Program overview for the Zero Emission Conference 2024 

Main stage program: 

09:00: Opening speech by ZERO’s general manager Stig Schjølset. 

09:15: Did the climate really become the framework for all politics? Speech by Norway’s Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, followed by a conversation between Støre and ZERO manager Schjølset. 

09:30: Climate and security: What is the link? Director of the Center for Climate and Security, Erin Sikorsky, discussed the future landscape of climate and security and the role of national security actors in addressing climate change. 

09:55: Europe’s race to phase out fossil fuels. Europe Programme Director at Ember, Sarah Brown, presented key insights from Ember’s European Electricity Review, showcasing the progress Europe has made in shifting from fossil fuels to clean electricity. 

10:15: Break. 

10:45: Renewable fuels. The last leg towards zero emissions. If we are to achieve the net zero emission goal, aviation and shipping have to be decarbonized. Martine Mørk, head of industry policy for ZERO, presented the key findings from the project Renewable fuels for the green shift.  

11:00: Is there room for a political oil compromise? What would it take to get the two largest political parties in Norway to discuss a strategy for transitioning away from oil and gas? Presentation by DNB CEO Kjerstin Braathen followed by a political debate between Norway’s Minister of energy Terje Aasland and Høyre’s climate and energy spokesperson Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde. 

11:30: Green warm up: The budget negotiation starts here. What were the biggest climate wins in the government’s proposal for the 2025 national budget? And what could be won in the budget negotiations? Political debate between Minister for climate and environment Tore O. Sandvik, and opposition politicians Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes (SV) and Tina Bru (H). 

11:50: Award ceremony: Local climate measure of the year. 

12:00: Lunch break. Concert with Bigbang vocalist Øystein Greni. 

16:00: Report launch: Trilemma – nature, climate and business development. What does it take to secure a green transition without harming Norwegian nature? ZERO, Sabima, and PwC have spent a year trying to find the solution and are now handing over their report to the government.

16:30: Award Ceremony: The Business Climate Award.

After lunch, there were parallel sessions on three different stages, with a break between each program segment. 

Stage 1 program:  

13:00: How does the renewable revolution in Europe impact Norway? 

14:00: Artificial intelligence as a climate solution 

15:15: Continue flying on fossil fuels and remove CO2, or switch to renewable fuels? 

Stage 2 program: 

13:00: Norway as a major maritime player: Are we drifting off course in the green transition? 

14:00: Scope 4: This is how we avoid emissions

15:15: Emergency preparedness and crisis management in the renewable transport sector

Stage 3 program:  

13:00: CO2 Management: Are we losing the race right before the finish line? 

14:00: Clear the front page! The planet is burning! … Or is it? 

15:15: A climate-friendly food system