Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,

The recent trilogy of reports from the IPCC, made it very clear: Our planet is in a state of alert - as our planet heats up, nature is suffering. And, as a direct consequence, people and economies are suffering. We need to share knowledge and engage in partnerships across the globe to facilitate the necessary green global transition.

Today’s official launch of the United Nations Environment Programme Copenhagen Climate Centre, known as UNEP-CCC, is an important step in that direction.

I am proud that we in Denmark can accommodate the UNEP-CCC. In Denmark we have been engaged in developing green energy solutions since the 1970s, where the oil crises forced our politicians, engineers and scientists to focus on energy efficiency and alternative energy resources. We have indeed been thinking green for centuries, and recently, Denmark set the ambitious target of reducing emissions by 70 per cent by 2030.

Our Capital is one of the greenest cities in the world. You can swim in the clean waters of Copenhagen, actually just outside the UN City here in Copenhagen. And just on the other side, in Nordhavn you have the most recent example of how electricity and heating, energy-efficient buildings and electric transport can be integrated into an intelligent and smart energy system.

But action within one country or one city will not be enough to exit the climate emergency. The world must come together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And it must come together to help developing nations and vulnerable communities to cope with the devasting impacts of climate change.

Denmark’s climate strategy is founded on the principle of cooperation. The strategy commits Denmark to influencing others, and together with the private sector, to limit global warming. To shifting financial flows from fossil fuels to green, climate friendly investments. And to helping those shouldering the biggest climate burden to cope and adapt.

Hosting the UNEP-CCC further shows Denmark’s commitment to making these goals a reality. This new centre builds on thirty years of work by its predecessors – including a hugely successful partnership between UNEP and the Technical University of Denmark. This partnership brought science and solutions to bear on the climate crisis. Now these efforts are shifting up a gear.

The UNEP-CCC will support developing countries to move into a climate-resilient and low-carbon development. It will work to ensure that nobody is left behind.

In closing, let me thank both UNEP and UNOPS for their own commitment. With two such dedicated and inspirational bodies at the helm, I expect to see great things from this centre as we move, together, to cope with climate change.

Thank you.

 

(Det talte ord gælder)