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 Community Chris Vrettos, Rescoop Mogens Halgskjær, Andel

In this episode we visit Schneider Electric at their CO₂-neutral plant in Ringsted. Here, sustainability is embedded in every facet of production, from lighting systems to waste management. As one of the world’s most sustainable companies, Schneider Electric has redefined what it means to run a low-emission, high-efficiency factory. Want more from State of Green? https://stateofgreen.com/en/news/

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/

Most people think of paint as something decorative, but at Hempel it’s something very different. Their coatings are engineered to protect, preserve, and optimise everything from ships to industrial infrastructure. In this episode of Next stop: Green Business, we explore how Hempel is transforming the coatings industry with solutions that cut fuel use, lower emissions, and extend the lifetime of essential assets - proving that when it comes to colour, Hempel is all about green. 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 PensionDanmark at their headquarters in Copenhagen. Being a first mover is not always easy, but 15 years ago, Pension Denmark saw a potential in investing in green energy making their members – and the world - much richer. 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 the latest episode of ‘Next stop: Green business’, we visit Grundfos – a company synonymous with water solutions, yet often operating behind the scenes. In a world where climate change manifests as both too much and too little water, Grundfos is making the case that water – and the energy we use to move it – is central to sustainable progress. 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 this episode of “Next stop: Green business”, we visit ROCKWOOL . ROCKWOOL is a legacy business. Founded in 1909, ROCKWOOL’s first stone wool factory was established in 1937 in Hedehusene just outside Copenhagen. Close to a century later, the group HQ is still in that very same spot, and unlocking the strengths of stone wool is still the company’s purpose. In this series, we ask Danish companies why they continue to believe, despite growing pressures and uncertainties, that green business is good business. The series will be published bi-weekly on your favourite podcast streaming platform. 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 .

In this episode of Sound of Green podcast, we explore ABQP4WIND: a industry-wide collaboration which have helped Denmark shape a global quality framework for wind energy. As the global build-out of wind energy accelerates to meet climate and energy security targets, so do the complexities of scaling its supply chains. In this episode of Sound of Green, we explore how a Danish-born initiative, APQP4Wind, is setting a new global standard for quality and collaboration in the wind industry. Learn more 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 of the Sound of Green podcast, we explore the potential of increased grid and market interconnectivity through the case of Viking Link: the world’s longest power cable connecting the UK and Denmark. Listen to the episode and get insights from key actors such as Michael C. Hjorth, Chief Commercial Officer at NKT , Kristoffer Böttzauw, Director of the Danish Energy Agency and Rebecca Sedler, Managing Director of Interconnectors at the UK energy company National Grid. How do you create an energy supply that is both green, affordable and secure all at the same? As the geopolitical events of the past few years have shown, it is an ideal that’s difficult to uphold. However, those same events have also made it clear that we can’t let the flow of renewable energy be constrained by borders if we want to see the green energy transition through. To be sure, distributing energy across borders and connecting both grids and markets requires a complex level of collaboration – one that Denmark has long succeeded in. For more information and case material on interconnectors: https://stateofgreen.com/en/focus-areas/energy-distribution-and-integration/

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

In this episode, we explore why it is not just imperative, but also lucrative to invest in the global green transition. It’s not news that the world urgently needs to transform energy systems and reduce CO2 emissions, increase climate resilience and protect biodiversity to secure a sustainable and liveable planet. What is sometimes forgotten though, is that these needs come with an initial hefty price tag. Download our free publication on green financing to learn more: https://stateofgreen.com/en/publications/financing-the-green-transition/

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/

In this episode, we explore why green hydrogen and power-to-x is a natural next step in the journey towards a future powered by renewable energy. There’s no doubt that renewable energy has been and continues to be our most important vehicle in the global green transition. Around the world, wind turbines and solar cells are increasingly powering our everyday lives - from heat pumps to electric vehicles, the need for clean energy is on the rise now more than ever. But as we’ve touched upon before in this podcast, there are parts of our society for which direct electrification is not a feasible solution. Find more information on power-to-x and green hydrogen in our publication: https://stateofgreen.com/en/publications/green-hydrogen-is-danish-hydrogen/

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/

Buildings are the spatial foundation of our daily lives. They are our homes, workspaces, schools, hospitals and serve many other human needs and purposes. But buildings are also one of the largest global consumers of energy. They account for a staggering 40% of global energy consumption and are responsible for about 30% of global CO2 emissions. As such, it is imperative that we make both the existing building stock and future buildings energy efficient. And if we do it right, the green transformation of the built environment can bring about a kind of sustainability that fundamentally improves the well-being of us all. In this episode, we explore how pursuing energy efficiency in buildings is crucial in the journey towards sustainable societies – both environmentally, economically, and socially. Visit stateofgreen.com and download our publication 'Energy renovation of buildings'..