Norra Scen - Arena for green transition
Norra Scen is a seminar series on the green transition in northern Sweden at Vetenskapens hus in Luleå. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and northern Sweden has a unique opportunity to lead the world in the sustainable transition. At Norra Scen, we discuss what is required for the transition to succeed, including opportunities and challenges, the green industry investments and community development in northern Sweden and the interaction between industry, academia and society. The seminar series Norra Scen – Arena for green transition is a collaboration between IVA Nord, LKAB, Luleå University of Technology, Region Norrbotten SSAB and Vattenfall.
Culture is the backbone of societal transformation
In January of 2025, roundtable discussions were held on the importance of culture in societal transformation. The aim was to increase awareness of Norrbotten’s unique opportunities and challenges, while also building new bridges between various representatives within society.
The societal transformation and the green transition of industry are creating both major opportunities and challenges in Norrbotten. In the development work taking place in the region, culture is a natural and fundamental driving force. But culture is not only about creativity and employment—it also plays a vital role in challenging mental images and turning familiar concepts and assumptions upside down. Art and culture contribute to creating a richer society to live in. An active cultural life where citizens meet can promote a more democratic, open, and equitable Norrbotten.
Attracting skilled workers and professionals who choose to settle in Norrbotten is essential for the region’s future and development. The necessary increase in in-migration to the county will bring both opportunities and challenges. Investments in public services, education, and housing are needed to create attractive living environments that encourage people to move to the area.
To understand and respond to the opportunities and challenges brought by this transition, broad engagement and openness to new ideas and perspectives are required. We believe that roundtable discussions provide a valuable platform for dialogue and exchange with decision-makers and key stakeholders.
The table discussions were alternated with short conversations on stage, led by Karin Hübinette. This event was not recorded.
How is welfare prioritised in the green transition?
The industrial transition has received a great deal of attention in recent years. But how does the expansion of industry affect society’s core mission: welfare? In the coming years, welfare services will need to cover more people, and new areas of responsibility are being added. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract and retain staff in healthcare, education, and social care.
How can the public sector attract workers when industry offers significantly higher salaries? How do we avoid organisations competing for and draining each other of essential expertise? What does the welfare sector need to cope with thousands more residents? And what is the state of crisis preparedness?
Panel discussion
- Ulrika Sundquist, Regional Director, Region Norrbotten
- Linus Sköld (Socialdemokraterna), Member of Parliament
- Jenny Engström, Operations Manager, Råne Älvdal Council, Gunnarsby Parish Economic Association
- Linda Frohm (Moderaterna), Opposition Councillor, Region Norrbotten
The discussion wase moderated by Lenita Ericson.
Recording
The societal value of the green transition
The green transition and reindustrialisation of Norrbotten and northern Sweden is already underway. It must be allowed to happen now. The risks of halting or delaying the processes already set in motion are far too great. The country's competitive advantages are at stake.
If these major projects proceed as planned, they will deliver enormous climate benefits and economic gains – not only for Norrbotten but for Sweden as a whole. This marks the beginning of the next century of Swedish export success. However, continued investment will be required — yet the tax revenues and economic contributions cannot be overstated and will soon become evident both in the short and long term.
Region Norrbotten has commissioned McKinsey & Co. to carry out an impact analysis to outline what the situation could look like as early as 2030. A report that, through clear figures and examples, highlights the societal value — in terms of economy, climate, and demographics.
We are presented with the report by Niklas Berglind, followed by a panel discussion with politicians and representatives from the business sector.
Panel discussion
- Amanda Lind, Spokesperson, Miljöpartiet
- Fredrik Lundh Sammeli, Deputy Chair, Parliamentary social committee
- Mattias Karlsson, Parliamentary group leader
- Claes Nordmark, Chair, Norrbotten’s Municipalities
- Anders Öberg, Chair, Regional Executive Committee
- Viktoria Karsberg, VP Head of Corporate Identity & Communications, SSAB
- Niklas Johansson, Director of Communications, LKAB
- Anne Graf, Head of Regional Affairs, H2 Green Steel
- Katarina Larsson, Chief Strategist for Public Policy Relations, Svenska Kraftnät
The discussion was moderated by Lenita Ericson.
Recording
The environmental permitting process – a guarantee of quality or an obstacle to industrial development?
Norrbotten is undergoing a transformation with sustainability in focus and a need for efficient permitting and approval processes. But how efficient can the process become, who is responsible for what, and whom is it for? Together with national industry organisations, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, industrial companies, and authorities, Norra Scen invites you to a breakfast session for in-depth insight into one of Sweden’s most debated development issues – the environmental permitting process.
National permits and regional development – going hand in hand
Janus Brandin, Director of Regional Development, Region Norrbotten
Panel discussion
Moderator Carl Wangel will lead the discussion with:
- Eva Sundin, Head of the Environment Department, County Administrative Board of Norrbotten
- Niklas Skår, Legal Advisor, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
- Marie Kimming, Head of Project Development for Onshore Wind Power in Sweden, Vattenfall
- Pia Lindström, Director of Environment and Sustainability, LKAB
- Oscar Alarik, Chief Legal Advisor, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
Recording
Can there be 100,000 more people in northern Sweden?
Northern Sweden is facing major challenges as the transformation of society is estimated to generate 100,000 new inhabitants as a result of the extensive investments in fossil-free industry. We invite you to a breakfast seminar where we discuss this.
Thousands of jobs can be created in the new industry, but in order to build a sustainable society, other industries also need large labour injections. Not least, schools, healthcare and care are facing major challenges as Norrbotten grows.
Welcome to a breakfast seminar with our moderator Helena Godotter Karlberg who leads a conversation with Rikard Eriksson and Jonas Thörnqvist about the current situation and the future. Will there be 100,000 more people in northern Sweden?
