish Green Party, Visit Luleå, Luleå Energy, SPGA - Swedish Proving Ground Association, Schneider-Electric Sweden AB, Vattenfall AB, Skellefteå Kraft AB.

When the workshops were over, the questions were sent out to everyone who participated, or wanted to participate but were unable to attend. The questions were also sent to a mailing list of parties absent from the workshops. Summaries of matter arising were also sent out to all who participated in the workshops. We have received written comments on these questions and summaries from: Luleå Energi, BioFuel Region, SSAB, SPGA, Smurfit Kappa, and Norrmejerier Dairy Co-operative.

In order to perform the work on climate and energy in general, and the strategy work in particular, more familiar at the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, two so-called Friday focus meetings with the theme of climate and energy strategy were organised during December 2018.

Other material Material for the strategy has also been collected in other ways. Among other things, the road maps for fossil-free competitiveness have been an important element in obtaining an overview of how different industries address the problem and the opportunities. Dialogues have also been conducted in other forums, and dialogues with colleagues around Sweden have been valuable elements.

The energy and climate strategy has also been sent out for consultation during the period in spring 2019.

35 Appendix 2: Summary of results from the workshops

Fossil-free transport

• Streamline transport (more people or more tonnes per kWh used). • Coordinate transport (intermodal solutions and combined transport). • Coordination of vehicle ownership and needs between companies and civil society. • Control instruments that support rural development. • Create transfer points for mixed loading and intermodality. • Create nodes and flexible solutions with collaboration areas and collaboration premises where several tasks can be carried out simultaneously. • Multi-filling stations that are flexible for different fuels in the future. • Use major routes in urban area planning. • Electrify point-to-point traffic. • Adapt the energy system to increased electrification. • Working public transport. • Stabilise the electricity transmission network using battery solutions. • Utilise forest raw materials to a greater extent. • Retain energy regionally. Make use of and further refine energy for transport purposes regionally to a greater extent. • Create mobile service solutions. • What is needed to optimise the use of self-driving vehicles? • Create digital solutions to coordinate transport and reduce transport needs.

Future consumption and trade

• It must be easy to do the right thing as a consumer. Highlight sustainability through labelling. • Public procurement needs to be more clearly based on a life-cycle perspective. • Develop services for repair and recycling/re-use. • The publicity needs to create structures in order to facilitate. • Great need for information. Important to be clear and rigorous in labelling and communication. Standardisation. • Regional planning of certain activities and areas. • Stimulate ”fossil-free” and environmentally friendly procurement. • Clearly show what is produced locally/regionally. Demonstrate other values such as social and economic values with locally/regionally produced. • Create conditions for solutions such as ”ReTuna”... • Increased degree of self-sufficiency. • Greater range of collective solutions. • Create public meeting points.

Flexible and robust energy system

• Investigate which types of transport are suitable for electrification. • Need for improved control systems that can handle more sources and take-off points. • Investigation of what energy qualities should be used for different purposes. • Make use of ”energy waste” and improve the circular processes. • Power shortage rather than energy shortage. • Micro grids for increased redundancy.

36 • Need for energy storage technology. • Larger fluctuations in the system. • Highlight the consumption of energy and the effects of different choices, such as emissions and origin. • Expansion of the electricity system. • Procurement of energy.

Miscellaneous

• What role do society’s actors have in the transition work? • Standardisation v. flexibility. How should we handle it? • Highlight production processes from a life-cycle perspective. • Think more in terms of circular patterns with regard to re-use/recycling. • What is sustainable? How should it be communicated? • Wind power expansion and more solar cells. • How to use the ”waste staircase” for energy use, for example. • Standardisation and labelling.

37 Appendix 3: Environmental quality, climate and energy goals

Environmental quality goals All Swedish authorities must observe the 16 environmental quality goals and the overall generation goal: ”The overall goal of environmental policy is to hand over to the next generation a society where the major environmental problems are solved, without causing increased environmental and health problems outside of Sweden’s borders”.26

Among its eight points, the generation goal included more efficient energy use expressed as ”The proportion of renewable energy increases and that energy use is efficient with minimal impact on the environment”, as well as resource management expressed as ”Good management takes place with natural resources”.

As a clarification, the environmental quality goal ”Limited Climate Impact” since 1999 is the overall goal of Sweden’s climate policy. The environmental quality goal, ”Good Built Environment”, sets national goals for sustainable community planning, development and infrastructure, and management of energy and natural resources, that are important to pay attention to in climate and energy work.

