In this dissertation, I examine the role of private sector engagement in environmental governance. The relationship between mainstream environmentalism and the private sector has moved from one of general hostility to one of constructive engagement in recent times. As a result, the traditional distinctions between environmental non-governmental organizations and private corporations have become blurred, making way for public-private hybrids, facilitated by frameworks of philanthropy, sponsorship, and corporate social responsibility. Connected to these broader reconfigurations in environmental governance are simultaneous alterations in the normative framework of mainstream environmentalism. Ideologically, environmental policy and neoliberalism are now intertwined, entangling assumptions about nature and culture, and reflected in the popularization of environmental protection mechanisms that are deeply embedded in the values of the market economy. Analyzing particular examples of such engagements, and informed by Gramscian theory, I analyze the connections between rising corporate presence in mainstream environmentalism and broader normative and practical change, focusing, in particular, on the frameworks of ecomodernism and the Green Economy. I argue that contemporary private sector engagement in environmentalism leads to the support, production and construction of powerful environmentalisms: environmental ideologies and practices that gain power from, not in spite of, prevailing dominant interests. As such, these powerful environmentalisms tend to produce and reproduce elite processes of capitalist production and prioritize instrumental norms of human-nature relations, while marginalizing others. I conclude by outlining suggestions in support of a democratic environmental politics that represents and recognizes a more diverse array of actors, human-nature relationships, and frameworks of environmental care.

В исследовании рассматриваются вопросы развития малого бизнеса с учетом совмещении получения экономической выгоды и снижения негативного воздействия от их деятельности на окружающую среду. Возрастающая роль международных экологических организаций вместе с трендом «зеленого потребления» влекут за собой меры, которые компании вынуждены принимать, чтобы снижать свое негативное воздействие на окружающую среду. В работе авторами выявлена проблема внедрения принципов и разработке инструментов оценки эффективности деятельности субъектов малого бизнеса в области экологии. Данная проблема тесно связана с реализацией стратегии экологически ориентированного предпринимательства как одного из важнейших направлений экологической модернизации процессов производства и потребления. Авторами приводятся рекомендации по внедрению системы экологического менеджмента в деятельность малых предприятий. Также дается эколого-экономическая оценка эффективности деятельности субъекта экологического предпринимательства в сфере малого бизнеса. Научная новизна заключается в совершенствовании методологии и методического инструментария внедрения системы экологического менеджмента на предприятиях малого бизнеса. / The study examines the development of small businesses, taking into account the combination of obtaining economic benefits and reducing the negative impact of their activities on the environment. The growing role of international environmental organizations, together with the trend of “green consumption”, entails measures that companies are forced to take in order to reduce their negative impact on the environment. In the work, the authors identified the problem of introducing the principles and developing tools for assessing the effectiveness of small businesses in the field of ecology. This problem is closely related to the implementation of the strategy of environmentally oriented entrepreneurship as one of the most important areas of environmental modernization of production and consumption processes. The authors provide recommendations on the implementation of the environmental management system in the activities of small businesses. An ecological and economic assessment of the effectiveness of the activity of the subject of environmental entrepreneurship in the field of small business is also given. The scientific novelty lies in the improvement of the methodology and methodological tools for the implementation of the environmental management system at small businesses.

