In collaboration with the Biorenewable Deployment Consortium (BDC), Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative (GTI) and RISE launched a webinar to introduce the GTI program and the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) Bioeconomy innovation initiatives. The webinar was hosted by the BDC as part of their BDC 2023 Webinar Series. 

Sustainable utilization of the forest is of extreme importance to Sweden and the United States. Despite the difference in size and populations, Sweden is the 4th largest exporter of pulp, paper and wood products following the USA, Russia, and Canada. Sweden is also a leader in the development of the bioeconomy and drives approximately 50% of its industrial sector with biofuels.  The Swedish Forest industry’s path to sustainability has been through the development of the bioeconomy with bio-based smart packaging materials, wood-based construction, bio-based textiles and clothing, digital cellulose, and biofuels. Additionally, RISE with its more than 3000 researchers and scientists enabled the Swedish green transition by innovating with its applied research, testing and demonstration facilities. 

Looking to the United States, over 85% of the U.S. industrial sector energy supply in 2022 was from fossil-fuel based sources. However, large scale public investments are now being made in the U.S. to develop and encourage the use of low-carbon fuels, feedstocks, and energy sources (LCFFES), energy efficiency, and zero-carbon based electricity for industry. GTI aims to further the ongoing US green transition, facilitating the sharing of Swedish innovations in the bioeconomy through the creation of small pilot projects in the U.S. that provide verifiable reductions of CO2 emissions.

Overall, the GTI-RISE BDC webinar provided an opportunity to learn about Swedish bioeconomy innovations, set against the backdrop of the United States' ongoing green energy and industrial transition.

large_bdcwebinar.PNG

medium_bdcwebinar.PNG

small_bdcwebinar.PNG

thumbnail_bdcwebinar.PNG

bdcwebinar.PNG

GTI-RISE BDC webinar

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Swedish Embassy to the United States, and the Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative, this event explored the topic of sustainability and business. 
 
Increasingly, companies in a wide range of sectors are recognizing the business case in 
being known as front-runners in the global quest for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Participants explored questions such as:
Where are the digital and analytical tools to help a business track, process and present its sustainability performance? 
What are the emerging trends and solutions in this space?

Sustainability reporting is a challenge for any business. To most, gathering data that can reflect the full supply chain is a daunting task, as is relating it to sustainability goals. And frankly, does more data equal better data? 

In Sweden and the United States, new digital tools and technologies are emerging that are enabling businesses and public sector actors to collect, process, and showcase sustainability data in meaningful and empowering ways.

ESG Seminar

Sweden Innovation Days 2023 dived into why Sweden is a world leader within innovation but also how we can continuously strive towards more innovative solutions, both theoretically and practically.

This year it focused on Enabling innovation that makes a difference. Here you can explore the wide variety of keynotes, panel discussions and interviews that took place throughout the event. There were also many fantastic Side Events focusing on a key theme, Enablers, Future societies, Planetary resources or Energy transition.

large_sid 2023.png

medium_sid 2023.png

small_sid 2023.png

thumbnail_sid 2023.png

sid 2023.png

GTI hosting event at SID 2023

GTI has partnered with Nordic Innovation House, Business Sweden, and Vinnova, among others, to build a platform for Swedish and Nordic startups to make the most out of the worlds largest consumer electronics fair. 

The Nordic networking breakfast and Nordic BBQ connected investors, partners and customers with Nordic startups.



Consumer Electronic Show

GTI, Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency and Business Sweden hosted a series of seminars on internationalization for Swedish regions

The seminars covered a range of topics related to internationalization, including:

1. How to identify and assess international opportunities
2. How to develop and implement an internationalization strategy
3. How to finance internationalization
4. How to manage cultural differences
5. How to build and maintain international partnerships

A number of experts from the public and private sectors participated in the seminars, sharing their insights and experiences on internationalization.

Internationalization for Swedish regions

Bifrost Summit, March 6-9, 2023 was a 4-day program, organized by Nordic Innovation House Silicon Valley to support New-Nordic entrepreneurs gain insights and network in Silicon Valley. 
The program is designed to inspire and connect leading New-Nordic solutions with key stakeholders and decision makers on the west coast, giving companies a fast track into the market.



large_SoMe+sharing+Bifrost.jpg

medium_SoMe+sharing+Bifrost.jpg

small_SoMe+sharing+Bifrost.jpg

thumbnail_SoMe+sharing+Bifrost.jpg

SoMe+sharing+Bifrost.jpg

Bifrostsummit

As part of the Green Transition Summit program, GTI led a roundtable discussion on cities and the green transition. Participants identified two key themes of interest for stakeholders: urban development and energy transition. Thus, the discussion focused on exploring tools, approaches, and policy frameworks to build resilient and economically prosperous urban communities. Roundtable participants included experts on policy, energy, and urban development from both Sweden and the United States. The discussion began by exploring the strengths of a quadruple helix collaboration model, linking academia, industry, government, and the public in transformative action.