Climate goal As a result of the Paris Agreement, among other things, the Riksdag adopted a climate policy frame work for Sweden in 2017. The framework consists of new national climate goals, a climate law that regulates the government’s management, follow-up and reporting of climate work, and an independent climate policy council. The intention is that it should create order in climate policy and it is based on an agreement within the parliamentary Environment Goals Committee.

As a long-term goal, the Riksdag has decided that Sweden shall have no net greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere by 2045. To meet this goal, several intermediate goals have been decided for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a specific sectoral target for domestic transport:

• Greenhouse gas emissions to 2020 Emissions for Sweden in 2020 should be 40 percent lower than emissions in 1990 and apply to activities not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ESR sector, also known as the ”non-trading sector”). • Greenhouse gas emissions to 2030 By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden in the non-trading sector should be at least 63 percent lower than emissions in 1990. A maximum of 8 percentage points of the emission reductions will need to take place through accompanying measures27. • Greenhouse gas emissions to 2040 By 2040, greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden in the non-trading sector should be at least 75 percent lower than emissions in 1990. A maximum of 2 percentage points of the emission reductions will need to take place through accompanying measures. • Greenhouse gas emissions to 2045 Sweden will not have any net greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere by 2045, to thereafter achieve negative emissions. To achieve net zero emissions, accompanying measures will need to be included. Emissions from activities in Swedish territory shall be at least 85 percent lower than the emissions of 1990. • Greenhouse gas emissions from domestic transport Greenhouse gas emissions from domestic transport (excluding domestic aviation which is included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme) shall be reduced by at least 70 percent by 2030 compared with 2010.

26 https://www.naturvardsverket.se/Miljoarbete-i-samhallet/Sveriges-miljomal/ 27 Increased carbon sequestration in forests and soil, carbon capture of biogenic origin (bio-CCS) and verified emissions reductions through investments in other countries. Accompanying measures to achieve negative greenhouse gas emissions (dir. 2018:70). 38 Energy goals The energy system is undergoing significant change both globally and in Sweden. Technology is evolving rapidly and the cost of new technology has fallen dramatically. The changing energy system and constant development of new technology are nothing new but have been elements in the continuous development of the energy system.

In the Energy Agreement, five parliamentary parties have decided on long-term goals for Sweden’s energy production and energy use. The three pillars of the energy policy - security of supply, competitiveness and ecological sustainability - shall make up the overall goal of energy policy.

• Sweden’s energy use 2030 Sweden’s energy use shall be 50 percent more efficient by 2030 compared to 2005, expressed in terms of energy supplied in relation to gross domestic product (GDP). • Sweden’s electricity production 2040 Sweden’s electricity production shall be 100 percent renewable by 2040.

Appendix 4: National and regional strategies/plans

Sectoral strategies for energy efficiency improvements Sectoral strategies for energy efficiency improvements are part of the Swedish Energy Agency’s long- term efforts to achieve the resource-efficient use of energy throughout Sweden. The sectoral strategies are developed in dialogue with representatives from the business sector, public actors and academia.

The purpose of the sectoral strategies is to create a dialogue between the Swedish Energy Agency, industries and the authorities affected to discuss appropriate indicative objectives and measures in each sector in order to cost-effectively contribute to the national environmental and climate goals.

The Swedish Energy Agency has decided that strategies shall be developed in the following sectors:

• Fossil-free transport • World class production • Future trade and consumption • Resource-efficient construction • Flexible and robust energy system

The sectoral strategies have also been a starting point in developing Norrbotten’s climate and energy strategy.

Fossil-free transport Energy consumption for domestic transport accounts for a large proportion of final energy consumption in Sweden. According to the Swedish Energy Agency, the following is needed in order to achieve a fossil-free transport sector:

• Energy efficient and fossil-free transport • A more transport-efficient society • Higher proportion of renewable fuels

This is a major changeover that will take place in a short time and the potential in all three areas needs to be utilised to meet the goals.

World class production Production means energy-efficient production and sustainable products and services. The sector includes industry, other production as well as the production-related service sector.

The sectoral approach should contribute to resource efficiency improvements in the participant’s energy consumption and enable other actors to improve their efficiency. The actors within the sector have a key role to play in contributing to resource efficiency in the supply chains, which in the long term need to be linked to circular flows. Important prerequisites include innovation and the commercialisation of energy-efficient products, systems and services, as well as automation and digitalisation.