South Africa and the rest of the world currently face an exacerbating threat of environmental degradation, which can be partly ascribed to the fact that some parts of society still place economic growth as a priority over environmental conservation. This study shows that such an approach is only profitable over the short term and actually causes more harm than good. On the other hand, the world is still recovering from the major 2008 global financial crisis. To tip the scale back into balance, it is crucial that economic -, social -, and environmental development be sustainable; from now and into the future. This study recognises that, to achieve sustainable development at all three levels, a transition to a green economy is needed. In essence a green economy requires investment in the environment for the benefit of both society and the economy. This study then goes on to show that ecotourism can be used as a manner to invest in the environment, whilst at the same time uplifting society and improving the economy. Subsequently it is identified as a key driver of a green economy. However, a daunting reality is that ecotourism developments and - activities also threaten the environment. This study therefore argues that ecotourism has to be regulated effectively; otherwise it will not live up to its purpose and may, as a result, curtail South Africa’s efforts of a transition to a green economy, instead of positively contributing to it. This study asks the question: Does South Africa’s environmental legislation provide for the effective regulation of ecotourism? This question is answered by considering whether various relevant pieces of national environmental legislation measure up to certain criteria that is inherent to the effective regulation of ecotourism. Finally this study serves to show that; from an environmental law perspective, and to the extent that this study investigated the ecotourism environment, ecotourism as a phenomenon is regulated effectively in South Africa. However, it appears that there still remains tremendous scope for improvement. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa and the rest of the world currently face an exacerbating threat of environmental degradation, which can be partly ascribed to the fact that some parts of society still place economic growth as a priority over environmental conservation. This study shows that such an approach is only profitable over the short term and actually causes more harm than good. On the other hand, the world is still recovering from the major 2008 global financial crisis. To tip the scale back into balance, it is crucial that economic -, social -, and environmental development be sustainable; from now and into the future. This study recognises that, to achieve sustainable development at all three levels, a transition to a green economy is needed. In essence a green economy requires investment in the environment for the benefit of both society and the economy. This study then goes on to show that ecotourism can be used as a manner to invest in the environment, whilst at the same time uplifting society and improving the economy. Subsequently it is identified as a key driver of a green economy. However, a daunting reality is that ecotourism developments and - activities also threaten the environment. This study therefore argues that ecotourism has to be regulated effectively; otherwise it will not live up to its purpose and may, as a result, curtail South Africa’s efforts of a transition to a green economy, instead of positively contributing to it. This study asks the question: Does South Africa’s environmental legislation provide for the effective regulation of ecotourism? This question is answered by considering whether various relevant pieces of national environmental legislation measure up to certain criteria that is inherent to the effective regulation of ecotourism. Finally this study serves to show that; from an environmental law perspective, and to the extent that this study investigated the ecotourism environment, ecotourism as a phenomenon is regulated effectively in South Africa. However, it appears that there still remains tremendous scope for improvement. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This policy brief deals with the research findings of the collaborative research project “CHAnces IN Sustainability – promoting natural resource based product chains in East Africa” (CHAINS) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the DLR Project Management Agency. It presents the studies investigating the value chains of highland BAMBOO and NATURAL GUM AND RESIN products in Ethiopia as well as GUM ARABIC value chains in Sudan. These products possess high eco¬nomic, social and environ¬mental benefits and untapped potentials. However, their pro-duction and commercialization are con¬strained seriously by various challenges limiting the realization of their potentials. Identified policy options are: • strengthen institutional capacity; • improve infrastructure and support services; • organize necessary information for sustainable utilization planning; • facilitate actors’ communication, innovation and fair partnership. This calls for forest product value chain development that is supported by policy, training, research, technology development and transfer, market linkage that consider private sectors, state, civic organizations, universities and research institutes.