The discussion first explored the efforts of Viable Cities, a Swedish Innovation Program, to establish mechanisms to drive sustainable urban development. In Sweden, 23 mayors from cities in Sweden have signed a "Climate City Contract” which brings cities together to help accelerate reaching the sustainability targets set by individual climate portfolios. The participants also discussed urban climate challenges in a US context, since American cities vary significantly in terms of economic strengths, demographic characteristics, and ecological landscapes. Climate-centric urban development must be adjusted to fit each city – leveraging local strengths while also addressing key challenges.

Participants also examined the urban clean energy transition, focusing on reducing fossil fuels and increasing energy efficiency. The Roundtable discussed the LA100 project, a joint city-federal government study into delivering 100% clean energy to Los Angeles by 2045. The study demonstrates that increasing renewable energy usage from 85% to 100% becomes exponentially more difficult. Despite the many obstacles cities face to transition energy and infrastructure, leaders can rely on local resources, economic strengths, and emerging research to foster more sustainable communities.  

 Ultimately, inter-sector partnerships can ensure cities will effectively address the distinct, local challenges pressing the urban community, such as energy systems change. Policy, industry, and local stakeholders must coordinate to catalyze the urban green transition, focusing on goals like energy, infrastructure, and workforce development. 

Roundtable on Cities

The GTI Roundtable Around Collaboration for Green Transition focused on a variety of topics including reducing emissions and boosting Sweden-US climate coordination. GTI's mission is to facilitate bilateral collaboration between Sweden and USA to reduce Green House Gases. Our roundtable explored how to leverage legislation such as the IRA and CHIPS programs to accelerate international collaborations and project funding. The discussion also examine opportunities for collaboration within the four thematic areas: 1) electromobility, 2) renewable energy, 3) sustainable industry, and 4) smart and green buildings. The Roundtable cements GTI's ongoing aim to identify relevant players across each thematic area to advance the green transition in the United States and Sweden.

large_MicrosoftTeams-image (6).png

medium_MicrosoftTeams-image (6).png

small_MicrosoftTeams-image (6).png

thumbnail_MicrosoftTeams-image (6).png

MicrosoftTeams-image (6).png

GTI Roundtable

As part of the Green Transition Summit program, GTI led a roundtable discussion on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Participants focused on the ongoing sustainable build-out of EV charging infrastructure, exploring topics such as market trends, EV adoption, and consumer perceptions of charging. Notably, GTI, in collaboration with Volvo CE, Atlas Copco, and Husqvarna, is pioneering a pilot project to identify a construction site for sustainable EV infrastructure. The core of this initiative is to build green infrastructure sustainably, strengthening the case for electrified construction. 

The discussion first examined global EV markets and policies, focusing on Western Europe and the United States. First, participants identified a common disparity in regulations when comparing transportation and construction vehicles, noting that emission-reduction are disproportionately geared toward transportation rather than construction sector. Additionally, notable policy differences exist between the European Union and the United States since the EU tends to favor taxes and penalties while the US promotes incentive actions like tax credits. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), for example, includes provisions for tax credits linked to the purchase of EVs, contributing to the growth of EV purchases in the United States.

The roundtable also explored key challenges and opportunities to expand EV usage. Within the construction industry, there are constraints to expanding electrification given the need for grid connectivity, robust energy storage and the capacity for off-grid electricity generation. Industry voices have also expressed skepticism towards fully electric solutions, suggesting that hybrid models may help facilitate the ongoing electric transition. However, incentivizing low emission construction will greatly depend on prospective policies. Regulatory oversights of sustainable construction will slow the sector’s green transition, while being outpaced by the growth of transportation infrastructure in urban areas.

Overall, factors like industrial shifts, grid stability, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics will continue to play a role in how EVs are adopted on a larger, international scale. Given that Sweden is a global leader in electromobility and charging, the roundtable explored how Swedish solutions can support US industry and EV markets. 

