Scandinavian Innovation Forum 2022

Are you interested in green supply-chains and innovative collaborations that will help accelerate the way towards a carbon-free future?

The Scandinavian Innovation Forum is an in-person event, in collaboration with NACC-MA, the Embassy of Sweden, and the Embassy of Norway. The forum will bring together innovative leaders from industry, innovation hubs, politics, and academia to explore the U.S. demand for green material and Scandinavia’s supply-driven innovations. 

  • Connect with others in the industry, potential partners, innovation institutes, and government officials.
  • Learn from entrepreneurs, business leaders, and inspirational speakers. 
  • Explore the synergies and opportunities Scandinavian innovation can create for the green transition and decarbonization of supply-chains in the U.S.
  • Understand Scandinavia’s role in the green transition. 

At the Scandinavian Innovation Forum, we will highlight groundbreaking innovation in supply chains facing increased market demand – the production of batteries and metals. Sweden and Norway have recently achieved significant progress towards a carbon-free future in these industries. The governments have long fostered innovation and entrepreneurship, and companies commit to being part of the green transition. From incubators to energy-intense industries, everyone is stepping up to the challenge to innovate and to do their part in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Through a culture that encourages innovative thinking and applying sustainable methods and technologies, Scandinavia can be trusted as a partner for the future demand of green supply chains. 

DISCOVER THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

The supply chain decarbonization presents a giant untapped opportunity for international climate action. President Biden has made combating climate change a top priority and vowed to cut U.S. carbon pollution in half by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and put the nation on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

To enable this green transition that is in motion across the U.S., it is essential to secure resilient supply chains of clean technology in cooperation with like-minded, closely connected allies. Even though both the U.S. and the Scandinavian countries are considered some of the top innovative countries globally, and new technologies and start-ups are on the rise, the challenge of finding solutions needed for the transition is real. Cooperation and commitment from both the public and private sectors are necessary for a shift to evolve. 

                                                       THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

                          

             

  

 

PROGRAM  

Green Supply Chains in a Carbon-free Future 

2:00PM – 5:00PM: Forum 

5:00PM – 6:30PM: Networking reception 

Location: Atlantic Ocean Hall, The Royal Embassy of Norway, Washington, DC 

 

AGENDA 

2:00PM: Registration & Networking 

2:30PM: Welcome by NACC-MA/SACC-DC  

2:35PM: Ambassadors’ Opening Remarks Anniken Krutnes, Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. and Karin Olofsdotter, Swedish Ambassador to the U.S. 

Scandinavian innovation, industry and political establishment are committed to climate goals that require traditional polluting industries to be part of a collective and significant change. 

3:00PM: Keynote by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen and Q&A by Daniel Silverberg, Managing Partner at Capstone

3:15PM: Green Supply Chain – Steel & Aluminum 

The metal industries are at a crossroad, facing considerable challenges in international trade and competitiveness but also tremendous business opportunities. Steel and aluminum are vital materials serving key markets such as mobility and construction and are closely integrated into these value chains. Global demand is predicted to increase significantly over the coming years for both aluminum and steel, while emissions from their life cycles need to be reduced significantly. While the business environment is challenging, it is also a driver for innovation. Join our panelists in the discussion on the opportunities and challenges in building a green metal supply chain. 

Panelists:  

Trond Gjellesvik, VP Norsk Hydro, Head of Commercial North America  

Katie Larson, VP Government Affairs at SSAB  

Jonathan Miller, Senior VP Public Affairs at Volvo Group 

3:45PM: Networking break 

3:55PM: Green Supply Chain – Batteries 

We are at the dawn of the battery technical revolution. A new urgency for government and corporates to decarbonize and surging investments by auto and battery manufacturers has shifted the battery market into high gear and the demand is expected to increase 17-fold by 2030. Learn how battery manufacturers and their partners mobilize innovation in the EV industry.

Panel discussion with:

Oscar Brown, CFO at FREYR Battery

Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Director, Mobility R&D at Cox Automotive

Katherine Yehl, Vice President Government Affairs, Americas Region at Volvo Cars

Moderated by Michael Robbins, Managing Partner at Bain & Co 

4.25PM: Presentation on the First Movers Coalition by David Livingston, Senior Advisor, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

4:30PM: Funding Green Value Chains 

What does it take to mobilize the finance necessary to support the green supply chain? How will a private/public funding partnership impact the risk/return balance? How will monitoring/ reporting the carbon footprint across the supply chain impact investment decisions?     

Panel discussion with: 

Maria Brogren, Head of Science and Innovation at Embassy of Sweden 

Diep Nguyen-Van Houtte, Senior Manager, Global Infrastructure Upstream at International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Moderated by Charles DiLeva, Former Chief Officer, Environmental and Social Standards at the World Bank 

4:55PM: Summary and wrap-up  

5:00PM – 6:30PM Networking Reception