Seminar Series on the European Green Deal: Political Priorities and Opportunities for Business Collaboration

The seminar series aim to equip Norwegian Embassies in Europe with tools to follow up Norwegian priorities, to identify opportunities in European markets or programmes and to connect these with Norwegian solutions. Seminar 3 and 4 also offer matchmaking between the Embassies and Norwegian businesses from Business Norway.

The European Green Deal is the most important driver for the green transition in Norway. It is also a strategy forgreen technology, industry and growth offering opportunities for Norwegian innovation. Norwegian businesses and research institutions have knowledge, experience and technology needed to bring solutions in the green transition. Cooperation with the Embassies can spur these solutions in the European Green Deal.

Seminar Series

The series consists of five seminars organised each Thursday over a period of five weeks. Recordings will be available here.

The seminars are supported by the digital course “The European Green Deal: Political Priorities and Opportunities for Business Collaboration” on the Learning Platform for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The recordings will also be made available online at Innovation Norway’s Competency Centre.

The course will also allow for communication among participants in a dedicated forum to help foster further cooperation.

Seminar 1: The European Green Deal and Norwegian Political Priorities

Date: Thursday 20 January at 1200 – 1300

Seminar 1 focuses on the political aspects of Norway’s follow-up of the European Green Deal in terms of priorities, focus areas, and continued work.

Welcome and introduction by Mr. Kjetil Elsebutangen, Special Adviser, Section for Nordic and Baltic Affairs and the European Green Deal, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Panel debate:

• Mr Eivind Vad Petersson, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,
• Ms Elin Økstad, Ministry of Climate and Environment
• Mr Håkon Haugli, CEO Innovation Norway

See the video on YouTube here.

Seminar 2: How to identify opportunities and connect relevant actors and projects?

Date: Thursday 27 January at 1100 – 1300

The seminar will seek to answer the question of how the Embassies can contribute to connecting opportunities and actors, including how the EEA and Norway Grants, and/or other relevant public funds can contribute.

Welcome and introduction by Mr Kjetil Elsebutangen, Special Adviser, Section for Nordic and Baltic Affairs and the European Green Deal, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Panel debate:

• Mr Marius Vahl, National Expert, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, EU Commission
• Helene Friis, Director, Strategic Positioning, Innovation Norway including the Explorer -the official Norwegian marketplace for green solutions.
• Ms Ragna Fidjestøl, Senior Adviser on EEA and Norway Grants, Section for Central Europe and the EEA Norway Grants, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Mr Magnar Ødelien, Director of EEA and Norway Grants, Innovation Norway
• Mr Tore Myhre, International Director, Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)

See the video on YouTube here.

Seminar 3: Prioritised sectors and opportunities - CCS and renewable energy (offshore wind and solar power)

Date: Thursday 3 February at 1000 – 1200

The seminar will focus on CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) and renewable energy, including offshore wind and solar energy. The aim is to provide updates on relevant research and recent developments within each field, and to explore opportunities for the Norwegian private sector and how Embassies can contribute.

Welcome and introduction by Mr Kjetil Elsebutangen, Special Adviser, Section for Nordic and Baltic Affairs and the European Green Deal, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Panel debate:

• Mr Ragnar Semundseth, Counsellor for Energy, Mission of Norway to the EU
• Mr Erik Stensrud Marstein, Head of Research, Solar Power Systems, Institute for Energy and Technology (IFE)
• Ms Eli Wærum Rognerud, Head of Programme, High Potential Opportunities, Innovation Norway (offshore wind)
• Ms Helene Fladmark, Managing Director, Eyde Innovation Center (renewable energy)

See the video on YouTube here.

Seminar 4: Prioritised sectors and opportunities – green shipping, hydrogen, and batteries

Date: Thursday 10 February at 1000 – 1200

This seminar will focus on green shipping, hydrogen, and batteries. The aim is to provide updates on relevant research and recent developments within each field and to explore opportunities for the Norwegian private sector and how Embassies can contribute.

Welcome and introduction by Mr. Kjetil Elsebutangen, Special Adviser, Section for Nordic and Baltic Affairs and the European Green Deal, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Panel debate:

• Mr Alexander Burmo, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
• Mr Simon Clark, Battery Research Scientist, Department for Sustainable Energy Technology, SINTEF
• Mr Narve Mjøs, Director, Green Shipping Programme, DNV
• Mr Bjørn Ottar Elseth, Cluster Manager, H2Cluster – the Norwegian Hydrogen Cluster

See the video on YouTube here.