Grounded in an evolutionary approach to environmental sustainability, this thesis adds an understanding of the dynamics of the greening of the economy, particularly highlighting the neglected demand side aspect of the greening of markets. Since the emergence of green food markets in the 1980s and 1990s, this study investigates the role of retail groups in the development of the green food market in Denmark and Brazil. Accordingly, it investigates the rate and the direction of the greening of this process in those markets as well as the convergence and the impact of retailers\' strategizing in the grocery sector. Using the dynamic capabilities framework, it examines why, how and when the strategizing, performance and competitiveness of grocery retail groups co-evolved with the development of the Danish and Brazilian green food markets. This thesis contributes innovatively to the literature on at least three more aspects. Firstly, it advances the existing literature in adding combined qualitative and quantitative longitudinal firm-level data, which is analysed over time through a proposed set of macro (market-level), meso (sectoral-level), and micro (firm-level) dimensions\' indicators of green market analysis. Secondly, it provides the perspectives of the interviewed retail groups and market support stakeholders operating in the Danish and Brazilian green food markets. Thirdly, it provides an estimate of the green food sales in the Brazilian retail sector. Even though this thesis concludes that major retail groups in Denmark and Brazil were not the pioneers in the green food market, their collaboration with specialized organic food producers and market support stakeholders were rather central in making the green food market a viable business case. These retail groups were key players in the evolution of the green food market as they have played a vital role in scaling up the Danish and Brazilian green food markets to higher turnover levels. Furthermore, these retailers sensed the market potential for the green foods in the 1980s and 1990s, and particularly in the 2000s and onwards, and through strategizing have been able to size and transform the green food market in Brazil and Denmark. These retailers\' strategizing and related capabilities building have been key to the innovative changes in their business models, which have become markedly greener in this period due to their role in the development of the Danish and Brazilian green food markets. Finally, as Denmark is at a higher level of green food turnover than Brazil, it suggests a more mature stage of its green economy. / Seguindo uma abordagem evolucionária para sustentabilidade ambiental, esta tese agrega uma compreensão das dinâmicas de esverdeamento da economia, particularmente destacando o aspecto negligenciado da demanda no esverdeamento dos mercados. Desde o surgimento dos mercados de alimentos verdes nas décadas de 1980 and 1990, este estudo investiga o papel dos principais grupos varejistas no desenvolvimento do mercado de alimentos verdes na Dinamarca e no Brasil. Dessa maneira, a taxa e a direção do processo de esverdeamento nesses mercados são investigados, bem como a convergência e o impacto da estratégia dos varejistas no setor supermercadista. Usando o quadro de análise das capacidades dinâmicas, esta tese investiga o por que, como e quando as estratégias, performance e competitividade dos grupos de varejo co-evoluíram com o desenvolvimento dos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Ainda, este estudo contribui de forma inovadora em pelo menos mais três aspectos. Em primeiro lugar, avança-se a literatura existente complementando-a com dados longitudinais qualitativos e quantitativos ao nível da empresa, que são analisados ao longo do tempo através da proposição de um conjunto de indicadores das dimensões macro (nível de mercado), meso (nível setorial) e micro (nível da empresa) para análise do mercado verde. Em segundo lugar, prove-se as perspectivas dos varejistas e stakeholders de suporte do mercado entrevistados, que atuam nos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Em terceiro lugar, estima-se o volume de vendas dos alimentos verdes do setor varejista brasileiro. Embora esta tese conclua que os principais grupos varejistas na Dinamarca e no Brasil não foram os pioneiros do mercado de alimentos verdes, estes em colabolação com produtores especializados em alimentos orgânicos e stakeholders de suporte do mercado foram centrais para tornar o mercado de alimentos verdes um caso de negócios viável. Tais grupos de varejo tiveram um papel decisivo no aumento da escala do volume de negócios dos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Ademais, esses varejistas sentiram o potencial do mercado de produtos alimentares verdes já nas décadas de 1980 e 1990, e particularmente da década de 2000 em diante; e conseguiram através de estratégias específicas dimensionar e transformar o mercado de alimentos verdes na Dinamarca e no Brasil. A elaboração de estratégias e a construção de capacidades específicas desses varejistas foram fundamentais para as mudanças inovadoras em seus modelos de negócios, que se tornaram claramente mais verdes neste período devido ao papel deles no desenvolvimento dos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Finalmente, como a Dinamarca está em um nível mais alto do que o Brasil no consumo de alimentos verdes, isto sugere um estágio mais maduro da economia verde dinamarquesa.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre des travaux réalisés sur les dynamiques organisationnelles de la prévention des risques professionnels, conduits en particulier par l’Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS). L’enjeu central de la thèse est de proposer des modalités d’action qui tiennent compte des réalités du travail et des réalités industrielles. A partir d’interventions menées dans cinq centres de tri des déchets d’emballages ménagers, dans un contexte d’industrialisation de la filière du recyclage, cette recherche vise à mieux comprendre le travail des opérateurs de tri pour identifier des leviers d’action en prévention. Les centres de tri des déchets sont des entités productives inscrites dans le secteur de l’économie verte, dont les enjeux industriels sont porteurs des deux dimensions structurantes du développement durable : la territorialité et la durabilité sociale. La méthode mobilisée vise à proposer une objectivation du travail des opérateurs de tri, tenant compte de la spécificité de ce secteur et dans la perspective d’une prévention durable. Pour cela, une analyse de l’activité a été menée, couplée à l’utilisation de différents outils de confrontation mobilisés auprès des opérateurs de tri, individuellement ou collectivement. Les analyses ont montré que les centres de tri sont des lieux de production inscrits dans leur territoire. Les opérateurs sont amenés à réguler la production en raison des limites du système technique, qui ne tient pas compte du caractère