Upcoming Green Export Strategy for Denmark

By State of Green | [email protected]

30 August 2016

The agreement on climate change in Paris paved the way for a global green transition through commitment of USD 13,500 billion towards 2030 in order to meet the climate goals. That is why the Danish Government wants to commit funding for a new export strategy aimed at strengthening exports of green Danish technologies.

Since last year’s climate agreement, Danish Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate Lars Chr. Lilleholt has engaged in close dialogue and arranged export meeting with the Danish energy sector and business life in order to strengthen exports of Danish energy equipment and services. Now the Danish Government is ready to commit funding for an export strategy, which the minister will present this autumn.

However, the minister has already disclosed some elements in the strategy, including commitment of DKK 10 million in funding over a 3-year period to cooperate with three of the most important export markets for Denmark:

Firstly, the government-to-government cooperation with the Danish Ministry for Energy, Utilities and Climate will be expanded from 7 to 11 countries. The new countries will be the U.S., Germany and the UK, which are funded with DKK 10 million over a 3-year period through the National Budget. In addition, a new energy cooperation with Ethiopia will be commenced. The initiative will be in close cooperation with the Trade Council at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark as well as embassies and business offices in the selected countries.

Secondly, the technology component in the existing government-to-government cooperation’s will be strengthened.

Thirdly, there will be increased focus on the EU cooperation as a platform to advance regulation and policy for the benefit of exporting Danish technology and solutions within the area of energy.

Finally, Denmark’s participation with 19 other countries in “Mission Innovation” will strengthen collaboration between energy research and exports.

“I have been in countries such as China and Indonesia witnessed how much our cooperation with other governments matters in terms of export opportunities for Danish business life. By expanding our presence from 7 to 11 countries, notably the U.S. market, we will support the Trade Council’s efforts and expand our impact and export opportunities to some of the biggest and most important markets for the green transition (…)”, says Danish Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate Lars Chr. Lilleholt.

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Facts about markets in the export strategy and relevant key figures

The Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate currently has a bilateral cooperation within energy with 7 countries: China, Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa, Indonesia, Turkey and Ukraine. Among others, collaboration with these 7 countries is focused on expanding renewable energy and integrating it in energy system, as well as energy-efficient building.
Germany is Denmark’s biggest market for energy technologies with a share of 34,6% of the total Danish export of energy technologies.
In 2015, the U.S. was the next biggest importer of energy technologies and a market with substantial potential for increased exports.
In 2015, the UK was the third largest market for energy technologies and a market, with the expected exit of the EU, which is crucial to put extra focus on.
In 2015, Danish exports of energy technologies amounted to DKK 71,4 billion.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that towards 2030, USD 13,500 billion must be invested in order to meet the climate goals from the Paris Agreement.
The Confederation of Danish Industry has calculated that export of Danish energy technology to markets such as the EU, the U.S., Mexico and China can be doubled from approximately DKK 60 billion in 2014 to approximately DKK 120 billion in 2030 as a result of the agreement.

Source: Translated excerpt from the Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate (in Danish)