The EU's housing fix has a Danish twist
Earlier this week, the new European Commission took office for the first time. A team of European Commissioners, handpicked by President Ursula von der Leyen, has begun the task of transforming strategies into action. Their priorities span from defence and security to sustainable prosperity, democracy, and social fairness.
In its first 100 days, the Commission has committed to several significant initiatives, including the Clean Industrial Deal, an Affordable Housing Plan, and a Circular Economy Act, building on the European Green Deal’s framework and aligned with directives such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
From a Danish perspective, Dan Jørgensen’s appointment as the new Commissioner for Energy and Housing stands out. Formerly Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities, Jørgensen assumes a crucial role. He will oversee efforts to provide affordable housing and promote a sustainable building stock across Europe.
Jørgensen’s responsibilities include reducing energy costs for households and businesses, increasing clean energy production, upgrading Europe’s grid infrastructure, and developing a secure, interconnected, and resilient energy system.
This is no small feat, given the significant challenges Europe faces. Rising living costs, housing shortages, energy poverty, and business pressures are compounded by migration management and broader societal, environmental, and economic shifts. Enhancing energy efficiency will be key to addressing these issues, not only by lowering costs but also by strengthening the security of supply and resilience across the continent.
In Denmark, energy efficiency and the decarbonisation of homes and buildings are deeply ingrained. This commitment was underscored last week by a new report showing steady progress in improving building efficiency over the past five years. The 2024 Energy Labelling Scheme Status Report by the Danish Energy Agency highlights a shift towards higher energy ratings, reflecting Denmark’s dedication to sustainable building practices.
The Energy Labelling Scheme is one of many initiatives introduced by Denmark to reduce energy consumption, lower emissions, and support broader climate goals.
Today, Denmark boasts a comprehensive regulatory framework for energy efficiency, featuring a strict building code, energy labelling, and public-private partnerships. Leveraging a 50-year legacy, Danish companies provide cutting-edge solutions, positioning Denmark as a leader in sustainable technologies.
Discover some of these below.
Solutions
Greening the UN one building at a time
The UN city, designed by 3XN, exemplifies sustainable and resilient building design, integrating energy efficiency, climate adaption, and collaboration to achieve one of Denmark's most energy-efficient and environmentally conscious office complexes.
CO2mpare: Open access carbon database for buildings
Ramboll's open-access CO2mpare tool enables benchmarking carbon emissions across 130+ building projects, accelerating construction decarbonisation.
A framework for healthy, sustainable, and resilient buildings
The "Healthy Buildings Barometer" by VELUX promotes healthier, low-carbon, and cost-effective buildings, integrating health, sustainability, and resilience into EU policies.
Latest news
Innovative app to ease power outages in Ukraine
The 'Ukrenergo app', developed by Ukrenergo—Ukraine’s transmission system operator—and the Danish Energy Agency, helps address energy challenges by reducing the impact of power outages in Ukraine.
Danes embrace energy efficiency with building improvements
Denmark has experienced a rise in energy efficiency improvements in homes and buildings nationwide. A new report from the Danish Energy Agency highlights an increase in practical energy upgrades, recommendations and cost-effective building improvements.
Green financing in the maritime industry: Steering towards a sustainable future
With the mounting pressures of climate change, evolving regulations, and a shifting investor landscape, the path to achieving long-term financial and environmental sustainability is becoming a crucial focal point for the maritime industry.
Stay on top of green initiatives and trends from around the world. State of Green Weekly is your short-read presenting current climate issues from a Danish perspective.
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