territorialisé des déchets. En effet, les déchets issus des collectes sélectives des ménages qui sont acheminés sur le site en vue d’être triés comportent des caractéristiques territorialisées : en fonction de dimensions économiques et sociales spécifiques au territoire, de dimensions politiques concernant les choix au niveau de la collecte et du tri des déchets, de dimensions liées au mode de consommation et de vie des habitants sur le territoire, de dimensions liées aux caractéristiques morphologiques de l’espace, ou encore d’attractivité du territoire. Cependant, nous avons pu constater que cette dimension n’est pas prise en compte lors de la conception des centres de tri et lors de la mise en place de stratégies de prévention. L’expérimentation d’extension des consignes de tri à laquelle nous avons contribué a même conduit à argumenter que s’opéraient un découplage entre les caractéristiques du système technique et celles du territoire, qui peut engendrer une intensification du travail et ainsi affecter la durabilité du travail. Ces résultats nous permettent de proposer deux orientations pour l’action en prévention afin de contribuer à la conception de systèmes de travail de tri durables. La première vise à mieux identifier la coordination des acteurs de niveaux décisionnels différents : internes à l’entreprise et externes positionnés à l’échelle des territoires. Pour répondre à cet objectif, le champ de l’ergonomie a été déplacé pour mobiliser des cadres théoriques issus d’autres approches disciplinaires, dont celle de l’économie des proximités. Ce déplacement du champ vise à mieux prendre en compte les exigences posées par le réel et à produire des dispositifs mobilisant ces acteurs pour satisfaire l’exigence de transformation effective des situations de travail. La seconde vise à proposer des recommandations pour la conception de systèmes technico-organisationnels plastiques favorables à la santé et à l’efficacité. Les apports de cette thèse conduisent à proposer une approche de la prévention « en adhérence » qui articule les exigences essentielles d’une prévention réglementaire et les réalités industrielles des organisations productives et pour laquelle trois conditions ont ainsi été identifiées : ... / This thesis is a part of the studies carried out on organizational dynamics regarding occupational risks prevention, led in particular in the French National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS). The key issue is to put forward terms and conditions of prevention which take into account the work realities and industrial realities.From interventions carried out in five waste sorting centres for household packaging, in a context of industrialization of the waste recycling sector, this research aims to better understand the work of sorting operator, in order to determine vectors for actions in prevention. The waste sorting centres are productive entities, part of green business sector, where industrial challenges carry two major dimensions of sustainable development: territoriality and social sustainability.The method that we chose aims to put forward an objectification of the waste sorting operator’s work activity, taking into account the specifics of this sector, in the prospect of a sustainable prevention. To do so, an analysis of the work activity, according to the ergonomics work analysis method (EWA) was conducted, complete by several confrontation tools used with workers, both individually and collectively.The results showed that waste sorting centres are production sites located in a specific territorial context. Workers have to manage the production while taking into account the limits of their technical system, faced with waste as a territorialized object. Waste comes from separate households’ collection and is brought in the centre for the purpose of being sorted. It has territorialized characteristics, depending on specific territorial economical and social factors. Additionally, political factors regarding choices in terms of waste collecting and sorting, factors related to the consumption pattern and households’ lifestyle on the territory, factors related to the morphological features of the territory, and related to territorial attractiveness are also considered. However, this dimension is not taken into account during both the waste sorting centres design phase and the implementation of prevention strategies. The national testing phase for an extension of waste sorting instructions that we contributed to led to, argue that a disconnection was taking place between the characteristics of the technical system and the characteristics of the territory. This disconnection may lead to work intensification, directly impacting work sustainability.These results allow us to put forward two directions for actions in prevention in order to contribute to the design of sustainable sorting work systems. The first aims to better identify the coordination between actors belonging to different decision-making levels: some internal stakeholders, within the sorting centres, and external actors, on a territorial scale. To achieve this goal, the field of ergonomics has been shifted to mobilize theoretical frameworks originating from other disciplinary approaches, as proximity economics. This shifting aims to better take into account the requirements of industrial realities, and to produce mechanisms mobilizing these actors to satisfy the need for an effective transformation of work situations. The second direction aspire to put forward recommendations for the design of technical and organizational plastic systems, i.e. systems which leave sufficient rooms of manoeuver, factor for operators’ health, and that make work systems more efficient. The contributions of this thesis lead to develop an approach of prevention « in connection » which articulate the essential requirements of a regulatory prevention, and the industrial realities of the productive organization, for which three requirements have been identified: (i) develop the prevention problem from the knowledge co-production with workers, (ii) articulate work and industrial performance requirements, (iii) including prevention into territorialized industrial projects.

