Green organizations and companies: Our nine recommendations for the future of Danish food production

It is time to raise the level of ambition for our food system. Danish companies must be put in the driving seat for innovation food production, and we must develop stronger business models that can equip Denmark for a new reality. We live in a world where consideration for not only food production, but also to climate, environment, biodiversity and animal welfare, is taking up more space than ever. Both on a national and international level.
A number of companies and organizations have joined forces in a green growth team and have formulated nine recommendations that provide solutions for the development of the Danish agriculture and food industry.
Denmark has a very large potential to become a pioneering country that globally shows the way to the development of a food production, which creates life in the countryside, better conditions for both animals in production and wild animals and much greater biodiversity, says Britta Riis, director of Dyrenes Beskyttelse. Food production is a Danish position of strength – we possess the necessary knowledge, the right skills and a budding environment of new companies that have the potential to become the leading producers of the future.
The recommendations can thus help create the foundation for growth in the food companies that should form the core of future Danish food production.
Nine recommendations for the future of Danish food production

1. Better space for animals and less emissions

All animals must have access to outdoor areas, and the possibility of introducing limits on the number of animals per hectare must be investigated. This will reduce environmental impact, strengthen animal welfare and increase health in production.

2. Restructuring Fund for agriculturewho want to get out of animal production

A new fund – established in collaboration between the state and pension funds – will help agriculturewho want to convert from animal to plant-based production.

3. Phasing out soy imports in 2035

Denmark will phase out soy imports and instead support farmers who grow Danish protein-rich crops. A pool of DKK 800 million will ensure the transition and strengthen feed production based on Danish raw materials.

4. Public procurement must follow dietary guidelines

The state, regions and municipalities must require that their kitchens follow dietary guidelines and use at least 90 percent organic or foods with a low climate footprint. Public kitchens must take the lead in this green transition.

5. EU income support is replaced by rewards for green performance

Direct hectare support and coupled support should be converted into payment for concrete results on climate, water environment, biodiversity and animal welfare – especially to provide smaller and new agriculture better conditions.

6. Remove VAT on organic products

Organic food should be exempt from VAT. This will increase demand, improve health, create better animal welfare and help Denmark achieve its goals of more organic and plant-based production.

7. Regulation and phasing out of pesticides

A national program will develop alternatives to pesticides. An innovation fund of DKK 150 million annually for ten years will support new technologies and strengthen the export of pesticide-free solutions.

8. Strengthened export strategy for plant-based foods

Denmark must have a comprehensive national strategy for plant-based exports so that the country can take advantage of the growing global markets, where demand is increasing significantly.

9. New food fund for green transition

The public support that is still provided through the Alcohol Tax Fund to of agriculture own production levy funds for animal production, will be pooled into a new food fund that will finance the development, research and marketing of organic and plant-based products.

Statements from members of the green growth team

Britta Riis, director of the Danish Animal Protection Agency:

-Denmark has a very large potential to become a pioneering country that globally shows the way to the development of a food production, which creates life in the countryside, better conditions for both the animals in production and the wild animals, and much greater biodiversity.

Charlotte Skovgaard, CEO of Merkur Cooperative Bank:

-We see ecology as the cornerstone of a holistic strategy for climate, biodiversity and animal welfare. As a financial institution for a significant part of Denmark's organic and biodynamic agriculture, we want politicians to look towards precisely those agriculture, which produces with respect for nature, and that incentives are given for even more to join in. The recommendations of the green growth team are exactly in line with that approach.

Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, Secretary General of the Danish Vegetarian Association:

Growth must take place within planetary boundaries, and plant-based foods are the strongest guarantee of this. We have skilled plant-based food companies and hardworking farmers in Denmark, and they need solid political frameworks and investments that can give the plant-based industry the wings to fly. We will not get more nature in the world without a shift towards a food production, which can feed more people in less space. That is, a more plant-based food production.

Jeppe Juul, head of secretariat, Green Transition Denmark:

-With these recommendations we can develop a agriculture, which both produces more plant-based food, becomes free from its dependence on imported soy and no longer uses harmful pesticides. The food system we have today has too big consequences for the climate, environment, biodiversity and health. It is crucial to change direction. And here the EU plays a role agricultural support play a major role. At the same time, we must support the many good forces that are already in the process of converting to more organic farming and in other ways are farming with greater consideration for the soil, the aquatic environment and the climate, and are helping to strengthen the local environment.

