Sound of Green - Stories from Denmark's green transition

Across Europe and beyond, the headlines are starting to sound familiar: Local opposition. Delays. Resistance to renewable projects.But what if that is only part of the story? In this episode of Sound of Green, we explore why local acceptance is not just a barrier to overcome, but a prerequisite for scaling renewable energy and strengthening security of supply. Because when communities are engaged early and given a real stake in projects, something shifts. From resistance to participation. From scepticism to empowerment. And ultimately, towards a more resilient and secure energy system.With insights from:Stephan Krabsen, Avedøre Energy CommunityChris Vrettos, Rescoop Mogens Halgskjær, Andel

In Denmark, rain falls roughly 170 days a year. So, when the sun finally breaks through, most Danes take notice. But while fresh air and daylight are essential for human well-being, not all buildings are designed to deliver them. That’s where VELUX comes in.Known globally for their roof windows and skylights, the company has spent more than 80 years finding ways to bring natural light indoors – and now, they’re also working to ensure that the nature it comes from stays protected.Want more from State of Green? https://stateofgreen.com/en/news/

In this episode, we visit FLS at their Copenhagen headquarters. Minerals are the backbone of modern life but producing them comes at a cost.Luckily, FLS is rethinking the journey of the rocks, showing how smarter technology and innovation can help one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries move towards a greener future.Want more from State of Green? https://stateofgreen.com/en/news/

In this episode we visit cable manufacturer NKT at their factory in Asnæs, Denmark, where giant cable drums lie coiled with the infrastructure of the future.While wind turbines and electric vehicles often steal the spotlight of the green transition, none of them would function without one thing: cables.Want more from State of Green? https://stateofgreen.com/en/news/

In this series, we ask Danish companies why they continue to believe, despite growing pressures and uncertainties, that green business is good business. In this episode, we visit Danfoss.Usually, taking your own medicine has an unpleasant connotation, but for Danfoss, it’s proof of concept: By applying their own technologies to cut emissions, they demonstrate how competitive decarbonisation works in practice — both for the bottom line and for the climate.Many of us know Danfoss for their thermostats, but actually, they only account for 0.04% of the business. What Danfoss essentially does is provide components for industry and buildings that increase machine productivity, reduce emissions, lower energy consumption, and enable electrification. And with over 100.000 unique product references, taking their own medicine is no small feat.Want more from State of Green? https://stateofgreen.com/en/news/

In our new podcast series, Next Stop: Green Business, we go on the road to meet the Danish companies proving that green business is good business. From headquarters to production sites, we hear directly from the people turning climate ambitions into a competitive edge. Globally, there's never been more emphasis on the industrial sector’s role in driving down emissions and resource consumption. Many Danish companies are turning the challenge of creating green value chains into an opportunity for environmental, social and economic value creation, making the case for seeing the green transition of value chains not as a cost, but as a competitive advantage.Learn more and explore real-world cases at stateofgreen.com.

How do you create a cost-effective and sustainable heat transition? Why has Denmark chosen to bet on district heating? And what does it take to unlock its benefits? These are some of the questions discussed in this Sound of Green episode about heat planning and district heating. In this episode, we explore how decades of Danish experiences with heat planning and district heating are being disseminated and tell the story of the value they’ve already created just south of the Danish border. The story is told by Toke Liengaard advisor and team leader at the Danish Energy Agency, Volker Kienzlen, managing director of Klimaschutz- und Energieagentur Baden-Württemberg and Markus Lempp, Head of International Policy, Markets and Energy Economics at Danfoss.For information, check out our white paper at stateofgreen.com: https://stateofgreen.com/en/publications/district-energy/

In this episode, we speak with Mark Watts from the C40 network, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Pelle Bournonville from Realdania, and Louise Koch from Grundfos. Together, we explore how cities are taking the lead in the race to net-zero. Today, cities are home to over half of the world’s population and are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. As they increasingly grapple with the adverse effects of climate breakdown, they represent a critical unit to mobilise in the green transition. Yet, amidst these challenges, pioneering cities around the world are forging a path towards a sustainable future for their communities and the planet. And Danish cities and municipalities are making historic contributions to that endeavour. For more information and case material on green cities, visit https://stateofgreen.com/en/publications/?focus_areas=112,108

When Denmark goes to the COP, both public and private actors come along to advocate for green progress.While the fight against climate change holds many uncertainties, it’s abundantly clear that strong partnerships between public and private actors are a crucial part of the solution. And the COP offers a unique opportunity for those partnerships to be fostered and exercised.Read more about public-private partnerships at https://stateofgreen.com/en/

50 years ago, the late Prince Henrik of Denmark inaugurated the Danish extraction of oil and gas from the North Sea. 50 years later, on the 8th of March 2023, his son, Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, took part in reversing the traffic in the pipelines in a greener direction. He sent the first ever CO2 down the pipes to be stored underground, marking the beginning of a new business adventure in the global green transition. Find more information in our publication: https://stateofgreen.com/en/publications/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage/

Denmark has successfully engaged in public-private climate action for decades, and in 2019, it was taken to new heights with a project that has been dubbed the greatest green brainstorm in the nation’s history. In this episode, we explore how the public and private sector can work together to supercharge the green transition.

In each episode, we invite experts and stakeholders to convey Danish perspectives on a given challenge of the global green transition. Through decades of experience, Denmark has turned many of these challenges into opportunities. By sharing these experiences, we hope to help you do the same.