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Denmark’s National Statement to the COP 2013

By on nov 29, 2013 in English, Speeches | 0 comments

I wrote this statement to Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard as the Danish national statement to the COP19 in Warsaw, Poland, November 21, 2013. National Statement Your Excellencies – Ladies and Gentlemen A couple of months ago I visited a small Arctic settlement in the North-Eastern part of Greenland together with my Greenlandic colleague. On the fragile cover of ice and snow, climate change has left its unmistakable warning about what is coming to all of us. It is here that we see the change first written in black and white as clear as the IPCC report. The locals told us about the rapidly receding sea ice and its impact on their lives. It is not the first time I have witnessed the consequences of man-made climate change in Greenland. As a barometer the Arctic changes warn us of a climate in distress, screaming for a comprehensive global response....

Speech – Towards a Greener Lithuania

By on nov 29, 2013 in English, Speeches | 0 comments

I wrote this speech to Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard to be delivered at Energy Conference at National Art Gallery, Vilnius, Lithuania, October 9, 2013. Towards a Greener Lithuania Your Royal Highness, Ambassadors, Honoured Ministers and Mayor, Ladies and gentlemen There is a story I know, about a small and flat country in Northern Europe. It is flat with green pastures, and with a long history of changing luck on the global stage. It could be Denmark – and it could be Lithuania just as well. We share the desire for a green and growing economy – and for a liveable future for our children and grandchildren. We have so much in common – and yet the opportunities for us to learn more from each other are far from exhausted. One of the first memories I have, is when Denmark was hit by an oil crisis. As a child what I saw was cars being banned on Sundays....

Speech – The Green Light at the End of the Tunnel

By on nov 15, 2013 in English, Speeches | 0 comments

This speech was written for Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard to be delivered at the Professional Lighting Design Convention, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 1, 2013.   The Green Light at the End of the Tunnel Climate change is already here, it will shape our future and it will force our economies to become sustainable. It will be a challenge for all of us – but also an opportunity. There is a green light at the end of the tunnel. The green light is the knowledge that we can combine sustainable with profitable and comfortable. We have the traditions, the technology and the creativity. All we need is someone to put them together. We can do that! And we have to do that! In Denmark we have a strong tradition of innovative lighting. In 1903 the Danish doctor and researcher Niels Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize. He was a researcher in light and health....

Speech – Biomass and a Clean Green Guarantee

By on okt 15, 2013 in English, Speeches | 0 comments

This speech was written to Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard to be delivered at 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 3 2013.   Biomass and a Clean Green Guarantee In Denmark we have set sails with an ambitious course for a green transition. Over the past 30 years the Danish economy has grown steadily while energy consumption has remained almost unchanged. Between 1990 and 2010 Denmark has more than tripled the share of renewable energy. And we are not done. Our visions are crystal clear. We are set for a fossil fuel free energy and transport system with 100 pct. renewable energy by 2050. By 2035, all electricity and heating will be generated using renewable sources. That means that by 2020 half of the power consumption will be wind power and more than 35 pct. of the final consumption will come from renewable...

Speech – Climate Finance in the Round Tower

By on sep 15, 2013 in English, Speeches | 0 comments

This speech was written for Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard to be delivered at Copenhagen Climate Finance Meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Copenhagen, Denmark, 22 October, 2013.   Climate Finance in the Round Tower Mr. Secretary General, honourable ministers, distinguished business leaders and policy makers Welcome! Tonight we gather in the Round Tower. Build by the Danish King Christian the Fourth in 1642 as an observatory in the tradition of Tycho Brahe, the Danish astrologist. We meet to discuss public and private roles in climate finance. And this building itself may hold several lessons for us. The King played a prominent part in planning this building. But the height of the Round Tower was only decided after the construction process was well under way. The Tower serves as a reminder of the need to get started – even if you...

Speech – Setting Green Sails

By on sep 15, 2013 in English, Speeches | 0 comments

This speech was written for Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard to be delivered at Launch of New Offshore Wind Turbine Prototype at VESTAS, Kerteminde, Denmark, August 29, 2013.   Setting Green Sails The climate is changing and as a result Denmark has set our sails for a green transition of the entire energy sector. Wind is absolutely crucial and absolutely central for our journey. Wind power is the great flagship of our green fleet. Wind power is the green fuel of our great force. Without wind power the Danish green transition would look completely different. Wind power is an important part of Danish energy policy. When this government looks toward the horizon we see a fossil fuel free energy system in 2050 – a Danish society based entirely on renewable energy. That is our guiding star. But as in any journey across the sea, there are always...