Stella Staunstrup, Head of Secretariat, Plant Industry:

-It is clear to anyone with eyes that we need a new path for Danish food production. We simply need to prioritize differently than we do today, and invest massively in a better future. A very obvious tool to achieve this task is to make public meals follow the dietary guidelines. This will create a larger domestic market for plant proteins, reduce our enormous consumption of animal products and concretely show the Danes that a plant-rich plate is both delicious and filling. The plant industry has the solutions.

Rasmus Dose Sandorff, leader of the Ecological Youth Movement:

-A development of the Danish agriculture and food system towards a holistic, natural and agro-ecological food system is crucial for both the climate, the environment, the animals and ourselves. Young farmers, chefs, consumers and food professionals work for development every day. But if we want to achieve our goals, it also requires political action.

Sarah Hellebek, board member Andelsgaarde:

-There is no time to waste when it comes to the conversion of Danish agricultureWith the recommendations we can support agriculture on the path to a fair food system and helping a new generation enter the profession.

Marie Sainabou Jeng, founder and program director at Madland:

The food system of the future is already here. Every day, thousands of small-scale actors across the value chain are working on innovation and solutions that create new agriculture, products, food shops, eateries, meals and communities for change. They are role models for a reimagined food system that benefits citizens and society and promotes health, climate, biodiversity, animal welfare, well-being and the economy. A better food country is within reach, which is why we support the green recommendations to the Government for the food system of the future.

August Hermann, project manager Øm Klostergaard:

-At Øm Klostergaard we see how agriculture can become part of the solution when understood as a living ecosystem and a shared responsibility. We support the recommendations of the green growth team because it points to a new concept of growth, where healthy soil, clean water and strong local communities are the foundation of the economy of the future.

Kim Qvist, Director of Danish Organic Soil:

-Good and relevant recommendations, which must now be linked to a sustainable generational change, access to land, combined with new forms of ownership, here the state should play a central role.

Cecilie Engvang Lund, Co-founder & COO Tempty Foods:

-If Denmark is to succeed in the necessary transformation of food production, organic legislation must keep up with developments. Today, the rules are so strict that new climate-friendly technologies such as fermentation can hardly be certified as organic in practice. If we are to realise the report's ambition of a food system that is based on innovation, a low climate footprint and new production methods, it requires a modernisation of the framework for organic farming.

Henrik Christensen, CEO & Co-founder Perfect Season:

-If we don't want a country that makes our children and grandchildren sick in the future, organic farming must be the standard and not the option. That's why we need to make it much easier and more economical to switch to organic farming everywhere.

You can read more about the recommendations here: Green growth team

By |2026-08-28T10:29:35+01:0028 AUGUST 2026 |Press release|Comments closed for Green organizations and companies: Our nine recommendations for the future of Danish food production
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New green government starts well!

The presentation of the government's basis for the new government is a source of joy for the environmental organization Green Transition Denmark, which calls the government 'the greenest we have had.'

"It is truly gratifying that the greenest government we have ever had is off to a good start with a foundation that promises well for a green transition in Denmark. Although there are many important agendas at this time, the environment and climate still occupy a significant place in the government's foundation."", says Jeppe Juul, head of the secretariat of the environmental organization Council for Green Transformation.

A tightening of the climate target from 82% to at least 85% in 2035 means that the next round of the green transition must deliver broadly across society. This requires both structural transformations of energy, heating, transport, industry and agriculture – and a much stronger effort where we can create results here and now. Especially with a view to the fact that we still lack a plan to secure the 2030 target.

Accelerated electrification and a smarter power grid – but with continuing barriers

"The strongest aspect of the government's foundation is the strong focus on electrification, together with smarter use of the electricity grid. The government proposes that grid connection can be prioritized according to system value and societal value. This is crucial if a strained electricity grid is not to slow down electrification.”, says Britt Dam, Climate and Energy Advisor at the Green Transition Denmark.

At the same time, the organization emphasizes that in the new Four-leaf Clover government framework, there are still key uncertainties about the phasing out of gas boilers and biomass. It is positive with new immediate subsidies for the phasing out of oil and gas boilers and a focus on social balance. But the government continues to avoid saying clearly that gas boilers must be phased out. Biogas, also called “green gas”, is a limited resource and should only be used where electrification is difficult, and to reduce Europe's overall import needs – not to extend the life of an expensive and unreliable gas network for home heating.

