Nordic Business Call for Clean and Competitive Europe

We urge EU leaders to safeguard and strengthen the EU ETS as the cornerstone of predictable, long-term climate action and competitiveness.

Climate Leadership Coalition in collaboration with

Skift logo
Haga logo

Core asks

1

Ensure a strong, long-term carbon pricing systems​ to create a stable signal for investment and clean value chains​.

2

Build strong lead markets for clean European products​ to enable scale up and reduce demand uncertainty​.

3

Link climate, energy security and resilience​. Nordic strengths support resilience and strategic autonomy.

The call for clean and competitive Europe

The call is a joint Nordic initiative supporting predictable, long‑term climate and industrial policy that strengthens competitiveness, investment and clean growth.

Led by Climate Leadership Coalition, Nordic climate organisations are joining forces in Spring 2026 to amplify this message and gather 200+ signatories​.

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Nordic Businesses and Investors Call on EU Heads of States to deliver industrial and climate transition that drives growth and competitiveness

Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, 5.5.2026

Dear President of the European Council, President of the European Commission, European Heads of States, Members of the European Parliament and National decision makers in Nordic countries,

We, the undersigned Nordic-based companies and investors representing [X] companies with a combined global annual revenue of [Y] and employing [XX] million people are committed to a prosperous, competitive Europe that leads the global clean economy. 

Europe is entering a decisive phase in its climate and industrial transition. Clean technologies, industrial decarbonisation, and energy security should be pursued as an integrated strategy that also strengthens Europe’s economic competitiveness and geopolitical position.

The Nordics offer proof that clean competitiveness is achievable at scale. As the world’s 12th-largest economy, they demonstrate how early investment, technological leadership and market integration can deliver both industrial strength and rapid decarbonisation.

This progress is the result of determined action by companies, paired with political leadership that has put a meaningful price on carbon and established the essential building blocks for the transition. Nordic companies are now leading Europe’s decarbonization trajectory.

The Nordic energy system delivers Europe’s lowest power costs and lowest emissions, a direct result of decades of forward-looking investment in clean generation and deep cross-border market integration. Hydro, onshore and offshore wind, solar and nuclear are all developed across borders with interconnection to provide flexibility, price convergence and resilience; the very attributes Europe now needs to scale.

The EU Emissions Trading System has strengthened the integrity of the Single Market, enabled predictable investment signals for industrial transformation and reduced emissionsremarkably. Through the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, this approach promotes fair competition and encourages trading partners to advance their own carbon pricing systems.

As companies, we are investing at scale and deploying clean solutions across our value chains. But to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and crowd in private capital, we need a clear and predictable policy framework that aligns industrial renewal and energy security with climate action.

To unlock new investments, scale clean value chains, accelerate economic growth and strengthen resilience, we call on European decision‑makers to put in place policies that:

  • Secure a strong and predictable EU Emissions Trading System that serves as a cornerstone for industrial transformation, innovation, and fair competition.

  • Channel ETS auctioning revenues back to industry to finance needed innovations to drive transition.

  • Develop post‑2030 climate policy that secures long‑term investment visibility and combines security, competitiveness, and decarbonisation, rather than treating them as conflicting objectives.

  • Accelerate power‑sector decarbonization and deepen the integrated European energy market by ensuring efficient market operation and securing clean, affordable electricity to support electrification.

Nordic business stands ready to co‑invest, co‑innovate and co‑deliver. A credible, long‑term framework will crowd in private capital, boost productivity, lower energy costs, and strengthen Europe’s strategic resilience.

We thank you for your leadership and remain at your disposal to help turn these commitments into implementation.

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Why a Nordic call now?

Nordic companies are at the forefront of Europe's clean transition. Yet, sustained investment relies on predictable investment and a stable, enabling policy framework. The Nordic Letter brings an unified voice at a critical moment, when carbon pricing is being questioned and the EU needs growth and competitiveness.

Nordic elections create a window for alignment

  • Sweden & Denmark will have elections in 2026 followed by Finland in 2027​
  • National positions will feed into EU negotiations​

Nordic businesses have a clear opportunity to align ahead of these political cycles​.

Nordic map

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Why join the Nordic Business Call?

Join the Nordic Call to help shape a unified business message on climate, competitiveness and the long‑term policy conditions companies need to invest and grow.​

Why your participation matters​

  • You bring a credible Nordic business voice on clean industry and competitiveness, strengthening the overall Nordic message

How to participate​

  • Join as a signatory to the call

  • Support the collection of signatures with referrals​

  • Take part in Nordic‑wide visibility and help amplify the message

Benefits of your collaboration​

  • A unified, credible Nordic business voice at a decisive EU policy moment​

  • Builds on impactful Nordic cooperation on carbon pricing and industrial renewal

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact olli.lappalainen@clc.fi.

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Partners

CLC logo

Climate Leadership Coalition

The Call is initiated and led by CLC, which is a leading non‑profit climate business network, bringing together companies whose members collectively employ over a million people worldwide. Through collaboration with companies, cities, Nordic governments and European policymakers, CLC advocates for market‑shaping mechanisms with global reach to drive a fair transition and decarbonize value chains beyond EU borders.

Haga logo

The Haga Initiative

The Haga Initiative is a network of large companies, in Sweden. Together we show leadership for a profitable business sector without negative climate impact. Haga Initiative wants to influence policy decisions to promote climate action. We believe that high climate ambitions provide great opportunities, create jobs, strengthen the Swedish welfare and make Swedish business more competitive worldwide.

Skift

Skift

Skift is Norway’s leading business-led climate initiative, bringing together forward-looking companies committed to accelerating the green transition. Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy, Skift helps businesses cut emissions, adopt sustainable solutions, and push for stronger climate policies.