Nordic Initiative for Cooperative Approaches

International market-based collaboration to build capacity and foster partnerships among Nordic public and private actors.

International partnerships to accelerate climate action

The Nordic Initiative for Cooperative Approaches (NICA) supports the implementation of international market-based collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It also monitors developments in the Voluntary Carbon Markets and their interaction with Paris Agreement mechanisms.

The focus of the initiative

NICA focuses on supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with particular emphasis on operationalising international market-based collaboration under Article 6.

NICA aims to demonstrate how voluntary international cooperation can:

  • Enhance climate ambition
  • Accelerate climate action
  • Promote sustainable development
  • Enable private sector participation

What we do

We build capacity and foster partnerships between Nordic public and private actors and their global peers, ensuring all collaboration aligns with the Paris Agreement. NICA aims to support, scale up, and accelerate ambitious climate action, promote sustainable development and harness private sector finance and innovation.

How we work

NICA facilitates partnerships that deliver lasting mitigation outcomes, raise climate ambition, and support sustainable development with private sector engagement. Our work contributes to shaping robust international rules for transferring mitigation outcomes, ensuring that market-based cooperation supports the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Current activities

Supporting Article 6 pilots

NICA is actively mapping and screening feasible opportunities to pilot Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in various countries. These efforts aim to support the implementation of carbon market mechanisms while fostering collaboration with the Voluntary Carbon Markets.

A Nordic platform for knowledge sharing

NICA also functions as a Nordic platform, facilitating information exchange among Nordic actors. As the Nordic countries pursue various bilateral and national carbon market initiatives, NICA helps ensure alignment and shared learning across the region.

Key activities

NICA’s current work includes:

  • Developing core documentation for potential Article 6 transactions in collaboration with stakeholders
  • Publishing a summary report on NICA activities
  • Producing a Fact Sheet outlining the Nordic approach
  • Organising and participating in workshops and international events

Overview: Nordic climate targets and Article 6 cooperation

Take a look at a snapshot of the Nordic countries’ climate targets and how carbon market cooperation aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is evolving across the region.

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Report: Linkages between Article 6 & Voluntary Carbon Markets

This report presents both the opportunities and challenges from the relationship between Article 6 and voluntary carbon markets (VCMs), offering a Nordic perspective on potential pathways to maximise the synergies.

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Nordic leadership in climate action

The Nordic countries have a strong track record in supporting ambitious climate action and sustainable development in developing countries as well as promoting carbon pricing globally.

Through NICA, the Nordic countries continue to:

  • Join forces to facilitate international partnerships
  • Engage with the international carbon pricing community
  • Promote knowledge sharing, coordination, and collaboration

Building on Nordic experience

NICA builds on the Nordic region’s extensive experience with the Kyoto Protocol’s flexible mechanisms, including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). These foundations provide a strong basis for advancing new forms of collaboration under the Paris Agreement.

In addition, the initiative reinforces Nefco’s role as a key player in international carbon markets, supporting its continued leadership in climate finance and market-based solutions.

Our origins

NICA was jointly developed by Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Nefco. It builds on the legacy of the Nordic Partnership Initiative, while adapting to major developments in international climate policy, including the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

About carbon market mechanisms

Green financing

Carbon markets are mechanisms that enable governments and non-state actors to trade greenhouse gas emission credits through carbon pricing.

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Nefco's carbon market activities

Trees from above

Since 2003, Nefco has established and managed several groundbreaking carbon funds that have provided a pioneering testing ground for innovative, market-based approaches.

Read more

Featured resources related to NICA activities:

Publications on Article 6 Cooperation


Contributors

The NICA initiative has been funded by Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Working Group for Climate and Air, and Nefco. Iceland is involved in NICA collaboration and Denmark also participates in NICA discussions.

Finland
Sweden
Norway
Iceland
Denmark
Nefco logo in black


Contact us

Kari Hämekoski Senior Programme Manager
Finnish, English, Swedish
Pasi Rinne Strategic Adviser, external

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