The article reviews the experiences of programs to promote renewable energy in Southeast Asian countries and proposes some learned lessons that can be useful in the context of COP 20 to promote renewable energy.The article analyzes the rates and mechanisms of promotion used in countries such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam, that are led by the World Bank. These mechanisms are used as a legal basis that proposes successful tested alternatives and its usefulness is that renewable energies can be implemented within the current legal structure of international environmental law.In conclusion, it is the correct timing for the COP 20 to secure funds and international legal mechanisms that promote sustainable energy infrastructure. / El presente artículo revisa las experiencias de programas de promoción de energías renovables en países del sudeste asiático a fin de proponer algunas lecciones aprendidas que puedan ser útiles en el contexto de la Vigésima Conferencia de las Partes de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (COP 20) para la promoción de las energías renovables. Asimismo, revisa las tarifas y mecanismos de promoción utilizados en India, Indonesia y Vietnam, impulsados por el Banco Mundial, como una base para proponer alternativas legales ya probadas. Su utilidad es que las energías renovables pueden ser implementadas dentro de la estructura legal actual del Derecho Ambiental Internacional, la COP 20 es el momento de asegurar fondos y mecanismos jurídicos internacionales que promueven una infraestructura energética sostenible.

Grounded in an evolutionary approach to environmental sustainability, this thesis adds an understanding of the dynamics of the greening of the economy, particularly highlighting the neglected demand side aspect of the greening of markets. Since the emergence of green food markets in the 1980s and 1990s, this study investigates the role of retail groups in the development of the green food market in Denmark and Brazil. Accordingly, it investigates the rate and the direction of the greening of this process in those markets as well as the convergence and the impact of retailers\' strategizing in the grocery sector. Using the dynamic capabilities framework, it examines why, how and when the strategizing, performance and competitiveness of grocery retail groups co-evolved with the development of the Danish and Brazilian green food markets. This thesis contributes innovatively to the literature on at least three more aspects. Firstly, it advances the existing literature in adding combined qualitative and quantitative longitudinal firm-level data, which is analysed over time through a proposed set of macro (market-level), meso (sectoral-level), and micro (firm-level) dimensions\' indicators of green market analysis. Secondly, it provides the perspectives of the interviewed retail groups and market support stakeholders operating in the Danish and Brazilian green food markets. Thirdly, it provides an estimate of the green food sales in the Brazilian retail sector. Even though this thesis concludes that major retail groups in Denmark and Brazil were not the pioneers in the green food market, their collaboration with specialized organic food producers and market support stakeholders were rather central in making the green food market a viable business case. These retail groups were key players in the evolution of the green food market as they have played a vital role in scaling up the Danish and Brazilian green food markets to higher turnover levels. Furthermore, these retailers sensed the market potential for the green foods in the 1980s and 1990s, and particularly in the 2000s and onwards, and through strategizing have been able to size and transform the green food market in Brazil and Denmark. These retailers\' strategizing and related capabilities building have been key to the innovative changes in their business models, which have become markedly greener in this period due to their role in the development of the Danish and Brazilian green food markets. Finally, as Denmark is at a higher level of green food turnover than Brazil, it suggests a more mature stage of its green economy. / Seguindo uma abordagem evolucionária para sustentabilidade ambiental, esta tese agrega uma compreensão das dinâmicas de esverdeamento da economia, particularmente destacando o aspecto negligenciado da demanda no esverdeamento dos mercados. Desde o surgimento dos mercados de alimentos verdes nas décadas de 1980 and 1990, este estudo investiga o papel dos principais grupos varejistas no desenvolvimento do mercado de alimentos verdes na Dinamarca e no Brasil. Dessa maneira, a taxa e a direção do processo de esverdeamento nesses mercados são investigados, bem como a convergência e o impacto da estratégia dos varejistas no setor supermercadista. Usando o quadro de análise das capacidades