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Roger Hildingsson, photo.

Roger Hildingsson

Researcher

Roger Hildingsson, photo.

Strategies for greening the economy in three Nordic countries

Author

  • Jamil Khan
  • Bengt Johansson
  • Roger Hildingsson

Summary, in English

Green economy is a concept frequently used by governments and international institutions to promote sustainable transformations of the economy. In this study, we explore how the transition towards a green economy is being conceptualised in policy terms in the three Nordic countries Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Comparing these cases, we analyse strategic policy documents on green growth, circular economy, bioeconomy, low-carbon transitions, and sustainable development. While comprehensive national policy strategies on the green economy are lacking, the studied documents display policy approaches that reflect different aspects of a green economic transformations, such as low-carbon developments, promotion of environmental technology sectors, and enhanced circularity. Our findings indicate the presence of a transformative Nordic model for greening the economy, in which the state plays an active role in supporting innovation and technology development, facilitating cooperation among societal actors, and securing social welfare and human wellbeing. It is underpinned by optimism about the opportunity to reconcile economic growth with sustainable development, while more radical beyond growth approaches are strikingly absent, reflecting their marginal roles in the established policy discourse of these countries. Rather, concepts such as circular economy, sharing economy, and sustainable production and consumption are highlighted as central for greening the economy.

Department/s

  • Environmental and Energy Systems Studies
  • Department of Political Science
  • BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate

Publishing year

2021

Language

English

Pages

592-604

Publication/Series

Environmental Policy and Governance

Volume

31

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Economics
  • Environmental Management
  • Public Administration Studies

Keywords

  • green economy
  • green growth
  • low-carbon transition
  • Nordic countries
  • policy analysis
  • policy narratives

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1756-932X