The government also proposes to try to phase out imported biomass. However, EU regulations unfortunately make it doubtful whether this model will hold up in practice. Similarly, phasing out imported biomass will not benefit the Danish climate accounts.

Unclear signals about gas boilers and biomass thus risk constituting barriers to electrification, which the government rightly makes the main track in the green transition.

Transport and environment

"There are many good initiatives in the transport area that point forward. Particularly important in relation to aviation, where Danish-produced PTX fuels will contribute to the transformation of aviation and passenger taxes on private aircraft and cruise tourism. Likewise, free public transport for young people under 22 years of age will provide better utilization of public transport and make it more natural for new generations to use public transport."”, says Jeppe Juul.

"It is incredibly important that we now have a ban on spraying in groundwater areas. And coupled with an action plan for environmentally harmful substances in the marine environment, removal of VAT on fruit and vegetables, new stricter frameworks for animal production in agriculture and changes in agricultural support, some very important ships are being put into the sea for the environment in Denmark", says Lone Mikkelsen from the Green Transition Denmark.

Next step: From ambitions to concrete plans

Although there are many good elements in the government's framework, there are also tasks that are not mentioned that should also be addressed, and many elements need to be specified, according to the Green Transition Denmark. This is particularly true of areas where we can achieve quick and effective results.

“It is clear that we need a plan to close the gap to the 2030 target, as well as to ensure a safe path towards a higher 2035 target. A stop for Danish biomass for energy in 2030 would improve our climate accounts by approx. 13 million tons of CO2 towards 2035 – and even at a very low price. Likewise, methane reductions within the biogas value chain and livestock farming in particular can deliver fast and effective reductions here and now. Therefore, we need a methane plan so that we can secure our short-term climate goals,” emphasizes Britt Dam.

"The government is off to a great start, but there is a need for increased focus on environmentally hazardous substances in general. We are in the middle of a chemicals crisis and yet we lack concrete targets for phasing out the most harmful chemicals."”, says Lone Mikkelsen.

Regarding transportation, Jeppe Juul says: "Although there are several initiatives regarding public transport and cohesion in the country, there are no initiatives regarding self-driving mobility as part of public transport or increased incentives for switching to electric trucks. These will be some of the areas we will be pushing forward with going forward," says Jeppe Juul.

Green Transition Denmark finds solutions in close collaboration with other stakeholders.

Find our recommendations for the new government here.

By |2026-06-11T09:24:36+01:00June 2 2026|Press release|Comments closed to New Green Government starts well!
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Broad alliance warns: EU proposal risks weakening protection of Danish environment, drinking water and health

An upcoming suggestion from the European Commission on food and feed safety risks significantly weakening the EU's pesticide rules. This is warned by a wide range of Danish organisations in a new joint letter to the government.

The organizations assess that the proposal could have far-reaching consequences for public health, consumer safety, nature and the protection of Danish drinking water, which has been a central issue during the Danish election campaign.

“This proposal is not a simplification, but a weakening of the EU's pesticide legislation, and it limits Denmark's ability to respond to new knowledge. It is a step in the wrong direction, both for the environment, health and for our drinking water,” says Emilie Ellesøe, advisor, Green Transition Denmark.

Can keep dangerous pesticides on the market

The organizations warn that the proposal will weaken key elements of EU pesticide regulation by:

  • pesticides can in practice be approved without a time limit
  • remove the requirement for continuous reassessment of pesticide active ingredients
  • limit the ability of Member States to incorporate new knowledge
  • pesticides with proven risks may remain on the market for longer
  • use unclear definitions and expand exceptions

Consequences for the environment, drinking water and consumers

Overall, the proposal is assessed to weaken the precautionary principle and reduce the protection of the environment, groundwater and public health.

"We need to resort to a precautionary principle and prevent more pesticides, nitrates and other sources of pollution from finding their way into our drinking water," says Jesper Fisker, CEO of the Danish Cancer Society.

The lack of reassessment and limitation of new knowledge could mean that harmful substances remain in the environment longer and increase the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. The organizations warn that the proposal goes against the EU's own goals of reducing pesticide use and protecting the aquatic environment.

“It would be a disaster for the protection of the groundwater we extract for drinking if we were unable to ban pesticides and chemicals. The approval system is in no way a guarantee, because new knowledge and more sophisticated techniques are constantly changing the status of the substances used. Last year alone, the state banned 33 pesticides that were found to be leaching into the groundwater, but which otherwise had gone through the approval system,” says Carl-Emil Larsen, CEO of DANVA, the water companies' trade association.