Roundtable on EV Charging

March 3, the opening of the Pioneer the Possible exhibition took place with an event organized by the [Embassy of Sweden in USA](https://www.linkedin.com/company/swedeninusa/) in partnership with Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative, Mistra Carbon Exit Research Program ([Mistra](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mistra-stiftelsen-f-r-milj-strategisk-forskning/), Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning), and [Resources for the Future](https://www.linkedin.com/company/resources-for-the-future/).
Linda Andrén, Executive Director, Sweden-US Green Transition had the honour to moderate a fantastic panel on “Industrial innovation and decarbonization in the US and EU – technical and policy pathways. 

The recent AR6 report calls for deep, rapid and sustained mitigation and accelerated implementation of adaptation actions in this decade, as it would reduce projected losses and damages. Transitions across all sectors and systems are necessary to achieve deep and sustained emissions reductions and secure a liveable and sustainable future for all. The report states that effective climate action is enabled by political commitment, well-aligned multilevel governance, institutional frameworks, laws, policies and strategies and enhanced access to finance and technology. With the release of the AR6 report, this event was timely.

During this panel we had the opportunity to listen to experts on technical pathways to decarbonization of the basic material industry and policy pathways to decarbonize the basic materials industry. We had the pleasure to listen to a broad range of experts. Covering both research, policy and industry leaders. Ida Karlsson, PhD Candidate within Mistra Carbon Exit at Chalmers University of Technology was one of the panellists sharing valuable insights on the composition of materials in buildings and where emissions reductions can occur – Sweden and EU pathways. 

Followed by Filip Johnsson, Professor, Department of Energy and Environment, Energy Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and also Part of the Management group of Mistra Carbon Exit shared insights on the future of Carbon Capture and Storage, including challenges and opportunities. We also had the privilege to listen to US perspectives from Andrés Clarens is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia sharing learnings on technical innovation in specific material(s) and US pathways. Last but not least, we had the privilege to listen to Ben Kowing, Vice President Chief Technical Officer for SSAB, Industry perspective on opportunities for innovation and barriers to implementation.

The discussion was truly insightful exploring the transformative pathways that are required for this transition to address challenges pointed out in the IPCC sixth assessment report. As we move forward, it's clear that innovation and collaboration will be key to driving progress in the direction of the Green Transition. We need to continue working together to Pioneer the Possible. 


small_pioneerthepossible.jpg

thumbnail_pioneerthepossible.jpg

pioneerthepossible.jpg

Pioneer The Possible Exhibition


Zpryme’s City of the Future 2023 was held in Washington DC, offering GTI the opportunity to participate in the event. New developments in urban centers have shifted the way people think about life, community, and prosperity. In order to determine how cities can modernize to foster these attributes, City of the Future united prominent voices in cities, utilities, business, and activism for 3 days of impactful discussions. The January summit invited collaboration with leaders from across the continent to participate in the conversation on shaping the cities of the future.

Venue: Jack Morton auditorium at George Washington University



Design the Future of Cities

Register for the launch event organized by the Atlantic Council

On March 31st, 2022, the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and Europe Center, in partnership with the United States Department of Energy and the Embassy of Sweden in the United States, launched the Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative. During the launch event, panelists discussed opportunities for the US and Sweden to accelerate the energy transition and the role of the private sector in pushing climate action forward.

large_Launch GTI.PNG

medium_Launch GTI.PNG

small_Launch GTI.PNG

thumbnail_Launch GTI.PNG

Launch GTI.PNG

Launch of the Green Transition Initiative

In order to drastically reduce emissions and reach the sustainability goals, major changes are required, not least in industry and the transport sector. Swedish IndTech, a non-profit organization that promotes Swedish industrial innovation, convened a seminar to discuss how to speed up the transformation from a systems perspective.

The seminar featured a panel of world-leading industry leaders and policy actors, including:

Robert Falck, CEO of Northvolt
Andreas Follér, CEO of Hexagon AB
Alyssa Haerle, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation
Jennifer Gerbi, Director of the Clean Energy Economy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The panelists discussed a range of topics, including the importance of collaboration between industry, government, and academia; the need for policy incentives to support innovation; and the role of new technologies in decarbonizing the economy.

The seminar concluded with a call for action to accelerate the sustainability transition. The panelists emphasized the need for bold leadership and ambitious goals, as well as the importance of working together to find solutions that work for everyone.

Swedish IndTech is committed to playing a leading role in the sustainability transition. The organization will continue to convene events and initiatives that bring together stakeholders from all sectors to discuss and implement solutions that will help Sweden and the world reach its climate goals.

