Danish companies, including Maersk, FLSmidth, Ørsted and Vestas among others, called on the Danish politicians and government to maintain sustainability at the top of their priorities, supporting innovation and advocating for the right regulations to boost investments and urgently accelerate the green transition.
From New York, UN Secretary General António Guterres has recently called on the international community for more action and leadership to tackle the great challenges of our time. He warned that failure to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees threatens the future of humanity and the fate of our planet. With just a few weeks to COP27, the need to move from commitments and pledges to concrete actions and solutions is strong.
We are convinced that our country, our people and companies can continue to play an important role as frontrunners providing leadership and inspiration, showing the world that it can be done, and most importantly, how it can be done
the letter reads.
Denmark has embarked on an impressive climate policy agenda with ambitious emissions targets, carbon pricing, innovation, public investment, regulations and policies. More specifically, the country has pledged to cut emissions even further, to 70% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, while still maintaining generous social benefits, and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.
In the spirit of a strong, continued partnership, the companies called on all Danish politicians and the current and future government to ensure that Denmark remains a sustainability global pioneer, opting for even bolder, more flexible and openminded solutions for the green transition.
Specific enablers for the Danish business community to continue to lead and counter the global challenges include:
#1 Acceleration of investments in green and energy efficient solutions at scale: First, setting short and medium-term action plans built on climate partnerships; secondly, expanding existing technologies and developing new innovations for a green transition that also tackles environmental and social impacts of source materials and production; and ultimately, supporting infrastructure development to connect new sustainable energy installations to the public grid. Investments in waste infrastructure are also needed to improve access to high quality secondary materials to drive circularity and the use of recycled materials.
#2 Advocacy efforts for solid regulatory frameworks that encourage green investments and ensure that frontrunners are not penalized: Companies expect Denmark to lead the way in Europe and internationally to develop harmonized regulatory frameworks across borders to facilitate sustainable operations and secure the adoption of meaningful global regulations.
#3 It is critical to remove the bureaucracy and implement fast-track permitting processes: This will enable sustainable supply chains and new business models and incentivize the transition to fossil-free societies, in a just and fair manner. Furthermore, market-based measures consisting of a greenhouse gas price on fuels should be introduced to close the competition gap between new, green fuels and fossil fuels.
#4 Support for companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises: This is needed to encourage them to take action in partnerships and set ambitious sustainability targets. The public sector likewise plays a key role by implementing ambitious green public procurement policies including for construction materials.
#5 Attract international talent and increase focus on training and education: To develop the innovative solutions needed for the future, companies need access to highly specialized skills and competencies which are not sufficiently available in our home country. The partners value diversity and inclusion in their workforces, and it is important that they continue to attract the most skilled and competent talent.
#6 Access to green finance is key to bolster the energy transition: The letter calls on the government to continue to explore ways to ensure public and private finance is used to back the transition to a sustainable and resilient future for all. Focus is needed on ensuring a substantial and rapid scale-up of renewable energy production all over the world, including in emerging markets and developing countries. Government funds can be used as catalytic capital in collaboration with the private sector to finance the development of tomorrow’s green technologies.
#7 We are ready to act: The companies are ready to act and work for even more urgent action towards a green, fair and inclusive global future.
