The SPCC report “On the GREEN WAY: Polish-Scandinavian cooperation on the way to green transformation”, premiered during the European Economic Congress, presents a wide range of cooperation between the Nordic countries and Poland, and outlines the prospects for the development of economic relations between partners.
The report presents the approach of Scandinavian companies to the implementation of the sustainable development strategy, indicates the supporting factors and barriers to green transformation from the point of view of Scandinavian business, and defines the most promising areas of cooperation between Poland and Scandinavia.
The publication focuses on two areas: the energy transition and the circular economy, and the activities of enterprises are illustrated by twenty implemented green practices.
POLISH-SCANDINAVIAN COOPERATION PERSPECTIVES
Despite the difficult geopolitical circumstances, there is hope because we are not alone in this situation. Our Scandinavian partners want to engage in the development of the energy sector and support the local Polish partners in implementing new technologies and the circular economy model.
This partnership means credibility, trust, knowledge and experience, including the difficult ones. All that our Nordic neighbours are willing to share with us. It is all the more important because we no longer have time to make mistakes that others have already made – said Agnieszka Zielińska, Managing Director of the SPCC, in her opening speech at the 14th European Economic Congress
ENERGY
Contribution to building an independent and green energy system
Examples of the Polish-Scandinavian partnerships cited during the debate confirm the crucial role of the energy sector in these relations.
Equinor’s and Polenergia’s offshore projects, investments in renewable energy sources and IKEA’s zero-emission strategy, cross-border grid connections, the SwePol Link high-voltage submarine cable line, or the Baltic Pipe, a key element in improving the security of supply, are just some of them.
The speakers emphasised the role of renewable energy; without RES, it would not be possible to ensure Poland’s energy security.
– The volume of renewable energy produced by Equinor in the next five years will increase tenfold. By 2030 we plan to reach a net installed RES capacity of 12 16 GW. Two-thirds of this capacity will come from offshore wind energy – pointed out Marcin Wisniewski, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Equinor Poland.
CLOSED-CIRCUIT ECONOMY
The negative consequences of climate change increasingly directly affect businesses and societies.
Corporate social responsibility is becoming particularly important in the context of the current geopolitical situation.
Meanwhile, the circularity index of the European Union countries, calculated by Eurostat as the ratio of recycled and returned materials to the economy to domestic material consumption, is only 12.8%; it is growing but very slowly.
Consumers increasingly expect businesses to lead in introducing the circular economy. They also look more and more favourably at goods produced using recycled materials, which is confirmed by the experience of Stena Recycling Polska and TOMRA.
In January 2022, Stena Recycling conducted a survey in five markets (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Poland). “Results show that 8 out of 10 consumers think it is important or very important that manufacturers use recycled materials in their products,” said Lars Ibsen, Managing Director of Stena Recycling Poland.
Over the last few years, there has been a considerable change in customer attitudes. To take full advantage of this momentum, we need an effective deposit system that ensures high levels of waste collection with recyclable quality.
Experience in countries with bail systems, as part of a comprehensive approach to waste and resource management, confirms that the average collection rate for waste included in the system is very high and reaches around 90%. On the other hand, the vast majority of the collected products are recycled as high-quality secondary raw material. What is important, a wide range of materials is included in the system, including PET and aluminium cans – emphasises Anna Sapota, Vice President of Public Affairs for Central and Northern Europe at TOMRA.
The potential for Polish-Nordic cooperation is enormous. We have the technologies and expertise needed for a rapid transformation. I am convinced that the Baltic Sea region can become an area of energy integration and a leader in the circular economy – concluded Agnieszka Zielińska.
Partners and participants of the SPCC session “Polish-Scandinavian cooperation on the way to green transition” during the 14th European Economic Congress in Katowice:
Ole Toft Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Poland
Gunnar Haglund, Counselor at the Embassy of Sweden in Poland
Carsten Nilsen Chairman Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce
Agnieszka Zielińska Managing Director Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce
Lars Ibsen CEO Stena Recycling Polska
Jakub Mach, Country Manager Cold Chain Logistics , Maersk Polska
Wiktoria Płocha, Sustainability Business Partner, IKEA Retail Polska
Marek Roszak, Market Area Manager, Poland and Baltics, DNV Energy Systems
Anna Sapota, Vice President Public Affairs Eastern Europe North, TOMRA
Marcin Wiśniewski, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Equinor Polska
Report’s partners:
Equinor Polska | IKEA Polska | Stena Recycling Polska | TOMRA | KMD Polska | Law Firm Peter Nielsen & Partners | VELUX Polska
Content Partner:
CSR Consulting
The On the GREEN WAY project is under the honorary patronage of the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden accredited in Poland