Quantifying and Deploying Responsible Carbon Dioxide Removals in the Nordic Countries

This chapter discusses carbon dioxide removals, which will be needed for climate change mitigation as a supplementary measure to emission reductions. The focus is on the potential of carbon dioxide removals in the Arctic region, by using the Nordic countries as an example. Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland, and their strategies and potentials regarding carbon dioxide removals on a way toward carbon neutrality are studied. Based on a European study modeled with the Pan-European TIMES energy system model, we provide results for cost-optimal mitigation pathways in the Nordic countries. The results and the countries’ climate strategies show that carbon dioxide removals could have a significant role in the mitigation efforts toward 2050. The Arctic region may offer strategic advantages for promoting carbon dioxide removals, due to its access to renewable energy sources such as wind and geothermal power, permanent storage capacity for carbon dioxide via geological storage and mineralization, and availability of biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from the existing point-sources like the pulp and paper industry. However, emission reduction measures should be considered the first priority to avoid overreliance on carbon dioxide removals. Furthermore, the renewable energy targets and policies, as well as targets for carbon dioxide removals, may diverge significantly from the Indigenous communities’ visions and goals. Hence, it is recommended to involve Indigenous communities in the planning and development of these projects throughout their duration.