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Denmark announces investment in international green partnerships

The Local Denmark
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Denmark announces investment in international green partnerships
Workers walk past solar cells in Chuzhou, China. Photo: STR/Scanpix

Denmark's foreign ministry announced Friday that it will invest 115 million kroner ($17 million) in a series of energy partnerships with China, Mexico, Vietnam and South Africa.

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40 years of experience with sustainable energy puts Denmark in an ideal position to help the four countries with their conversions to green energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Partnerships starting on July 1st with authorities in Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa and China – the latter currently produces almost 30 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions – will benefit global climate as well as Danish industry, the ministry wrote.

“It’s not just a question of putting up wind turbines and solar panels. The total energy system should be functional and coherent, so that power also comes out of the socket when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. It’s complex to streamline and implement. That’s why large growth economies have asked for Denmark’s help,” says the statement released by the ministry.

READ ALSO: Why Denmark is no longer seen as global green leader

Energy and climate minister Lars Christian Lilleholt added that the energy work between Denmark and the partner countries would “open more doors” for Danish companies and Danish export.

“It will create Danish jobs and contribute to growth, well-being and welfare in Denmark… It is our vision that energy technology exports will double in value from 70 million kroner [$10.5 million] in 2015 to at least 140 million kroner [$20.1 million] in 2030,” Lilleholt said.

The UN’s 17 new global targets for sustainable development have been a key factor in stimulating demand for green technology, services and solutions that the Danish energy industry is a world leader in, says the ministry.

“We are contributing to achieving the global ambitions of the targets for how the world will develop towards 2030 and the targets of the Paris climate agreement. There’s more need for this than ever before. And the Danish energy sector is part of the solution,” said minister for developmental collaboration Ulla Tørnæs.

The announcement by the foreign ministry comes the day after US president Donald Trump disappointed leaders across Scandinavia and the rest of Europe by announcing his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris climate accord.

READ ALSO: Danish PM on Paris Agreement: I can’t dictate to Trump

Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen wrote “it’s a sad day for the world” on Twitter following Trump's announcement Thursday. 

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