Future trade and consumption Sustainable consumption patterns and responsible consumers are essential for the switching of energy sources. Public procurement and purchasing can drive the change by increasing the demand for resource- efficient products and solutions.

To be able to adapt to sustainable consumption patterns requires education and access to clear and easily accessible information about products and services. Methods for sustainable public procurement are important for increasing the distribution of products and services with good energy performance.

40 Resource-efficient construction Cooperation will be required at all levels of society in the sector for resource efficient construction. The sector includes the planning, construction and operation of buildings and installations in cities, urban areas and other built environments. Buildings and installations need to be located and designed so that resource efficiency is taken into account in a life-cycle perspective.According to the Swedish Energy Agency, the following factors should form important elements of the sector’s work:

• Planning for new construction of, for example, housing and installations • Resource-efficient design and construction of buildings and installations • How the buildings are managed, used and renovated

Flexible and robust energy system The Swedish electricity system is currently facing impending changes. Examples of such changes are in power and demand flexibility, electrification and new roles in the energy system. Collaboration is also required in the sector between all of the actors in the energy system, such as producers and energy companies, as well as private and public energy users.

The electrification and power issues are two particularly important areas to take into consideration. Energy efficiency improvements are not just about using energy more efficiently, but also about taking when energy is used into consideration.

Aggregators28 and new business models, as well as solutions for new roles within the energy system, are facilitators. Energy efficiency improvements and flexible energy consumption also contribute to a sustainable energy system.

Road maps for fossil-free competitiveness Sweden shall be a leading country for reducing climate emissions. Within Fossil-free Sweden, 13 industry-wide road maps29 for fossil-free competitiveness have been drawn up and presented to the government. Combined, the road maps provide an overview of what a fossil-free Sweden might look like, and how it can create competitive advantages for the Swedish business sector in an international market. They also identify obstacles along the way and contain suggestions for decision makers on how efforts to meet the goals can be facilitated by authorities and politicians.

The work on the road maps is led by trade associations or individual companies and, in its design, it should be inclusive so that they have a broad acceptance in the industry.

Regional development strategy With the regional development strategy (RUS) as the starting point, Region Norrbotten coordinates the work of the county’s regional development. The vision is for Norrbotten to become Sweden’s most welcoming and innovatively-thinking county. With a focus on sustainability, gender equality, equal opportunities and diversity at all times.

28 An aggregator is an actor that purchases volumes of unused power from electricity customers. That is to say, a household or company agrees to temporarily reduce its electricity consumption by switching off certain electrical equipment, for example. The aggregator sells the opportunity to use the power on the electricity exchange or to the transmission network owner. In this way, there is no need for additional electricity to cover a temporarily high power demand. 29 The first nine road maps submitted to the government are: Concrete industry; Building and construction sector; Cement industry; Grocery trade; Airline industry; Mining and mineral industry; Forestry industry; Steel industry; Haulage industry. Following which, road maps have been submitted by: Crushed stone aggregate industry; Digitalisation consultancy industry; Shipping industry; Heating industry. Two further road map processes are underway: Electricity system; Gas industry.

41 The overall goals of the regional development strategy:

• Be welcoming, sustainable and attractive • Create sustainable accessibility • Have an efficient, well-functioning skills supply • Be innovative and competitive

Together with other actors, we need to jointly strengthen Norrbotten’s position in national and international contexts through active influence activities, strategic alliances, networking and collaboration at international, national and interregional levels. The regional development strategy lays a foundation for the joint efforts to develop the county and is based on a thorough analysis of Norrbotten’s particular conditions for sustainable regional development and growth. The strategy is based on a number of challenges and culminates in a common goal for how we want Norrbotten to be and develop by 2030. Great emphasis is placed on descriptions of how we want Norrbotten to be and how to get there.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and demands measures at global, national, regional and local level in order to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt society to a changing climate. Sweden’s ambition is to take the lead in the work to achieve sustainable development inter- nationally, which requires active efforts at all levels, not least regionally and locally. At the same time, the development of solutions for energy transition and climate issues provides opportunities that can contribute to both sustainable development and economic growth. This means that efforts must be made at all levels of society.

Norrbotten is an industrially strong county where the challenge lies in efficiency improvements in energy use and thereby also greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining the competitiveness of the industry. Norrbotten shall contribute through active regional work to promote the transition of energy systems and a sustainable regional development. This means prioritising solutions that provide synergies between the social dimension, the environmental dimension and the economic dimension, while balancing between divergent interests and conflicts.

