The Ministers of Co-operation (MR-SAM) has initiated a Nordic cross-sectoral collaboration on the green transition of the transport sector. A total of 26 million DKK from their funds will finance the collaboration from 2021 to 2024.

Responsibility for the collaboration has been delegated to the Council of Ministers for Energy Policy (MR-E), who have assigned Nordic Energy Research to act as secretariat and coordinator. Nordic Energy Research’s task is therefore to assist the Steering Group, which shall provide advice on how co-operation on green transport is best coordinated and how the funds are best used during the period.

Since the collaboration is truly cross-sectoral, the Steering Group consists of representatives from five Councils of Ministers/Committees of Senior Officials, as well as observers from three institutions.

Members from the Councils and Committees include:

  • Energy
  • Environment & Climate
  • Industry
  • Regional policy
  • Fisheries, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (FJLS)

The three observing institutions are:

  • Nordic Energy Research
  • Nordic Innovation
  • Nordregio

Budget

The 26 million DKK allocated by MR-SAM is divided into annual amounts over the four year period from 2021 to 2024.

  • 2021: 5,6 million DKK
  • 2022: 6,6 million DKK
  • 2023: 6,7 million DKK
  • 2024: 7,1 million DKK

As of early December 2022, four projects have been granted funding from the budget:

  • Nordic roadmap for the introduction of sustainable zero-carbon fuel in shipping
  • Hydrogen from green surplus energy to isolated areas for sea and land-based transport
  • Nordic Cycle Power Network – Cycling as a tool for a green transition of the land-based transport in the Nordic Region
  • Electric Aviation and the effects on the Nordic regions

2,89 million DKK of the budget remains until 2024. In 2023, the Steering Group is expected to recommend to Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Energy Policies (EK-E) how these remaining funds can be used.

What projects can receive funding?

The purpose of the cross-sectoral transport effort is to contribute to the green transition of the transport sector, in connection to energy policy such as electrification, power-2-X, use of biofuel and other green propellants related to transport on land, at sea and in the air, as well as smarter planning for mobility and logistics.

The budget of 26 million DKK may be used to co-finance projects that the five participating Councils of Ministers (Energy, Environment & Climate, Industry, Regional policy, and FJLS) are working with in accordance with the joint 2021–2024 action plan.

Five key criteria for potentially supported projects:

  • A close connection to energy policy
  • Transport on land, at sea, and in the air
  • Smart planning for mobility and logistics
  • The projects should be cross-sectoral
  • The projects should complement and/or build on the project input that the sectors gave to the joint 2021–24 action plan

The five participating Councils of Ministers and Nordic institutions can submit proposals of projects that meet these criteria. Proposals will then be considered by the Steering Group, which will make a recommendation to the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Energy Policies (EK-E).

The decision on funding will be made by EK-E.