Lionel Messi and Danish solutions can help the world reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals

6 May 2016

Clean water, sustainable cities and sustainable food production are amongst the UN now world goals, which were adopted in September 2015. The Danish Minister for Environment & Food, Esben Lunde Larsen, has been in New York to discuss how Danish technology is an important part of reaching the goals.

- The UN has set ambitious goals for, what we want to achieve, when it comes to sustainable cities and sustainable production, water and climate. The goals are here – now we need to put action behind the good intentions. Denmark is already far in achieving a large part of the goals. Therefore, we also have a special obligation in helping the other nations reach the goals before 2030. If we at the same time can create growth and employment home in Denmark, it is only a win win, says Minister for Environment & Food, Esben Lunde Larsen.

To meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals the use of technology is essential. Here Denmark has a lot to offer. Among the Danish strength positions is the reduction of water loss and non-revenue-water, when water is pumped from the ground to the consumer in the households. In Denmark only 8% of the water is lost on the way, where the global average is app. 40%. Furthermore, Danish utilities have developed waste water treatment plants, producing 50% surplus energy, making waste water a resource for energy. One of the UN indicators is to increase the amount of treated waste water from 20 to 60% in 2030.

- Solution: Marselisborg, Denmark – from wastewater plant to power plant

Opportunity for increased Danish Export
In 2015 Danish export of water technology grew by 6% of the total export, and since 2009 it has grown by 37%. It is countries like China, USA and South Africa, which have contributed to the growth. The export of water technology to China has almost tripled since 2006, and almost doubled to USA.

- We can see that Danish water technology export is thriving really good. We also know that many of the countries we want to export to are facing massive investments in climate adaptation, water and wastewater plants. There is a huge potential, which we need to make sure we utilize, because we have the solutions, which the rest of the world is demanding. If we can utilise the potential, we can help the world move in a more sustainable direction, whilst creating Danish employment, says Esben Lunde Larsen.

App. 20 heads of state, 60 ministers and a number of ‘SDG advocates’ are participating in the UN meetings. The SDG advocates includes Queen Mathilde of Belgium, the singer Shakira and the soccer legend Lionel Messi.

Facts about the Sustainable Development Goals
There are 17 official goals with 169 indicators, spanning from poverty & hunger to education, health, water, sustainable energy, combatting climate change and promotion of a peaceful society.

Source: Ministry for Environment & Food