The regional development strategy (RUS) proposes a number of measures linked to the climate and energy strategy in order to create a more sustainable development in Norrbotten:

• To support initiatives where consumers are motivated to choose long-term sustainable alternatives. • To stimulate public procurement of locally produced, sustainable products. • To create conditions for a more environmentally smart behaviour throughout the county. • To develop methods for a long-term and integrated work method in which municipalities, private individuals, associations and others are invited to participate in dialogues. • To stimulate solutions for sustainable development and an economy based on the loop of the natural cycle - a circular economy.

Covenant of Mayors The Covenant of Mayors was launched in Europe in 2008, with the aim to bring together local authorities who voluntarily undertook to meet and exceed the EU’s climate and energy policy goals. The agreement brings together more than 7,000 local and regional authorities in 57 countries.

The parties to the agreement have approved a common vision for 2050: to intensify the efforts to create a fossil-free society, strengthen their capacity to adapt to the inevitable consequences of climate change, and to give their citizens access to secure, sustainable and beneficial energy supply.

42 In Norrbotten, Region Norrbotten coordinates the work of the municipalities within the Covenant of Mayors through North Sweden Energy Agency. Currently, 8 of 14 municipalities have joined and signed the agreement.

Action plan to strengthen climate and environmental perspectives in Norrbotten’s regional development strategy The purpose of this action plan is to have a greater impact on the climate and environmental perspec tives in strategies, programmes and efforts in the regional growth work that Region Norrbotten is responsible for carrying out in Norrbotten.30 The action plan shares the definition of sustainable growth from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, and the work on regional development in Norrbotten County is based on this definition: ”Growth is sustainable when we can meet our needs today - economically, environmentally and socially - while providing the conditions for future genera- tions to meet their needs”.

The public sector in Norrbotten County plays an important role in various collaborations in the Arctic, Barents Sea, and Northern Calotte, and in this connection it forms the link to the Baltic Sea. From this international perspective, Norrbotten County is a central region, both geographically and in terms of population. Making use of these conditions is also effective in national climate and environmental work. In this way, Norrbotten County plays a major role in the national efforts.

The action plan is divided into two parts. The first part describes the climate and environmental perspectives in existing strategies linked to ”the national strategy for sustainable regional growth and attractiveness 2015-2020”. Also included here are areas where Norrbotten County should strengthen its climate and environmental performance. The second part of the action plan consists of activities for the process to improve integration of the climate and environmental perspectives into regional growth efforts.

Together for the future of Norrbotten ”Together for the future of Norrbotten” is a regional action programme to enhance the conditions to achieve the climate, energy and environmental goals.31 The County Administrative Board shall develop, coordinate and implement regional action programmes with broad acceptance in the county. The County Administrative Board also has the assignment to promote, coordinate and lead the regional work to implement the government’s policy on energy transition and reduced climate impact. The action programme presents priority measures for meeting the common challenges faced for sustainable development in the county. An overall goal is for the action programme to contribute in the long term to a development towards a fossil-free, circular economy within the confines of nature.

The action programme shall provide guidance and support to prioritise the measures and development efforts of the county’s actors and to stimulate increased collaboration in regional work. The action programme will be updated at least every four years, the first time when this programme ends in 2020. The purpose of the programme is to draw up a plan for how to work together towards the regional environmental, energy and climate goals in broad collaboration with the county’s actors. The objective is to compile different types of action to meet the environmental, energy and climate goals.

30 Action plan to strengthen the climate and environmental perspectives in the regional growth work in Norrbotten 2017-2020. Region Norrbotten 2017. 31 Together for the future of Norrbotten - Action programme for environment, energy and climate, 2018-2020. County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County 2018.

43 Appendix 5: Different principles for resource use One aspect that is a regular subject of discussion with the county’s actors is the use of resources and how it can be optimised from climate and energy perspectives. For this reason, we have highlighted a number of different principles and tools that can be of value.

The waste staircase The EU has decided on a so-called waste hierarchy, or waste staircase, which also governs how waste is handled in Sweden.

