China and Denmark face many similar challenges arising from increasingly strained water resources, urbanization and climate change. Learning from each other’s experiences will strengthen both countries in their efforts to handle these challenges.

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China and Denmark are taking lead on the China-Europe Water Platform (CEWP) established earlier this year. This week, Danish Minister for the Environment, Mrs. Ida Auken, will visit China together with a delegation of Danish water technology and consultancy companies to strengthen the commercial ties between the Danish and the Chinese water industry.

Rethink Water

Like China, Denmark believes water is key to future green growth, and 45 Danish companies, utilities and organizations are now launching a new initiative called “Rethink Water” together with Danish Water Forum and the national branding organization of Denmark, State of Green. Danish companies are internationally renowned for their expertise on water resources and with the Rethink Water initiative, the ambition is to share knowledge as a contribution to solving global water challenges.

A long tradition of integrated water management

Bjørn K. Jensen, Chairman, Danish Water Forum:

”Surrounded by water, Denmark has always taken pride in preserving it. Danish companies, utilities and public authorities hold a long tradition of integrated water management and are willing to take responsibility and contribute to solving the major global water challenges. We sincerely hope that Chinese decision makers and media will be inspired by the presentations of the Danish solutions and that our visit to China will contribute to further dialogue and cooperation between the Danish and Chinese water sector”.

The full reports and all other materials will soon be made available in Mandarin at the national Danish web portal for cleantech solutions www.stateofgreen.com/cn to serve as inspiration and encouragement for further dialogue and cooperation with Chinese counterparts.

Cross-industry cooperation

A cornerstone in the rethink water project is engaging other industries that rely heavily on the availability, quality and management of water like the food and beverage processing, fashion and energy industries.

Finn Mortensen, Executive Director, State of Green Consortium:

“There is an old and established sustainable way of thinking in Denmark, which the Danish state policies as well as private businesses build on. This shared mind-set has created a strong tradition of cooperation between the public and private sector as well as cross-industry cooperation. The Danish water industry’s cooperation with other industries to create more sustainable production methods and ultimately a more sustainable society is an excellent example of this. It complements Denmark’s ambitious national policy of becoming a 100% sustainable society that will be fossil free by 2050.”