Foreword by:
Finn Mortensen
Executive Director at State of Green
Perspective
Buildings
Building design
Building materials
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Enhancing competitiveness through energy efficiency in buildings
Building renovation plays a vital role in the green transition. With buildings responsible for nearly 40% of global energy consumption and a significant share of CO₂ emissions, energy-efficient building renovation is essential to meet climate targets. Read the foreword for the publication "Building renovation - Realising the untapped potential of the built environment" by Finn Mortensen, Executive Director at State of Green
19 May 2025
Comfort, safety, and affordability are the pillars of our vision to decarbonise our buildings by 2050. In these times, our buildings need to be renovated to an unprecedented level of energy efficiency. The remaining energy consumed in the buildings will soon be primarily powered by renewable sources. Various appliances will need to interact with the grid, generators, and common points of use. Thus, a house, a neighborhood, and a city must all strive towards reaching a balance of generation and consumption, which will enable a flexible and dynamic sustainable transition. We already have many examples of the necessary technologies and solutions here in Denmark. As they continue to develop, they will also need to be used more widely. The largest challenge still lies with heating and cooling.
Buildings collectively account for about 40% of the total energy consumption in Europe, and heating and cooling represent the majority of this. Reducing energy expenditure on heating also has a direct impact on energy poverty and supports people’s health and wellbeing. Reducing energy consumption across the board has significant implications for Europe’s resilience and competitiveness. By optimizing our energy use, we can improve energy security, reduce dependence on external energy sources, and enhance our ability to compete in the global market. Focusing on energy-efficient renovation policy is also important to ensure that the upgrades enhance the security of the energy supply and reflect the limitations of the energy system’s capacities. To be successful, a refurbishment project must conserve energy and resources to help lower the carbon footprint of buildings over their life cycle. Both the public sector and companies will need to be increasingly attentive to the needs of consumers to secure a just transition and achieve higher standards of energy performance, quality of life, and aesthetics.
The Danish journey toward a more energy-efficient society started in the early 1970s. Since then, public and private players have worked in tandem to secure Denmark’s position at the forefront of renewable energy, energy efficient solutions, renovation of buildings, and sector integration through the likes of district heating systems. Standing on the shoulder of more than five decades of dedicated efforts, I hope that Danish lessons as presented in this white paper will instigate a great appetite for energy-efficient measures.
Discover the publication:
This article is a part of the “Building Renovation – Realising the untapped potential of the built environment” White Paper. Featuring in-depth cases and insights from key Danish players, the white paper offers a toolbox of ideas, technologies, and frameworks for future-ready buildings.
Explore the white paperYou should consider reading
Building design
Building materials
Buildings
Energy efficiency in buildings
solutions
Energy efficiency in industry
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Competitive energy use in factory halls old and new
11 June 2025In Poland, where over 20% of GDP comes from industry and the energy mix is still dominated by fossil fuels, decarbonising manufacturing is both a challenge and a necessity. Danfoss’ production campus in Grodzisk, near Warsaw, highlights the opportunities for reducing emissions in a cost-effective wa
