BackingMinds’ Post

BackingMinds 🤩! Thanks for a great article in Dagens Industri on the need for The Swedish Government & policy to take climate leadership! To drive climate action we need the interplay between policy makers, capital, entrepreneurs and the science to show direction and the safe operating space for the net zero economy. In Sweden and EU VCs and entrepreneurs lead the way, we now need many governments to step-up, and EU to keep the Green transition and innovation high on the agenda. At The Drop we had a very constructive conversation about this, led by Cleantech for Europe, and also how VCs and other investors could collaborate with peers, but also with their portfolio companies, also pushing the policy and advocacy agenda for green demand, which I have had the privilege to do, previously in Doconomy, now in Exponential Roadmap Initiative. Thanks Sara Wimmercranz and Susanne Najafi that you show the way and walk the talk, and for the excellent suggestions (my translation of the proposals highlighted in the article): "This is what entrepreneurs and investors need from policymakers to continue investing: 🌟 A Shared Vision and Clear Goals Unite the government, cross-party politics, and the business sector around a national plan for new technologies and the green transition. Conduct annual follow-ups with accountability for results and actions. 🎯 Stimulate the Achievement of Visions Prioritize strategic investments in areas like battery production, energy storage, and climate-neutral cement to create export sectors and reduce reliance on global supply chains. Establish incentive structures, such as tax breaks, that benefit future-oriented companies while phasing out support for fossil emissions. 🛠️ Address the Energy Issue Pragmatically Ensure energy production through technology neutrality, incorporating solutions that work both in the short and long term. 🆗 Streamline Permits and Secure Competence Simplify permitting processes to shorten approval times—drawing inspiration from Finland. Invest heavily in research and education within AI, energy, and technology to bridge the gap between current and future workforce needs. Build Europe's internal market with a unified corporate structure. 💡 💶 Strengthen Innovation in the Capital Market Promote innovation by having the government act as a customer and reduce risks for private investors. Develop regulations and incentives to retain capital and unicorns in Sweden. Venture capital is driving Sweden's new export industries. Music and gaming have surpassed traditional sectors like clothing and iron ore, not to mention the green transition."

Part of the EU's bold agenda - a new "European Prosperity Plan" that aims to put research, development and innovation at the heart of the EU's economy and to promote Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The bioeconomy and bio-based industries are significant drivers of research, development and innovation - and in a green way. How valuable is the bioeconomy Europe? Our two-yearly report on the "Bioeconomy in Figures" gives a detailed breakdown. https://zurl.co/0oar

TIME IS RUNNING OUT ⌛️ That was the message on the cover of this week’s POLITICO edition. It’s an uncomfortable truth to confront, but nevertheless, Europe is at a critical juncture in the biosolutions field. While the EU has long been a beacon of environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation, recent trends show that we are falling behind our American and Chinese counterparts. The stark reality is that the pace of European regulation does not match either the vigor of biosolutions innovation or our need for new solutions to combat climate change. We are simply not keeping up with the urgent demands. This is a pressing issue for our ecological future and sustainability, but also a matter of international competition, potentially compromising our economic resilience and global leadership. 🇪🇺 But there is hope for Europe. There is still time to protect European prosperity. We already have the talent, the resources and the historical commitment to lead the world in sustainable innovation. Now, we must accelerate our efforts in updating regulatory frameworks to better support biosolutions innovation. Achieving this requires simplifying the process for bringing the products and technologies onto the European market, enhancing funding for research and scaling and creating awareness of biosolutions’ potential. 🌱 Time is indeed running out. What we need now is action, urgency and a collective commitment to seize the moment. There is hope for Europe, and we can still make it. 💪

Horizon Europe represents a significant leap forward in the European Union's commitment to fostering research and innovation. 💡 As the successor to Horizon 2020, it is endowed with a substantial budget of €95.5 billion, which underscores the EU's determination to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, while also striving to meet the EU Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing its own competitiveness and economic growth. 🌍🥇 The programme is designed not only to advance scientific knowledge and technology but also to ensure that these advances contribute to societal well-being, economic prosperity, and sustainable development across the EU. 🔬🎋 🌱 By facilitating collaborations across borders and disciplines, Horizon Europe aims to maximize the impact of research and innovation efforts, thereby making a tangible difference in people's lives and the health of the planet. This is the UE ! ❤️ (https://www.horizon-eu.eu/)

Hear more about the #europeanblueforum supported by CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency and other #sustainableblueeconomy activities at the #EuropeanParliament.

