Where engineer finds home: Scandinavia

Individual markets are too small, Europe is too big and the EU is too slow. A regional cooperation between Norway-Denmark-Sweden on well-defined parts of energy transition can be the way to success, for climate, business, politics and for the engineer.

What is the swedish role?

Sweden is accountable for a Global share of GHGs emission at 0.15%, so it wouldn’t be noticeable if the emissions were theoretically reduced to zero . When the politically appointed  All Party Committee on Environmental Objectives (Miljömålsberedningen), which was responsible for setting Sweden’s climate goals, realized this, they jointly came to a radical conclusion. With such small emissions, it’s no use to be quite good; the only way Sweden can make a difference is to become the best, to have such a fast energy transition that other countries turn to Sweden for inspiration and possible solutions.

Sweden shares this approach with Denmark, which decided in the 1970s to become the world’s pioneer number one in wind power, and now wind power is Denmark’s main export branch. On the other hand there is Norway, which, despite not having a significant automotive industry, decided to become the world’s best in electric cars and now is the only country in the world where “ordinary people” drive electric cars on a daily basis.

 

This approach is also shared with Swedish industry, where, for example, Scania states that while Sweden is their home market, merely numerically it is not so significant. This is when Sweden comes out with new technical solutions as the worldwide first – like the continuously inductively charged electric bus in Södertälje – that other countries and companies get inspired of and order in much larger amount than the Swedish market can buy.

 

The toughest goal

The countries’ admission ticket to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris was to deliver concrete climate targets; Nationally Determined Contributions. By 2030, Sweden’s overall climate impact (outside EU ETS) will decrease by 63% compared to 1990, and the transport sector’s climate impact will decrease by 70% between 2010 and 2030 – “fossil-independent fleet of vehicles”. The long-term target – that is set by other countries by 2050- is achievable to Sweden by 2045, when Sweden will achieve net zero impact on climate.

Because the unity manifests itself in climate law, climate policy framework and climate goals, it means that anyone who wants to invest in, for example, a biogas plant, electrified roads or IT solutions for reduced transport dependency, can feel free to do it, and its investments will be safe. Engineers are the most wanted in these areas. In addition, we see in the first budget that was adopted after the approval  of the Climate Act, that the government makes greener efforts than before.

Good engineer learns from one another

Sweden’s top priority is to reschedule the transport sector – not just producing new cars.Sweden needs in-depth cooperation with Norway and Denmark, divided into:

• Like the rest of the world, Sweden needs to learn from Norway’s electric car boom, not least the electric ferries and the electrification of heavy transport. From Denmark, Sweden must learn how cycling becomes the obvious choice for everyday transport and how it contributes to a better urban environment and improved health.
• Avinor (norwegian airlines) and Swedavia (swedish airlines) have the same goal of fossil-free domestic flights. In long-haul shipping, all three countries have strong shipping companies with clear climate ambitions, but without any clear In these global, highly competitive markets, we must realize only a Scandinavian triumvirate is the reasonable unit for success.
• Sweden is the world leader in advanced biofuels; biogas from household waste, biodiesel and ethanol. Sweden also have a strong automotive industry that other Nordic region lacking, with everything from testing opportunities to market recruitment.

Taking all of these circumstances into consideration, sectors that are related to sustainability, environmentally friendly transport and industry, require qualified experts, like a hungarian engineer, since, as it’s written above, the Nordic region has decided to be the pioneer of the new green era of our culture. The Engineer will always be welcome, due to the plenty of opportunities hiding here. This region is the beginning of something greener, and more thriving.

 

source: Energi og Klima