PREFACE

FOR A BETTER GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

By Per Stig Møller,
Minister for Foreign Affairs

For more than 30 years, successive Danish governments have prioritised more efficient energy exploitation, while at the same time bringing tough legislation on environmental protection. This has benefited both the environment and the energy balance, and strengthened the Danish corporate sector. It has forced Danish companies to think innovatively and dynamically. Danish companies are world leaders in consultancy and manufacturing in the energy and environmental efficiency industry.

The Danish government is focusing on the strength of Danish energy and environmental technology, which is in demand throughout the world. Danish companies and the Danish government have a shared responsibility to show that there are better and cleaner technologies than those many countries use today. This not only boosts Danish exports, but also brings benefits associated with Danish energy and environmental competences, such as increased supply security and an unshackling of economic growth from its impact on the environment.

Energy efficiency and a better environment are interrelated. The biggest environmental concern today is the massive consumption of energy by growth economies. With a combination of Danish solutions and technologies we can help ensure that the global environment improves. We owe that to the world.

SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

By Flemming Hansen,
Minister for Transport and Energy

Important global challenges are lying ahead to secure stable energy supply – a necessary foundation for continued economic growth – while at the same time protecting the environment and mitigating climate change. The Danish experience shows that it is indeed possible to pursue economic growth while reducing consumption of energy and safeguarding the environment. Our energy consumption today is at the 1980 level – despite economic growth of more than 50%. This has been achieved while maintaining Denmark’s economic performance and maintaining Denmark as one of the most competitive countries globally.

The key to this success is efficiency in production as well as in consumption of energy. In order to improve efficiency, it is very important that the energy production is based on state-of-the-art technology.

Strong efforts have also been put into developing renewables such as wind energy. In Denmark, 15% of the total energy produced comes from renewable sources, in particular wind and biomass. The Government has recently announced to double this proportion by 2025 as to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Denmark maintains its position as a world leader in wind turbines.

Research and development of new and more efficient energy technologies are crucial if the use of fossil fuels are to be reduced. Intensive research and development is being carried out into new technologies such as second generation biofuels for transport, fuel cells and more cost effective wind turbines. As global energy consumption is expected to-increase-more than 50% over the next 25 years, Danish energy technology is in a strong position to reduce environmental adverse effects.

GROWTH IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

By Connie Hedegaard,
Minister for the Environment

Man-made climate change threatens to destabilise the Earths ecosystem and the livelihood of millions of people. It is a global demonstration of the need for economic development to take the environment and human health into account.

Denmark has strived for decades to make our society more environmentally friendly. The solutions developed by Danish companies in order to meet our ambitious environmental standards have made them world leaders within a number of environmental fields: As a result, we command cutting edge technologies for waste water purification and potable water supplies; for smoke cleansening and the removal of hazardous substances from fumes; for the handling and processing of solid waste –including incineration as a CO2-neutral contribution to our supply of energy. And many other technologies, products and services developed to minimise pollution and the use of natural resources.

Some have argued that it is too expensive to take the environment into account, and that economic growth should have first priority. But the Danish experience shows, that we can have economic growth and environmental improvement at the same time; they can actually be managed to reinforce each other mutually. We shall be happy to share our experiences with the rest of the world and do our part to leave our planet in good shape for future generations to enjoy.