ABSTRACT
The glacial pace at which countries have been enacting reforms to mitigate climate change only slows environmental degradation, rather than prevent it. The Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland have consistently ranked among the top 20 green countries on the Environmental Performance Index. The Nordic Council of Ministers has adopted Generation 2030 to achieve the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, and the Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region was established to cater to issues relating to environmental degradation. This chapter discusses green approaches undertaken by these nations in infrastructure, energy, and waste management to contribute toward a realizable and sustained vision for the planet. Projects like “Soul of Norrebro” and “Puumera” have resulted in water and energy conservation, “Body Heat” and “Hydrogen fuel technology” have provided alternate energy resources, and “Pant recycling” and “Stationary pneumatic refuse collection” have aided mass recycling. These projects provide models for all nations and call for international cooperation among diverse partners to initiate global action.