At the same time, it is criticized that the proposal maintains a double standard, where pesticide residues that are not permitted in the EU can still occur in imported foods.

Calls on the government to resign

The organizations call on the government to clearly oppose the parts of the proposal that weaken pesticide legislation when it is considered in the EU, and instead to work for stronger legislation and sustainable alternatives such as organic and agroecology.

The organizations behind the letter are the Green Transition Denmark, Danish Waterworks, the Consumer Council Think, the Danish Cancer Society, the Association for Regenerative Agriculture, Free Farmers – Living Land, Greenpeace, the Danish Organic Association, DANVA, the Danish Ornithological Association and the WWF World Wildlife Fund.

The letter has been sent to the acting Minister of the Environment and Minister for Equality Magnus Heunicke (S), Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen (V), Minister for the Green Tripartite Jeppe Bruus (S), Minister of the Interior and Health Sofie Løhde (V) and Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre (V).

The letter can be read here..

Contact 

Emilie Ellesoe Nielsen

Advisor, Food and bioresources

+45 41114142
emilie@rgo.dk

or

Christian Ege

Senior Consultant, Food and Bioresources

+45 2858 0698
christian@rgo.dk

By |2026-06-01T12:48:07+01:00June 1 2026|Press release|Comments closed to Broad alliance warns: EU proposal risks weakening protection of Danish environment, drinking water and health
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The US is pressuring Denmark and Europe to waste energy in the midst of the Hormuz crisis

Denmark is one of the few countries in Europe that has ambitiously and timely implemented legislation, the EU Methane Regulation, which limits leaks and emissions of the extremely climate-damaging greenhouse gas methane and effectively reduces energy waste. Denmark is thus a role model for the whole of Europe. However, massive pressure against the legislation has now resulted in this effort being lost, with major consequences for both security of supply, energy prices and global warming. 

"It is worrying that parts of Europe are under American pressure to relax regulations that partly make us less dependent on oil states and partly reduce our gas needs and keep prices down by reducing sloppiness and waste," says Britt Dam, energy advisor to the Green Transition Denmark. 

Amid geopolitical unrest that threatens energy supplies and drives up oil and gas prices worldwide, the Trump administration is now tightening the screws and directly linking Europe's access to favorable LNG terms to demands that the EU not change the trade agreement between the two parties. At the same time, the US is increasing pressure to weaken the EU's Methane Regulation (EUMR), which specifically sets requirements for, among other things, the detection and repair of leaks in the energy sector, including for imports from countries such as the US. They are backed by certain member states and large parts of the oil and gas industry, which, under allegations that the EUMR threatens security of supply, are demanding deregulation and postponement. 

However, several analyses emphasize that the link between the deployment of the EUMR and the threat to security of supply is a fallacy. Most recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA), in a recently published report, emphasized that addressing methane emissions can strengthen energy security in the midst of the crisis. The IEA estimates that well-known reduction measures could release up to 200 billion m³ of natural gas annually – equivalent to almost double the LNG volume lost from the Hormuz crisis so far. Of this, around 15 billion m³ could be released quickly with a direct impact on the market in the short term. 

The pressure to weaken regulation therefore looks like yet another threat from the US that goes against the interests of Denmark and Europe. The pressure has escalated towards the publication of the Commission's long-awaited guidelines, which are crucial for ambitious and harmonised implementation of the EUMR across member states. A leaked draft on sanctions and fines, which the Green Transition Council has been given access to, indicates that the Americans are getting their way. Denmark may therefore in practice be forced to roll back its existing legislation on sanctions and fines. This constitutes a crucial tool for enforcement, and the Commission has asked the Danish Energy Agency to present its model to the Commission and other member states at a previous expert group meeting. The purpose of these meetings is to exchange experiences between countries, and the Danish model has also been highlighted as best in class in a comparative analysis conducted by Ecologic.  

Denmark has shown that implementation is possible in practice, and should serve as a model for the Commission's further work. However, the leaked document tells a different, frightening story. It gives member states unprecedented flexibility to postpone or suspend sanctions on the grounds of energy security. At the same time, the criteria are unclear and not time-limited, and enforcement of the legislation could in practice be put out of action indefinitely. This poses a serious risk that harmonisation between countries will become a race-towards-the-bottom, with serious consequences for energy security, price stability and climate. 

