Fossil free Energy Sector Holds the Key to Unlocking Denmark's Climate-neutral Future Energy sector roadmap

Denmark, along with most countries in Europe, wants to be climate neutral by 2050 to help limit global warming below 1.5°C. As a stepping-stone the Danish government set a stretch target to reduce carbon emissions by 70% below 1990 levels, by 2030. Denmark will have to cut 26 million tons of carbon emissions in the next decade, or about as many tons as it has cut the past 30 years.

The Danish government sees a big role for the private sector in reducing emissions. It has formed 13 climate partnerships with businesses to develop sectoral roadmaps for reducing emissions in specific industrial sectors, as well as contributing to reductions in other sectors and internationally. The energy and utilities sector stands out with a roadmap to be virtually fossil free by 2030, and that could inspire other countries to decarbonise their energy and utilities sectors.

“It has never been clearer that a green future based on 100% renewable energy is within reach. A radical green transformation is achievable – without having to compromise our fundamental prosperity and society as we know it,” says Henrik Poulsen, CEO of renewable energy company Ørsted and Chair of the Climate Partnership for the Energy and Utilities sector. “Over the next decade, this transformation will make green energy the catalyst of Denmark’s future growth and prosperity, strengthening the competitiveness of Danish businesses,” he adds, in Powering Denmark’s Green Transition, the sector’s roadmap report.