dinâmicas, esta tese investiga o por que, como e quando as estratégias, performance e competitividade dos grupos de varejo co-evoluíram com o desenvolvimento dos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Ainda, este estudo contribui de forma inovadora em pelo menos mais três aspectos. Em primeiro lugar, avança-se a literatura existente complementando-a com dados longitudinais qualitativos e quantitativos ao nível da empresa, que são analisados ao longo do tempo através da proposição de um conjunto de indicadores das dimensões macro (nível de mercado), meso (nível setorial) e micro (nível da empresa) para análise do mercado verde. Em segundo lugar, prove-se as perspectivas dos varejistas e stakeholders de suporte do mercado entrevistados, que atuam nos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Em terceiro lugar, estima-se o volume de vendas dos alimentos verdes do setor varejista brasileiro. Embora esta tese conclua que os principais grupos varejistas na Dinamarca e no Brasil não foram os pioneiros do mercado de alimentos verdes, estes em colabolação com produtores especializados em alimentos orgânicos e stakeholders de suporte do mercado foram centrais para tornar o mercado de alimentos verdes um caso de negócios viável. Tais grupos de varejo tiveram um papel decisivo no aumento da escala do volume de negócios dos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Ademais, esses varejistas sentiram o potencial do mercado de produtos alimentares verdes já nas décadas de 1980 e 1990, e particularmente da década de 2000 em diante; e conseguiram através de estratégias específicas dimensionar e transformar o mercado de alimentos verdes na Dinamarca e no Brasil. A elaboração de estratégias e a construção de capacidades específicas desses varejistas foram fundamentais para as mudanças inovadoras em seus modelos de negócios, que se tornaram claramente mais verdes neste período devido ao papel deles no desenvolvimento dos mercados de alimentos verdes dinamarquês e brasileiro. Finalmente, como a Dinamarca está em um nível mais alto do que o Brasil no consumo de alimentos verdes, isto sugere um estágio mais maduro da economia verde dinamarquesa.

Notre nouveau défi est de protéger l’environnement. Pour réussir cette tâche, beaucoup considèrent qu'il faut réduire notre consommation énergétique. Le développement des énergies renouvelables permettra la réduction des gaz à effet de serre ainsi que notre consommation énergétique. Les pays nordiques ont mis en place des politiques énergétiques différentes selon leurs ressources et leurs expériences. Mais il n'est pas facile de réduire la consommation d’énergie quand les besoins augmentent et qu'il est nécessaire de conserver un haut niveau de vie. Les choix politiques sont très importants surtout pendant ces temps de crise. Il est cependant possible d'utiliser cette nouvelle révolution verte pour relancer l’économie, créer des emplois et bâtir un développement durable respectueux de l’environnement. C'est le défi auquel sont notamment confrontées les économies de l'Europe du nord. Les pays scandinaves partagent la même culture et la même histoire, mais leurs politiques énergétiques sont différentes. Ainsi, la Norvège exploite les hydrocarbures, le Danemark a opté pour l’énergie éolienne, la Suède et la Finlande recourent à l’énergie nucléaire et l’Islande développe son potentiel géothermique. Les choix énergétiques y ont souvent été argumentés par la réduction des gaz à effet de serre, même si la réalité est parfois divergente, les pays nordiques sont sur le bon chemin pour constituer un modèle dans le monde pour le développement durable et pour montrer une nouvelle façon de vivre et une nouvelle façon de penser aux générations futures. / Our new challenge is to succeed in protecting the environment; we have to reduce our energy consumption. The development of renewable energies will decrease greenhouse gases and our energy consumption. The Nordic countries have set up a different energy policy, depending on their own natural resources and know-how. It’s not easy to reduce energy consumption when needs are increasing. Political choices are very important, especially during this crisis period. We must use this new green revolution to revitalize the economy, create employment and build a good sustainable development, which respects the environment and society. The Nordic countries share the same culture, history and language, but their energy policies are different. Norway has chosen hydrocarbons, Denmark wind power, Sweden and Finland nuclear power and Iceland geothermal energy. These choices have always been an argument for the reduction of greenhouse gases, even if the reality is sometimes different. The Nordic countries are setting a good example to the world in sustainable development and showing a new way of life and thinking for the next generations.