Rikard Eriksson is Professor of Economic Geography at Umeå University and researches labour markets, migration patterns and regional development. He was recently awarded SEK 43 million in funding to research the industrial transformation in northern Sweden.
Jonas Thörnqvist is a Project manager at Region Norrbotten and works with health care planning linked to the green transition.
Recording
Will Malmbanan be a brake on the social transition?
The railway between Luleå and Narvik carries about 45 percent of the total amount of freight transported by rail in Sweden. Malmbanan is extremely important for the industry in northern Norrland, and thus the whole of Sweden. Sustainable, efficient transport is crucial to the county's competitiveness and attractiveness in a globalised market. The availability of labour and good commuting opportunities mean that Malmbanan also needs to meet the needs of passenger traffic.
In the coming decade, the importance of the Malmbanan will grow further due to the many industries establishing themselves in northern Sweden.
How can the capacity of Malmbanan be increased to enable industry to transport their goods? Is there room for both passenger and freight transport on Malmbanan? Since there are no double tracks on long stretches, the rail network becomes very vulnerable as soon as accidents occur along the way. Many people are reluctant to take the train because it is not reliable. Will freight transport displace passenger transport?
Participants on stage:
- Lisa Ek, moderator
- Ann-Britt Asplund, Sweco
- Björn Svanberg, Sweco
- Carl Wangel, SSAB
- Nils Ahlm, Swedish Transport Administration
- Linda Bjurholt, LKAB
- Marie Torneus, Vy
- Niklas Grönberg, Roadmap for Improved Arctic infrastructure and logistics system
Recording
Critical minerals in a critical situation
The extraction and processing of metals and minerals is central to the green transition. LKAB has recently identified significant amounts of rare earth metals in the Kiruna area, necessary for the production of electric cars and wind turbines. At the same time, a circular industrial park is being planned in Luleå for this purpose.
The eyes of the world are now increasingly focused on northern Sweden, which has the potential to increase the self-sufficiency of these critical raw materials, not only for Sweden but for Europe as a whole. But how can this be done? What are the challenges? And how can more efficient permitting processes be reconciled with various conflicts of interest along the way?
Join us for an important discussion on a current topic with local, national and global dimensions.
Moderator Karin Hübinette discusses these issues with, among others:
- Tobias Bauer, Associate Professor of Ore Geology, Luleå University of Technology
- Karin Börjesson, head of the community department, County Administrative Board
- Mattias Karlsson, group leader (M), Swedish Parliament
- Louise Karlberg, Head of Forestry and Agriculture, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
- Pia Lindström, Director of Sustainability, LKAB
- David Högnelid, Strategy Manager Special Products, LKAB
Recording
The future is electric – but will there be enough electricity?
Most people agree that the future is electric. The electrification of industry, transport and society is one of the keys to meeting the major climate challenge we face. But to reach our climate goals by 2045, Sweden needs more fossil-free electricity production and stable electricity grids. Northern Sweden is no exception.
What are the future electricity needs?
Anna Krook Riekkola, Associate Professor of Energy Engineering, Luleå University of Technology and Mats Billstein, Adjunct Professor of Fluid Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology and Research Manager for Hydropower at Vattenfall R&D.
Will there be enough electricity for everyone?
Moderator Monica Nordlund talks with:
- Niklas Johansson, Director of Communication and Climate, LKAB
- Sandra Grauers, Head of BU Onshore Wind, Vattenfall
- Annika Fredriksson, CEO, Swedish Lapland
Recording
The role of hydrogen in the green transition
In Europe, northern Sweden is a showroom when it comes to hydrogen. It is the key to a fossil-free energy system. Industry accounts for large parts of the greenhouse gases that we emit in the world and to achieve the global climate goals, these emissions must be reduced. For some industrial processes such as steel production, the most promising technology today is to use renewable hydrogen, as well as for the production of fertilisers and some other substances.
In northern Sweden, the journey towards fossil-free steel has been started by LKAB, SSAB, H2 Green Steel, Grupo Fertiberia and others. The world's eyes are turning to our region to follow a development that is at the forefront and Luleå University of Technology is helping to accelerate that development. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about hydrogen and take part of different actors' views on why a large-scale use of hydrogen in industry is so important.
Introduction
Cecilia Wallmark, moderator and Director of Luleå University of Technology's hydrogen initiative.
What is hydrogen and what does it mean for the region?
Moderator talks with Erik Elfgren, Associate Professor of Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, and Ylva Sardén, strategist at Region Norrbotten.
Panel discussion on the potential of hydrogen for industry
Stefan Savonen, Group Head of Energy & Climate at LKAB
Tomas Hirsch, Group Head of Energy and Emissions Trading at SSAB
Mikael Nordlander, Head of Industrial Cooperation at Vattenfall.
Sweden's strategy and the future of hydrogen
Moderator talks with Jazaer Dawody, Senior Officer/Resource Efficient Society at the Swedish Energy Agency.
Summary and Q&A session
Recording
Where will everyone live?
The planned establishments and investments in northern Sweden are expected to attract tens of thousands of new Norrbotten residents who actively choose to live here. This requires services, communication, culture and, not least, housing.
How will everything be financed? How do we build for a sustainable future? What responsibility does the state have in the event of a major settlement?
Moderator Helena Karlberg leads the discussion with:
- Eva Nordström, government coordinator for sustainable construction in the North
- Anna-Karin Abrahamsson, County Administrative Board of Norrbotten
- Linus Niva, head of community transformation LKAB
- Alexander Kult, coordinator community transformation Gällivare municipality
- Mia Ahlstrand, project manager North Sweden Green Deal
- Björn Ekelund, practicing architect and researcher at Luleå University of Technology
Recording
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