Although there are several major crises at the moment, we must not forget the climate. Right now, the world is heading towards approximately 3 degrees of global warming by the year 2100. Such a temperature increase will change our planet fundamentally. Losses from the ice masses, especially in the polar regions, will lead to greater sea level rise and more frequent flooding. We must make a major effort for coastal adaptation and climate adaptation, but this will not solve the problem in the long term and must not overshadow initiatives to reduce emissions. Long before 3 degrees of warming, there is a great risk that we will exceed so-called tipping points, i.e. irreversible processes that will continue regardless of whether we subsequently stop greenhouse gas emissions.

Denmark will also be indirectly affected when the rest of the world is hit by extreme weather such as droughts, heat waves and floods. Billions of people live in climate-vulnerable areas today, and the worse climate change gets, the more people will be forced to leave. If we do not curb climate change, countries and supply chains will be destabilized. Therefore, climate policy is also security policy. At the same time, an offensive climate policy is crucial to ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Denmark and Europe and thus the further development of our welfare society.

It is crucial that the global temperature increase is kept as close as possible to the 1,5 degrees, which is the international target. Unfortunately, it is too late to avoid exceeding 1,5. But the increase must peak as soon as possible and then be reduced by means of negative emissions, i.e. a stop to fossil fuels followed by carbon storage.

It must be ensured that Denmark reaches the 70 percent target by 2030. Although there is a plan to achieve the target, it is based too heavily on uncertain technologies. The Climate Council has said in its latest report that we do not appear to be able to achieve the 2030 target. Safe instruments must be stepped up more. The good news is that today we know very well the solutions needed to achieve the targets, for example:

• Fossil fuels are being replaced by renewable energy – natural gas for heating can be quickly phased out, and the transition to electricity in transportation can be accelerated.
• Investments in electricity and heat storage so that security of supply will continue to be top notch.
• Increased electrification of heavy industry, transport and heat supply
• The electricity grid in Denmark and Europe is being expanded so that energy can be more easily transported over greater distances.
• Energy savings are promoted, for example with financial incentives to energy-renovate and convert existing buildings and thus avoid new construction.
• Support for the European emissions trading system and the use of taxes to make it cost more to pollute the climate. Increased taxes on air travel, especially long and frequent trips, while making alternatives more attractive.
• Dietary change to less animal-based and more plant-based, including through tax restructuring and conversion of public kitchens – and at the same time conversion of Danish agriculture to produce more plant-based food.
• A circular economy is built by investing more in design for sustainability, durable goods and by making it attractive to repair rather than throw away and buy new.
• Much more investment must be made in retraining personnel in all sectors for the green transition.

A number of initiatives extend beyond 2030. These include a halt to investments in new oil and gas fields, as well as a phasing out of the vast majority of wood-based biomass in the energy sector. Here too, we must move quickly.

We must work to ensure that the EU sets targets for regulating the climate impact outside the EU's borders, which is caused by the import of goods. Finally, we must live up to our international obligations to provide climate assistance to developing countries. Denmark is today a pioneer in some areas such as wind power. But in other areas we are lagging behind. Denmark, for example, has a European record in waste production and is calculated to be 4% circular, where the EU average is 12%. Therefore, the idea that we can stop and wait for the others has no relevance.

Denmark's economy is booming, and there are many Danish jobs in an ambitious international climate policy. To ensure support for the green transition, it must be fair. Low-income families must be compensated. Local communities must be involved and have concrete benefits from wind and solar parks.

Although Denmark is a small country, we have an important role to play in pulling the EU and the rest of the world in that direction. And by freeing ourselves from fossil fuels and supplying renewable energy to neighboring countries, we are also helping to free Europe from dependence on oil and gas from Russia and other unreliable regimes, which is crucial for our security. We are also promoting public health, as, for example, electrification removes air pollution. And today, green energy equals cheap energy. That is also why we must sharpen our climate ambitions. And that will not prevent us from pursuing other important agendas.

This opinion piece was published in Politiken on March 20, 2026, and was written by: Connie Hedegaard, former Climate Commissioner, Jesper Theilgaard, meteorologist, Professor Kathrine Richardson, University of Copenhagen, Professor Sebastian Mernild, SDU, Professor Eigil Kaas, University of Copenhagen, Professor Jens Friis Lund, University of Copenhagen, Professor Harpa Birgisdottir, AAU, Tommy Ahlers, entrepreneur, Lars Bonderup Bjørn, EWII, Mathias Aarup Berg, European Energy, Asbjørn Haugstrup, Innargi, Jacob Jelsing, Gubra, Sylvester Rishøj, Arkaia Foundation, Ulrik Kern-Hansen, Organic Plant protein, Jan Ove Petersen, FAOD (Architects and designers), Laura Klitgaard, IDA (Engineers), Gordon Ørskov Madsen, Danish Teachers' Association, Anders Frigge, GL (High School Teachers), Niels Bertelsen, Prosa (IT employees), Maria Gjerding, Danish Nature Conservation Association, Tim Whyte, Inter-Agency Cooperation, Lars Kock, Oxfam Denmark, Jeppe Juul, Green Transition Denmark, Stine Bardeleben Helles, Climate Movement, Knud Vilby, author, Henrik Stubkjær, bishop of the Ribe diocese, Jonas Nøddekær, Danish Church Aid, Christian Balslev-Olesen, former head of Danish Church Aid.