With Denmark's ambitious methane legislation, and with the Danish Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen at the head of the table in the rollout of methane regulation - who as the then Danish Minister of Climate Change was one of the forces behind the global target for methane reductions - Denmark needs to once again step into character to defend its own and Europe's interests against American threats and pressure. 

By |2026-05-13T13:42:51+01:0012 May 2026|Press release|Comments closed to the US, Denmark and Europe are pushing for energy waste in the midst of the Hormuz crisis
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New leadership at the Green Transition Denmark

The Council for Green Transformation has elected new leadership at an extraordinary general meeting. Bo Asmus Kjeldgaard will take over as the new chairperson, and Lars Pehrson will take on the role of deputy chairperson. At the meeting, the organization adopted new statutes that better reflect the organization's organization. 

At the same time, Jeppe Juul is now head of the secretariat. He will continue in his role as head of transport policy in parallel. This ensures continuity and strong professional anchoring in the organization's work. 

"The organizational changes have been a necessary adaptation to reduced revenues, which has, among other things, led to the closure of the previous management layer in the organization. This has been necessary to ensure that RGO can still contribute effectively to the green transition", says Bo Asmus Kjeldgaard. 

With the new composition, the Green Transition Denmark is well equipped to continue and expand its work for an ambitious and responsible green transition in Denmark. 

"RGO's great strength is that we can combine great professionalism and knowledge with collaboration and action, and find solutions across areas such as Energy, Transport, Chemicals and Agriculture. Much of our work also has an international character, which is important to make a real difference for the benefit of the climate and environment," says Bo Asmus Kjeldgaard. 

The new management, in close collaboration with the team of dedicated employees in the secretariat, will build on the strong foundation that the organization already stands on, and continue the effort to create concrete results in collaboration with decision-makers, business and civil society. 

About the Green Transition Denmark  

Green Transition Denmark is an independent non-profit environmental organization that has advised and communicated on climate and environmental issues for three decades. On a professional basis and often in collaboration with other actors, we formulate concrete solution proposals for politicians and other decision-makers in Denmark and the EU, so that they can make choices that benefit the green transition of society.  

READ MORE here. 

By |2026-05-12T12:33:30+01:0012 May 2026|Press release|Comments closed to New management at the Green Transition Denmark
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21 green organizations demand nature and biodiversity law

We are in a global biodiversity crisis, where we are losing species at a rate never seen before in human history. Over 1.900 species are threatened and at risk of disappearing from Denmark, and despite decades of efforts, the trend has not yet been reversed.

The main reason for the poor state of nature on land is that nature lacks space, because we use too much of the land area for intensive agriculture, forestry and other human activities. In the sea, nature is threatened by, among other things, bottom-dragged fishing, nutrient discharge and many other activities that destroy marine ecosystems. There is a consensus among biodiversity researchers that the solution is to allocate space for nature, where it is effectively protected and managed.

The current government promised a nature and biodiversity law in its government charter. A law that, like the Climate Act, would set targets for how large a proportion of Denmark's land and sea area should be protected and strictly protected nature. But this law has unfortunately not been passed.

Therefore, 21 green organizations have now joined forces in a joint appeal to politicians that a biodiversity law remains a crucially important task for a future government:

Give Nature the Law – A Biodiversity Act. We want a biodiversity act that will stop the loss of species, ensure better protection of nature and give wild nature more space.

We therefore have three important demands for the Biodiversity Act: 

  1. The law must ensure 30% protected nature on land and at sea. Protected nature must be natural areas where nature is effectively protected from threats to biodiversity. In protected nature, for example, there cannot be intensive agriculture, forestry and fishing with bottom trawls.
  1. The law must ensure 10% strictly protected nature on land and at sea. This means that one third of the protected nature must be strictly protected. Strictly protected nature must be large, continuous natural areas where wild nature is restored. Here, nature has priority over other interests, but with new opportunities for fantastic nature experiences.
  2. The Biodiversity Council must be guaranteed by law. The Council's tasks must be to continuously assess the government's efforts and goal achievement.

