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

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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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Perspective

Energy efficiency in buildings

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The construction sector at the heart of the green transition

Blog post by David W Briggs, CEO of the VELUX Group. The blog post is part of a series of perspectives leading up to the IEA's 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency held in Sønderborg, Denmark, on 7-9 June.

News

Buildings

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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.

solutions

Energy efficiency

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Urban Regeneration through Deep Building Renovation

In several areas around Pamplona, Spain, a largescale renovation programme is slashing the energy costs and emissions of hundreds of existing buildings and breathing new life into old neighbourhoods. Seventy percent of the buildings in the Txantrea neighbourhood in Pamplona, Spain, were built during

solutions

Energy efficiency

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A warm – and safe – welcome for parents and babies alike at Bradford Royal Infirmary

The Women’s and Newborn Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary in the UK is one of Bradford’s most well-known hospital buildings, where over 200,000 babies have been born since it was established over 50 years ago. However, the 1960s-era façade had never been upgraded. Heat loss, draughts, noise and leaks

News

Air pollution

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Creating smart, green and liveable cities

By 2030, six out of ten people will live in urban areas. City dwellers must contend with increased congestion, waste and water management issues as well as overcrowded, polluting transportation systems. All of this poses direct negative effects on citizens’ physical health and wellbeing. This is the reason why the United Nations has chosen to focus specifically on sustainable cities and communities in their Sustainable Development Goal number 11 (SDG 11).

News

Offshore wind

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Sustainable energy: the power of the future

The continuous rise in CO2 emissions over the last 30 years and growing global demand for stable electricity, heating, cooling, and transportation represent a major challenge worldwide. A growing population and expanding middle class set the global energy scene in flux. The million-dollar question therefore becomes: how do we ensure access to clean and affordable energy for all and halt climate change, without stalling economic progress? The answer needs a global response, which is why the United Nations has chosen energy as the focus of the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 (SDG 7), aiming to ensure affordable and clean energy for all.

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Meet Danish buildings professionals

Company

Buildings

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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

Company

Air pollution

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Energy Machines

Energy Machines™ is a leader in the design, implementation, and operation of integrated energy systems for buildings. Buildings are a growing climate problem, accounting for over 28% of global CO₂ emi

Company

Air pollution

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EcoTree International

EcoTree is a certified B-Corp with a simple, ground-breaking way to reward individuals and businesses supporting sustainable forestry in Europe. In short, we own the land and you own the trees! We’ve

Company

Buildings

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cBrain A/S

cBrain is a Danish software company entrusted by 16 out of 20 Danish ministries and more than 75 governmental institutions with the digitization of their case-management including the Ministry of Clim

Company

Buildings

+33

Port of Aalborg

Port of Aalborg is more than a traditional port, transport hub and business park. We work with partnerships and collaboration. Sustainability and green transition. Symbioses and synergies. Knowledge a

Company

Buildings

The Danish Construction Federation

The Danish Construction Federation (DI Byggeri) is the largest business community within The Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and represents around 6,700 member companies and their 120,000 employ

Company

Buildings

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twin transition

We invest. Time & money in great ideas & great people with the potential to transform the way we do business towards a circular economy. We develop. Digital tools & services enablin

Company

Air pollution

+52

Port Esbjerg

Port Esbjerg is the North Sea’s leading port for offshore wind, base to the Danish offshore industry and an international hub for multimodal transport with six regular RoRo liner services. More tha

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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.