Learn more about the Danish government's green agenda during the 2012 EU Precidency.

Energy efficiency and energy infrastructure on top of agenda
On January 10, 2012 at a press gathering at Avedøre Power Plant, Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard and Minister for Science, Innovation and Higher Education Morten Østergaard highlighted the EU energy efficiency directive, energy infrastructure and more research in green solutions as the main Danish priorities during the green part of the Danish EU Presidency.

Find out more about the Danish government's ambition to become fossil free by 2050

Europe’s economic, resource and climate crises
Rising prices on raw materials and energy, and increasing problems due to climate change will within the next years shake the economic foundation of Europe.
However, combining economic growth with the development of green ambitions is not an impossible task for Europe. By investing in green conversion - especially green energy technology – Europe will be able to reach a long term sustainable economic growth and create more European jobs. According to the Danish government, green investments pay off even in times of severe economic crises. Ambitious countries like Denmark can, though, not pull the strings alone: The EU must play a key role in strengthening the common green European competitiveness.

View DONG Energy's profile on stateofgreen.com

Green investments will pay off
During the presidency, the Danish agenda is to emphasize that green investments are needed in order to create jobs. Minister for Climate, Energy and Buildings Martin Lidegaard says: “With the right investments, two million jobs can be achieved in the EU – it is possible and it will be economically profitable.”
The main immediate actions to achieve green jobs are an EU energy efficiency directive and a common energy infrastructure. Also emphasizing on a common European infrastructure as well as the replacement of coal with wind, biomass and gas, CEO of DONG Energy Anders Eldrup supports Minister Lidegaard.

Read Martin Lidegaard's speach

No time for hesitating
Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of Danfoss says: “In order to obtain long-term green investments, we need a united EU. Europe will need to work hard. China and the rest of the world will not stop the train to let us back on – we need to see things happening relative quickly.”

Learn more about Danfoss on stateofgreen.com.

Activating private pension capital is crucial
In an economic crisis, the natural question seems to be where the EU will find the funding for green investments. CEO of the Danish institutional investor, PensionDanmark, Torben Möger Pedersen, states that “most investments in renewable energy sources and more effective energy infrastructure must be financed by the private sector and consumers”

View DTU's profile on stateofgreen.com.

Read Morten Østergaard's speach