Last year, the COP24 held in Katowice, Poland resulted in specific guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This year, the focus of the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25), which takes place in Madrid, Spain, will be on the solutions making the ambitions a reality.

The Danish electricity supply is projected to be generated entirely by renewable sources already by 2028 – and in 2030, projections point to a surplus of Danish renewable electricity of 9 per cent. Figures such as these, and international acclaim for Denmark’s ability to secure both affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) illustrate why Denmark is able to bring concrete solutions to the table, backed by several Danish companies that have viable, turnkey solutions ready at hand.

State of Green, the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and the Embassy of Denmark in Spain are arranging a Danish business delegation to COP25. The participation primarily consists of two days of side events in the so-called green zone, on 11 and 12 December, focusing on Danish green solutions and public and private action towards 2030 and 2050. These events will serve as a platform to present concrete actions taken by Danish companies and authorities to advance the development of sustainable cities and the transition to cleaner, yet also inexpensive, energy for all.

“The event, with an expected 25,000 daily participants from all over the world, is once again a great venue for Danish solutions to gain international traction. Denmark has some of the strongest commercial players on the international climate stage and if we want to really combat climate change then we need to include them in the political process,” said Troels Ranis, Director, Energy, Confederation of Danish Industry.

-Related solution: Powering over one million British households with green electricity

Danish companies providing solutions for energy efficiency and sustainable cities

At COP25, several Danish companies will showcase highly effective and currently available solutions with proven potential to address crucial climate challenges.

ROCKWOOL’s Director of Group Sustainability Anthony Abbotts notes:

“Globally, buildings and the construction sector account for around 40 percent carbon emissions. Renovating existing buildings and constructing new ones to the highest standards of energy efficiency will substantially and cost-effectively reduce emissions. In fact, IPCC analyses indicate that more than 40 percent of carbon reductions required to reach the Paris Accord two degree target needs to come from energy efficiency. Reducing overall energy consumption also enables renewable energy to supply an even greater share of remaining energy requirements – a true win-win for the environment.”

At the Danish side events, ROCKWOOL Group will participate along with VELUX,  Grundfos, Maersk, Danfoss, FLSmidth,  IDA, Ramboll, Vestas and Ørsted in discussions on real-world climate solutions within energy efficiency and sustainable cities.

-Related solution: International partnerships for energy transformation

Danish climate ambassador to focus on energy

Denmark is sending an impressive line-up to COP25, including the Danish Minister of Climate, Utilities and Energy, Dan Jørgensen, and the newly appointed Danish Climate Ambassador, Thomas Anker Christensen. They will participate in the formal COP25 discussion and Paris Agreement forum, where they will be part of the Danish efforts to heighten international climate ambitions.

“Denmark’s green growth can be transferred to other countries, effectively transitioning their growth to become green, too. Denmark is encouraging countries to phase out coal and oil, while converting to renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Meanwhile, the Danish government is paying attention to the necessity of a solid and reliable energy infrastructure for the poorest countries in the world to help them develop. That is why Denmark focuses on securing more funding for the global green transition,” said State of Green’s Executive Director, Finn Mortensen.

The key message for COP25 is that climate action and economic development can and should go hand-in-hand. Nor should the development and protection of the environment take place in isolation to climate action – it should be complementary. This will be the focal point for the discussions between decisions-makers from almost 200 countries during COP25.

COP25 will take place in Madrid, Spain between 2 December and 13 December 2019.

Photo: Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash