BDF's mission in the field of energy is to create an integrated energy sector in the Baltic Sea Region through a well-functioning energy market and an enhanced regional cooperation. BDF believes that the Baltic Sea Region’s many energy and climate related competences should be better utilized by the member states, as the energy sector will play an increasing role to the Region’s future economic performance and competitiveness. BDF wishes to make a contribution to the formation of stronger energy clusters and contribute with a regional perspective – a new edge - to the energy and climate debates that move currently mostly on the national, European and global levels.

Further, BDF wishes to engage public and private strategic partners in developing regional aspects on innovative energy solutions fighting climate change. Naturally, renewable energy sources will be emphasized, as their development will have major impact on the future competitiveness of the BSR. The strategic focus of the project will therefore in particular be put on energy efficiency and/or savings and renewables.

The 2007 BDF Summit’s energy panel called for regional initiatives/solutions that demanded public-private partnerships. It was concluded that BDF should draw up an analysis (White Paper) on the elements necessary to improve regional energy cooperation. BDF believes that such a paper could also contribute to branding the BSR as the world’s first-mover in renewable energy and sustainability.

The idea is that the analysis - that BDF has set as a goal for 2008-2009 - will deliver the rationale/opportunities for future regional cooperation on energy & climate change. It will explore existing barriers of regional cooperation and make concrete recommendations for governments and businesses on how to move forward through public-private partnerships. The first result will be presented at the BDF Summit in 2008 and later in 2009. As part of the 2008 Summit preparation, a conference is scheduled in Warsaw in cooperation with Demos/Europa on the regional dimension of energy.

As many national and regional organisations have energy as a topic on the agenda, there is a need to ensure proper coordination of the activities, to avoid unnecessary repetitions and to define joint priorities. BDF executes this task in cooperation with BSSSC under the recently formed Joint Platform on Energy, which is a network of BSR organisations focussing on energy & climate. BDF will work closely together with BASREC, which will organise a ministerial meeting in Copenhagen during Danish CBSS-presidency. BDF is also forming a partnership with Copenhagen Climate Solutions ensuring proper coordination of the informal initiatives leading up to the UN summit in 2009.

On 6 February nine Baltic Sea organisations endorsed the idea of joint coordination of activities in the field of energy. The newly formed platform on energy will help the organisations to move in one common direction and avoid duplications in their activities. All organisations agreed that more knowledge exchange and cooperation is needed in order to speak with one voice when it comes to the European and global challenges in the field of energy and climate change.

The initiative of the joint platform came from BSSSC and BDF has taken the lead by hosting the second coordination meeting. BDF is also pushing for an analysis on energy cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, as very few analyses/reports exist on the regional dimension of energy challenges.   

Below you can download the summary of the successful coordination meeting and an overview of regional activities in the field of energy & climate.