Support in permit-granting processes for projects relating to net zero and critical raw materials

Companies and industries that manufacture technology for the green transition (net zero) or harness critical raw materials, contribute to the energy and climate transition. The County Administrative Board can provide specific support to such projects by guiding them through the authorisation processes required for the activity.

Support for projects that manufacture net-zero technology

If you run a project that manufactures net-zero technology, you can receive specific support from the County Administrative Board in permit-granting processes. The permit-granting processes for which you can receive support include, for example, environmental permits, planning permission and chemical permits.

Projects that manufacture net-zero technology can also be recognised as strategic net-zero projects. The project will also benefit from other advantages, such as authorisation authorities and municipalities being bound by specific deadlines for completing the authorisation process. More information about how projects are recognised as strategic can be found at the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth or the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU).

Strategic net-zero projects – Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth External link.

Strategic net-zero projects concerning carbon dioxide storage – SGU External link.

Support for projects involving critical raw materials

If you are running a project involving raw materials classified as critical by the EU, you can also receive support from the County Administrative Board. In order to obtain benefits, such as time limits for authorisation processes, the project must be designated as a strategic project. Application must be submitted to the European Commission.

Strategic projects under the CRMA – European Commission External link.

The EU’s 19 net-zero technologies

A net-zero industry aims to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, so that the impact on the climate is not negative. The EU has identified 19 net-zero technologies as being particularly important, such as solar cells, wind power, energy storage and batteries. These technologies are described in the EU regulation known as the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA).

Net-Zero Industry Act – European Commission External link.

The European Commission has clarified which end products and components are covered by the net-zero industry regulation. This helps you, as the project owner, to see whether your project is covered by the net-zero regulation or not.

Delegated act on primarily used components under the Net-Zero Regulation External link.

The EU’s 34 critical raw materials

Critical raw materials are metals and minerals that are important for manufacturing, energy, defence and technology – such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements. Among other things, they are used in batteries, electronics and electric cars. The EU has identified 34 such raw materials as being particularly important but whose supply is uncertain or dependent on imports from countries outside the EU. These are described in the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) – European Commission External link.