Green transition in the Barents region

Sidearrangement High North Dialogue.

Organized by: Centre for High North Logistics , Energi i Nord, the Finnish Presidency of Barents Council, KPB.

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The Finnish Presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council presented on the 15th of February their green transition concept paper in how to accelerate the green transition in the northern most regions in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Green transition is the transformation towards ecologically sustainable economic growth.

There are many bottleneck and challenges in this big picture of the green transition. The need for electricity production, new grids, access to areas for development, access to workforce are heavily debated. We need more of all said the Prime Jonas Gahr Støre at Arctic Fronters conference in Tromsø 1st of February.

How can we solve some of this and how can we work cross border in the Barents region with our Nordic Neighbors to find solutions?
We need to improve the transport system by making it more green/more effective in the North and rig it for the future needs.
What opportunities can give to the industry specially with focus on the maritime and aviation sector in the north?
What type of fuel will be used ? Where can we produce it ?

Several research and innovation projects in Norway, Finland and the European Union are now addressing green shift and technical aspects.

This side-event aims to bring together authorities, researchers and industry to shed light on technological development in the Barents region and what opportunities do we have for co-operation in the maritime/aviation sector.

Participants and presentations:

Facilitator and moderator, maritime panel: Kjell Stokvik, Director, Centre for High North Logistics

Key note: Jari Vilèn , Ambassador Chair of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (CSO), MFA Finland

There will be two energy panels with a Q&A session at the end of each. One with focus on the maritime and one with focus on aviation.

Maritime panel:

• Felix Tschudi, Chair, Tschudi Group
  Dag Rune Olsen, Rector, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
  Erlend Bullvåg, CEO, Kunnskapsparken Bodø
  Petter Bjørkli, Director, Energi i Nord
  Toril Utvik- Director, Arctic unit, Equinor

Aviation panel

Moderator: Marit Magelssen Vambheim, Head of R&D Energi i Nord

• Andreas Kollbye Aks, CEO, Wideroe Zero
  Anders Tørud, Project Manager, KPB
  Ida Larsen, Manager Funding and R&D, Nordic E fuel
  Jan Petter Steinland, Director Strategic Analysis and Transformation, The Civil Aviation Authority of Norway
  Randi Lervik, Project Manager, Lofotkraft