For more information, please visit the Swedish IndTech website.

large_Skärmbild 2023-08-09 104139.png

medium_Skärmbild 2023-08-09 104139.png

small_Skärmbild 2023-08-09 104139.png

thumbnail_Skärmbild 2023-08-09 104139.png

Skärmbild 2023-08-09 104139.png

Swedish IndTech Convenes Seminar on How to Speed Up the Sustainability Transition

The Green Transition Summit (GTS) was a high-level conference on innovation, business, the environment, and policies in a unique setting, covering green transition strategies for countries, tools and approaches for cities, and related policy frameworks to build resilient communities and ensure economic prosperity.

The Summit showcased the Green Transition Initiative's (GTI) ongoing work to establish system pilot projects to accelerate green transition and demonstrate existing solutions to accelerate green transition with significant environmental and societal benefits for American cities and organizations.

Finally, the Summit presented the Pioneer the Possible exhibition and provided networking and matchmaking opportunities to lay the groundwork for future partnerships and projects that extend beyond the event itself.

Green Transition Summit Agenda:

Welcoming remarks, Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States
Key note, Ebba Busch, Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry
Key note, Reed Blakemore, Director of Programs and Research at the Atlantic Council, Global Energy Center
Strategies and Tools for the Green Transition

Roadmaps for fossil free competitiveness
First Movers Coalition
Climate Contract, Viable Cities, Lars Johansson, Change Management Specialist
Greening the Construction Industry

Transforming cities by greening construction equipment
Building “green with green” – constructing EV charging infrastructure with electrified equipment
Resources for the Transition

Batteries and minerals needed for the green transition
The Summit is co-hosted by Atlantic Council. In partnership with Volvo and Atlas Copco.

large_Panel2.jpg

medium_Panel2.jpg

small_Panel2.jpg

thumbnail_Panel2.jpg

Panel2.jpg

Green Transition Summit

As ambitious infrastructure projects to support the green transition are being rolled out all over the US, there is a growing demand for innovative green energy solutions and partnerships. Together with the Embassy of the United States in Sweden, GTI hosted a networking event during SelectUSA directed towards binational climate actors. 

The event explored opportunities to collaborate with Swedish stakeholders, including companies which are leading the development of green technologies and looking to scale in the United States. Discussions centered around green buildings, mobility, batteries and storage, and green steel making.  

GTI at Select USA

GTI hosted professor Sverker Jagers to discuss acceptance research and its important input for decision makers during a brown bag lunch lecture at House of Sweden. 
 
Sverker C. Jagers is a professor in political sciences at Gothenburg University, director of the Centre for Collective Action Research, and the fifth Zennströmprofessor in climate change leadership at Uppsala University. During his lecture, Professor Jagers discussed the many factors which determine individual support for carbon tax policies. Perceptions of how fair these taxes are one of the most salient factors hindering or strengthening support. 

Professor Jagers also introduced his paper, "Meta-analyses of fifteen determinants of public opinion about climate change taxes and laws," which surveyed over 89 datasets across 33 countries. By comparing different case studies, Professor Jagers emphasized why certain carbon taxes are embraced by the public and succeed in their long-term aims. He explained that the carbon tax in Canada garnered greater support than a similar tax in France precisely because Canadians were later compensated for their contribution, effectively recycling revenues. Presenting carbon taxes as steering policies, whereby they are linked to other policy mechanisms like a compensation scheme, effectively boosts public acceptance and, ultimately, reduces emissions. 

Read more about Professor Jagers' research on public opinion and climate taxes [here](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-022-01297-6).

Climate Acceptance Research

October 25th GTI hosted a digital impact workshop centered around Swedish strength areas within industrialized construction, wood construction and solutions to lower emissions from buildings during construction and usage.

In the workshop with 17 participants from Sweden and the U.S., solutions to lower emissions in the construction of buildings were brought forward. Swedish companies, products and experts have had a significant impact in accelerating the industrialization of construction in the US. In the workshop participants also shared solutions to improve indoor air quality, reduce energy consumption and increase the smartness of the house. Based on these insights on leading solutions, the workshop set out to capture areas of potential collaboration to accelerate the green transition through the construction of a wooden demo houses as a pilot to demonstrate solutions and drive dialogue around policy – including both buildings and transport.

Participants in the workshop represented a variety of expertise areas, from architecture, wood industry, building companies, energy management and green tech solution providers. he workshop was strengthened by great engagement from speakers and a shared interest to push industry boundaries.

Now we are looking forward to continuing developing a program to take the ideas further. If you find this area interesting, please do not hesitate to reach out to the GTI team. 


GTI Impact Workshop

Find information about our upcoming and past events

Events

Past events