Buildings

To reach the goal of a fossil-free society by 2050, it is important to decarbonise the buildings we live in. By switching to electric heat pumps or district heating, renovating instead of demolishing, and creating green buildings we can significantly lower their CO2e emissions.

Energy consumption of buildings is responsible for 40 % of Denmark’s overall energy consumption

40 %

Energy consumption of buildings is responsible for 23 % of Denmark’s CO2e emissions

23 %

Discarded materials from construction and demolition account for around 30 % of waste generated in the EU

30 %

Related facts

Featured content

Reducing expenses and CO₂ emissions through energy efficiency in buildings

Sustainable architecture and circular construction based on sustainable building materials increase recycling and reduce waste. Preparing buildings to become more resilient to extreme weather events eliminates costly damages and ultimately save lives.

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Creation date: Latest first

publications

Climate partnerships

+7

Playbook: How to engage the private sector in climate action plans

16 September 2022

Learnings from the Danish climate partnerships on the road to 70% greenhouse gas emissions reduction

News

Sustainable fuels

+11

From billions to trillions: Mobilising trillions of dollars for the green transition

7 September 2022

With a look into the future where large amounts of fossil fuels will continue to be extracted, it has only become even more important to mobilize the necessary funds and financing for the green transition, while ensuring that the right funds are linked to the right green projects. Join our high-level event on 20 September when leaders from business and government take a close look at international partnerships and collective efforts to enable the necessary conditions for green investments.

solutions

Buildings

+7

Heat pump uses heat waste from Nordea’s data centre

Data centres produce a lot of waste heat. And if not taken advantage of, its potential savings are lost. That is why Nordea and Høje Taastrup District Heating wished to establish a project where a heat pump uses heat waste from Nordea’s data centre. The project was defined by the fact that Høje Taas

News

Green financing

+3

PKA’s CEO Takes a Seat in Influential Climate Alliance

CEO of PKA, Jon Johnsen, is the only Dane to be part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) climate network. The UN is behind the initiative, and members of the network include some of the biggest private investors in the world. The goal is to accelerate financing of the green transformation especially in emerging markets.

Perspective

Urban planning and development

+9

Nordhavn: The smart urban area of the future

On this 360 virtual tour, you can explore the urban district of Nordhavn, Copenhagen. It is an urban area which combines liveability, sustainability and intelligent solutions in a vibrant smart city neighbourhood.

solutions

Buildings

+8

The Marble Pier

The construction sector accounts for 40% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, concieving of ways to design and construct more sustainable and buildings are imperative. One way to challenge old building traditions is by choosing more sustainable building materials. In Nordhavn, Copenhagen, R

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Meet Danish buildings professionals

Company

Living labs

+13

BABLE Smart Cities

BABLE provides business and technology services for smart city green solutions. We create automated services that simplify and offer expert advice to guide transition, development and scaling. Our onl

Company

Green financing

+6

PKA

PKA is a non-profit labor market pension fund based in Denmark. We manage the pensions of 350,000 members employed primarily in the social service and health care sectors

Company

Buildings

+7

Transition ApS

Transition supports the transition to a sustainable society.

Company

Bio-based circular solutions

+34

Viegand Maagøe

We co-create the green transition. The transition relies on a combination of technologies, financing, people, and communications. This is why we are experts in advising about these topics.

Company

Energy efficiency

+5

frient

frient offers high-quality smart home devices that can reduce electricity consumption, enable home automation, and protect the users' homes and families. The frient devices are available for installer

Public Sector

Urban planning and development

+3

Middelfart Municipality

Middelfart Municipality (MM) on the island of Fyn has worked with climate actions since 2007. The municipality is one of the first in Denmark to hold a Climate Action Plan together with a political ag

Company

Buildings

+4

ADEPT

ADEPT focus on urban development and building architecture with an aim to push users, clients, profession and the world around us towards a deeper responsibility for the limited global resources. We d

Company

Buildings

+3

Nordic Waste A/S

At Nordic Waste we are specialists in biological and chemical treatment of contaminated soil and residual products from the industry etc. The purpose is to recycle the soil and residual products back

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Explore related focus areas

Wind energy

Wind energy plays a key role in reaching Denmark’s target of 70 per cent greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2030. And with some of the best wind conditions in the world, it is easy to understand how Den-mark has become a global hub for wind power technology

Bioenergy

Denmark has utilised bioenergy as part of its green agenda since the 1980s. Today, bioenergy is the most used renewable energy source in Denmark, covering almost 70 % of Denmark’s combined renewable energy consumption.

Solar energy

The sun provides more than enough energy to meet the whole world's energy needs, but only represents a small part of the world’s energy mix. Harnessing solar energy is one of the obvious ways to secure the green transition - both in Denmark and globally.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source generated from hot, saline water occurring naturally in geothermal reservoirs. Large-scale geothermal facilities are relatively new in Denmark but has immense potential for the Danish district heating system.

Smart energy systems

To maintain a well-balanced energy system with increasing amounts of fluctuating energy sources like wind and solar, it is essential with a smart energy system that can help balance consumption with produc-tion.

Buildings

To reach the goal of a fossil-free society by 2050, it is important to decarbonise the buildings we live in. By switching to electric heat pumps or district heating, renovating instead of demolishing, and creating green buildings we can significantly lower their CO2e emissions.

Industry

The energy-intensive industry contributes crucial materials for society – for buildings, manufacturing, transport, food processing, and energy production. The Danish energy-intensive industry’s vision is to be the most climate-friendly energy-intensive industry in the world while creating green exports, growth, and jobs in Denmark by 2030.

Transport

The transport sector emits around 20 % of Denmark’s total CO2e emissions. The key to a greener transport sector is streamlined transport processes, a wider selection of green vehicles, and incentives to promote green fuels.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to eliminate energy waste, lower energy costs, and reduce the use of fossil fuels. There is great potential for efficiency improvements in every sector, whether it is buildings or industry. Energy efficiency is an embedded part of Denmark’s mindset, as Denmark has worked with energy efficiency measures since the 70s.

Power-to-X

Power-to-X consists of a switch to green fuels – like hydrogen or ammonia – produced by electrolysis using renewable electricity. Green hydrogen and e-fuels are critical components in the future energy system globally. Without them, it will be impossible to achieve full decarbonisation.

Carbon capture, storage and utilisation

Carbon capture, storage, and utilisation (CCSU) are important tools for reducing emissions and accelerating the green transition. Through technologies like power-to-X, we can use the CO2e we already emit as a sustainable energy and fuel in other sectors. This is the next phase in Denmark’s energy transition.