MINIMISE

RE-USE

MATERIAL RECOVERY

ENERGY RECOVERY

SAFE DISPOSAL

Figure 7: The waste staircase32

Följande ordning ska följas vad gäller avfallshantering:

1. Prevent waste from being created. We should primarily ensure that as little waste as possible is created in the first place. This is the best way to reduce the use of the Earth’s resources and the impact on the environment. 2. Re-use. For waste that is nevertheless created, we must re-use as much as possible. 3. Recycle material. When re-use is not possible, we should recycle the material. 4. Recover energy through incineration. If the waste cannot be recycled, the energy in the waste must be recovered through incineration. 5. Landfill disposal. Waste that is leaving the loop of the natural cycle and that cannot be processed in any other way is sent to landfill. ELECTRICAL ENERGY MECHANICAL 32 The waste staircase, or waste hierarchy, is based ENERGYon EU directives and is a method for meeting the EU’s environmental goals. The principle is also incorporated into Swedish legislation where waste prevention (the highest priority step) is described in the Environmental Code’sHEAT general rules of consideration, and the other steps are described in the Environmental Code’s chapter thatENERGY deals with waste. ENERGY QUALITY 44 MINIMISE

RE-USE

MATERIAL RECOVERY

ENERGY RECOVERY

SAFE DISPOSAL

Energy quality The different forms of energy are not equally as usable when it comes to converting energy into a form that we can use. The term energy quality is used to describe the difference in usability. Electrical energy is a high quality form of energy because it can easily be converted to most other forms of energy. Mechanical energy is a fairly high quality form of energy because it can be converted into electrical energy relatively easily. However, heat at low temperature is difficult to convert to anything else and is therefore said to have a low energy quality. When ”energy consumption” is discussed in everyday terms, it means the conversion of a high quality form of energy into a lower quality form of energy.33 In general, energy with as little environmental impact as possible and as low energy quality as possible should be chosen.

Figure 8: Description of energy quality. Electrical energy is a high quality form of energy because it can easily be converted to most other forms of energy. ELECTRICAL ENERGY Mechanical energy is a fairly high quality form of energy MECHANICAL because it can be converted ENERGY into electrical energy relatively easily. HEAT ENERGY However, heat at low tempe- ENERGY QUALITY rature is difficult to convert to anything else and is therefore said to have a low energy quality.

Circular economy The European Commission has adopted an ambitious new legislative package on the circular economy. The goal is to help businesses and consumers in the EU manage the transition to a stronger and more circular economy where resources are used in a more sustainable way.

Circular economy is an expression for models that use circular flows instead of linear processes. The circular economy is inspired by the cycle of nature. Products and services in a circular economy are designed to have re-use value within either biological or technological cycles. The goal is to not need to throw anything away, and thus reduce the need for new raw materials while production and transport take place using renewable energy in an optimal way.

The circular economy is a remarkably different way of doing business, which forces companies to rethink everything, from how they design and manufacture their products to their relationships with customers.

Energy efficiency first Reducing energy consumption and energy waste is becoming increasingly important for the EU. ”Energy efficiency first” is one of the key elements in order to ensure a secure, sustainable and competitive energy supply at an affordable price within the EU.34 The principle states that there must be efficiency improvements in energy use with regard to quantity and quality.

33 Energy as a physical concept has no other properties than its existence as an amount. However, in practical applications, there is a slight difference in the way in which the concept of energy is used for differing forms of energy that can be used in different ways. 34 Fact sheet on the European Union - Energy efficiency. 2019.

45 The four-step principle The four-step principle is the Swedish Transport Administration’s work strategy that is applied to ensure sound resource management, and to ensure that action taken contributes to sustainable societal development.35

1. Think about it The first step is to primarily consider measures that can affect the need for transport and travel, as well as choosing the mode of transport. 2. Optimise The second step involves measures that result in more efficient use of the existing infrastructure. 3. Redevelopment If necessary, the third step is carried out, which involves limited redevelopment. 4. Build new The fourth step is carried out if the need cannot be met in the three previous steps. This means new investments and/or major redevelopment.

Communicating sustainability Communicating sustainability is difficult but important. Conscious and genuine work on sustainability can strengthen both the region’s brand and its attractiveness. A number of communications agencies have branded themselves for this. Below is a summary of conclusions on what was considered important to address:

• Describe what is being done. • Define the concept of sustainability for the current situation, product or service. • Demonstrate the societal benefit. • Be open with what works well and where there are shortcomings. • Make it easy.

35 The four-step principle was launched within the Swedish Road Administration in 1997 as a tool to improve management of the investment funds allocated to the authority.