The policy steps we need to take to unleash the potential of wood to help decarbonise the European built environment set out here:

📅 In February, at the United Nations House in Brussels, UNIDO, the Government of Ukraine, and the European Union launched the Ukraine Industrial Diagnostics Study to guide Ukraine's Green Recovery. The Industrial Diagnostic Study by UNIDO is a crucial step towards a green industrial recovery program for Ukraine, emphasizing the transition to a circular economy—less resource use, less waste, and the creation of new markets for recycling and reuse. 🌍♻️ The launch event served as a unique platform for key stakeholders from Ukraine, the EU, and UNIDO to discuss and strategize on the essential steps needed for the country’s future industrialization and green recovery. Watch the video below to hear more from the Green Industrial Recovery Programme and our partners about Ukraine’s journey towards a sustainable and resilient industrial future. 🎥- https://lnkd.in/gn7tjxHm Read the report -https://lnkd.in/gBrfgC43 With H.E. Mr. Alexander Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Mr. Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Minister for European Integration, Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Ms. Nadiya Bigun, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, H.E. Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, Dr. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General, Directorate-General for Environment European Commission, Ms. Maija Celmiņa, Member of Cabinet of Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Stephan Sicars, Senior Coordinator for Ukraine, UNIDO, Ms. Solomiya Omelyan, Chief, Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, UNIDO, Mr. Christophe Yvetot, UNIDO Representative to the European Union, Mr. Nicola Cantore, Research and Industrial Policy Officer, UNIDO

A new report coordinated by the The Club of Rome - Austrian Chapter , Millennium Institute and the BOKU Center for Global Change and Sustainability, and with contributions from 100 experts and decision-makers, applies the Earth4All framework to Austria. The Giant Leap scenario showcases the immense potential for Austria to achieve almost all sustainability goals by 2050 through five extraordinary turnarounds in inequality, food, energy, poverty, and empowerment, and the Too Little Too Late scenario warns of stagnation and increased crises if current trends continue. The report highlights the strong support among Austrians for transformative action, with 65% recognising the urgent need for rapid measures to protect against climate change and other environmental risks. Notably, 63% support wealth taxation, 72% back pollution taxes, and 67% favour higher corporation taxes to fund this essential transformation. Produced after extensive stakeholder engagement, public events, and expert interviews, the report combines scientific modelling with practical policy recommendations tailored to Austria's unique context. The findings call for a new vision of an #Earth4All to drive sustainable action and ensure policy acceptance. Read the full report 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dDZxSx-a #EconomicTransformation #ClimateAction #SocialEquity #ClubOfRome

As both a Swedish 🌍 and American 🌎 citizen, I am particularly excited to be part of this week's🍃 Green Transition Summit held on October 22-23 in Washington, DC 🏛 at the Embassy of Sweden in USA. This event, organized by the Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative, brings together leaders and experts to discuss innovative solutions for green, equitable, and livable cities. 🌱 The Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative (GTI) promotes collaboration between Embassy of Sweden in USA and the US to drive sustainable innovation and green technology adoption. Led by the Embassy of Sweden in USA, Business Sweden, the Swedish Energy Agency, and Vinnova, the initiative aims to reduce global emissions and enhance bilateral trade. GTI targets stakeholders such as governmental agencies, private corporations, and investors to foster partnerships that advance clean energy and sustainable urban development. I’ll be sharing insights during the panel on “Navigating the Green Financing 💲 Dilemma,” focusing on how we can overcome challenges in securing financing for sustainable projects that meet science-based targets. It’s a vital conversation for the future of green urban development, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it! The Green Transition Summit is an initiative that aims to accelerate the shift towards sustainable urban development by fostering collaboration between the US and Sweden. It showcases cutting-edge technologies, groundbreaking projects like the redevelopment, and offers networking opportunities for industry industry professionals. Thanks to Will Sibia and Linda Andrén for the invite. 🌍 IFC Climate & Sustainability EDGE Buildings Building Resilience Index #GreenTransitionSummit #Sustainability #UrbanDevelopment #GreenFinance #ClimateAction #IFC #SustainableCities #Innovation #USSwedenCollaboration

On September 9th, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗵𝗶 presented the Report on 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, detailing the challenges and the practical proposals for the European Union to overcome them. (𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴 4:30-26:20)   In his crisp and charismatic speech, Mr. Draghi presented the 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 on which the strategy for a resilient Union should rest: 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. As a 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 working for a technology consultancy, I pride myself to work at the intersection of the first two, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 (to which I may add the 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 pillar mentioned by 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗻 in the Q&A).   I wanted to share the key elements that struck me the most: 1. 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 must and can be a 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. However, if 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 are 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 to climate goals, there exist the risk that decarbonization may 𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. 2. 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 are still designed upon an 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 centered on 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 and 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗮𝘀, even though it is clearly no longer the case (𝘦.𝘨. 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 20% 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘹, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 60% 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴). We must overcome the 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 - vested interests, financial rents and tax revenues for national budgets - to be able to 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 of lower-cost 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 to consumers (households and industries). 3. Besides mandatory regulation, the EU ought to 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 strong 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 to drive the development and 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 of 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 to support the sustainability transition.   Of course, we must work on these major challenges 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, so as 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 '𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧'. The 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 and 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 of people such as Mario Draghi drive the hopes that my everyday job is punching in the right direction!    𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 "𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘈 | 𝘈 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦" 𝘢𝘯𝘥 "𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘉 | 𝘐𝘯-𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴" 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬: https://lnkd.in/dBqptzHN