particular, the poorest and most vulnerable developing countries as well as knowledge- sharing with other developed countries more broadly. Strong, comprehensive and inclusive dialogues on the national, regional and global level will be crucial for strengthening abilities and efforts aimed at adapting to climate change.
Can you discuss your thoughts on the importance of green technologies and why they are so vital at the moment? Ida Auken: Green technologies provide an opportunity to make production and consumption more resource-efficient. They also offer the chance to create growth and new workplaces by tapping into a market for green and resource-efficient technologies and products. This is extremely important at a time
when everybody is looking for new jobs and new growth opportunities; at a time when the market for key resources are driving prices up and affecting the competitiveness of a wide range of industries; and at a time when the market for new, resource-efficient solutions is expected to grow in response to increased pressure on natural resources.
How do you see research as a way to promote innovation, ‘green’ technologies and jobs? Ida Auken: It is important to acknowledge that companies and technology developers themselves are the best people to come up with innovative thinking and invent the new solutions needed. What we try to do is to make sure that
there is a link to the resource and environmental issue that we want to solve and the regulation that we already have in place or that we expect to be put in place. We want to use innovation as a way to
facilitate timely transition of the Danish industry and state of the art technology development as the basis for green growth and exports.
Can you discuss the Danish green technologies
such as water-saving
technologies and cleaner shipping? Ida Auken: Technology-development in areas such as water-saving technologies and cleaner shipping are good examples of the way we handle green innovation here in Denmark. There is a strong link between regulation
– IMO regulation on air-pollution from ships or ballast-water; an effective pricing mechanism on water use – and the combined efforts of industry and public funding
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schemes, which had led to targeted technology development in those areas. On water-saving technologies, cleaner shipping and other areas, the Danish Ministry of Environment has launched a series of targeted technology partnerships with relevant actors. The ministry has played an active role in these partnerships.
In the future I think the important thing – not only for Denmark but also in the EU and other places – will be to strengthen the integration of green technologies and the green economy into other policy areas. This will enable us to develop a broad ranging and long term set of policies that can really change the name of the game.
“Green technologies provide an opportunity to make production and consumption more resource-efficient”
What are the benefits, as you see them, of green technologies? Ida Auken: The benefits in short are: increased competitiveness through resource-efficiency, growth opportunities through a market in rapid development, creation of jobs and the transition to a green economy with reduced resource consumption and environmental pressure.
How do you plan to accelerate Eco- innovation? Ida Auken: We have just increased the budget for targeted test and development of new green technologies in the Danish Ministry for the Environment.
Can you discuss the Danish Presidency’s thoughts on starting to solve the financial crisis in relation to the climate and resource crisis? Ida Auken: To me, step one is to acknowledge that we live in times of multiple crises – we are now confronted not only with a financial and economic crisis, but also we face severe challenges from a climate and a natural resource crisis. Our natural resources, which we rely on for all economic activity and social and economic development, are under severe pressure.
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