EDITORIAL

THE BUSINESS OF SAVING THE PLANET

In less than a year – in December 2009 – world leaders will gather in Copenhagen at the UN Climate Change Conference. The aim is to decide on the post-Kyoto regime – obligations to for instance reduce CO₂ emissions after 2012. As with all multilateral negotiations it will be a challenge to reach a compromise. But the negotiators will have a clear mandate from the peoples of the earth: save the planet while there’s still time. From Denmark to South Africa and from India to the US there is a growing consciousness of the relations between quality of life, clean environment and healthy climate.

But in a time of financial and economic crisis – what about the cost? Can the world afford to set ambitious plans to reduce the level of CO₂ at a time when economic growth is low or even negative? The answer is yes. Or rather: we can not afford not doing anything. Why? Because – leaving aside all the relevant ethical and moral questions – there is a clear business case for saving the planet. The costs of the negative consequences of global warming are exorbitant, running to possibly trillions of USD. These are estimates on scenario-based analysis. But we also have historical facts to base the business case on. The case comprises cost savings from reduced energy consumption as well as increased earnings and new jobs as a result of from cleantech solutions. How do we know? Because Denmark has already proven that it is possible. In 25 years we have had near-zero growth in energy consumption while at the same time achieving 75% economic growth and cementing a position as one of the world’s most competitive nations. Companies and households have saved billions of kroner on energy, while on the earnings side considerable progress is also being made. Danish exports of energy technology are growing faster than any other goods, and passed the DKK 50 billion (almost USD 10 billion) mark in 2007. This has been made possible through research, innovation and production of new energy-saving technologies. At the same time, utilisation of renewable energy in Denmark has increased to 15% of total energy consumption. Indeed in some parts of Denmark, like the island of Samsø, it accounts for 100%. That is an interesting case to explore, which you can do just by turning to page 16 of this issue of Focus Denmark.

Enjoy the read.

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Under-Secretary for Foreign Trade & Investment Ambassador Jarl Frijs-Madsen