Senders: 

  1. Danish Society for Nature Conservation
  1. WWF
  1. Danish Ornithological Society/BirdLife Denmark
  1. Forests of the World
  1. Green Transition Denmark
  1. Greenpeace
  1. Crazy with Will
  1. The Species Association
  1. Denmark's Wild Nature
  1. The young biodiversity ambassadors
  1. FLOWER
  1. Plan B
  1. Nature & Youth
  1. The climate movement
  1. Lepidopterological Society
  1. Danish Mammal Society
  1. Danish Natural Grazing
  1. Danish Botanical Association
  1. Biology Association
  1. The Green Youth Movement
  1. Entomological Society
By |2026-03-11T12:37:13+01:0011. March 2026|Press release|Comments closed to 21 green organizations demand nature and biodiversity law
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Solution in sight for polluted port cities: Power the ferries

Aarhus–Sjællands Odde, Hirtshals–Larvik and Hirtshals–Kristiansand. These three routes are on the list of the 50 most climate-intensive ferry routes in Europe. At the same time, Danish ferries overall rank tenth among Europe's largest CO₂-emitting ferries. And as a result, pollution with harmful sulfur oxides (SOx) is high in several Danish coastal cities.

Now showing a new analysis from Transport & Environment that the solution is right in front of us: a switch from diesel to electricity.

“Electrification of ferry routes is one of the fastest ways to reduce CO₂ emissions from maritime transport, while improving air quality for local citizens. The battery technology is ready. With the right policy measures and investments in charging infrastructure in ports, Denmark can accelerate the transition and make many ferry routes emission-free within the next decade,” says Katerina Davidova, advisor to the Green Transition Denmark.

Electrification is particularly promising on short ferry routes of less than 100 km, which make up a large part of European ferry traffic. Ferries are a central part of Europe’s transport network, carrying around 400 million passengers each year and connecting islands and coastal areas with the mainland. But most ferries still run on diesel engines, contributing to both climate change and air pollution. In ports such as Barcelona, ​​Dublin and Naples, ferries are responsible for more toxic air pollution than all the cars in the cities combined.

For Denmark, which has more than 60 ferry routes connecting the country's islands and creating connections to neighboring countries, electrification of ferries represents a great opportunity to reduce both air pollution and climate footprint. And it makes sense to consider it from the start. A Danish ferry lasts an average of 27 years. Several are already underway. In addition to a number of smaller ferries, Molslinjen is having three electric ferries built for routes on the Kattegat. Scandlines has an electric ferry sailing between Rødbyhavn from Lolland to Puttgarden. And the Øresundslinjen's ferries between Helsingør and Helsingborg are also powered by electricity.

High levels of sulfur oxides in Aarhus, Frederikshavn and Rønne

Diesel ferries emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter. Electrification of ferries could significantly reduce air pollution in Danish port cities such as Rønne, Aarhus, Frederikshavn, Sjællands Odde and Spodsbjerg on Langeland, where ferries sail frequently and often close to residential areas. These five Danish ports with intensive ferry traffic have the highest concentrations of SOx emissions, often higher than emissions from road traffic in the cities in question.

Short and frequent ferry routes, common in the Baltic and North Seas, are particularly well suited to electrification because the ferries can charge quickly while passengers and vehicles are boarding. Denmark is also well-positioned thanks to strong renewable energy production, existing experience with electric ferries and a dense network of short ferry routes connecting islands such as Bornholm, Samsø and Ærø.

Political action is crucial to the pace of the transition. At the moment, the biggest obstacle to electrification is not batteries – it is the charging infrastructure in ports. However, the challenge is far from insurmountable. Most ports will only need relatively small chargers of less than 5 MW to support the operation of electric ferries.

In addition to investments in high-capacity charging infrastructure in Danish ports, a review of electricity tariffs and grid connection costs for ferry operators could create further incentives for electrification. Finally, using public procurement rules to prioritize zero-emission vessels when renewing the aging ferry fleet could accelerate the entire development.

By |2026-03-10T09:25:31+01:0010. March 2026|Press release|Comments closed Solution in sight for polluted port cities: Power the ferries
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New organization to promote sustainable use of self-driving technology in Denmark

A new organization, Strategic Alliance for Autonomous Mobility – SAAM Denmark, has been launched. The organization, which aims to promote the sustainable use of self-driving technology, was founded by the environmental organization Rådet for Grøn Omstilling and the company Holo, which has been working with self-driving technology since 2016.

“Denmark has all the prerequisites to become a pioneer country for autonomous mobility, but this requires that we move from pilot projects to scalable solutions. SAAM must be the platform that brings together knowledge, actors and concrete projects – and makes the technology work in practice.” says Stefan Krogh-Hansen, CEO, Holo

The purpose is to create an alliance that will bring together the players in Denmark and at the same time function as an international contact point, raise the level of knowledge about the technology in Denmark and create projects that can contribute to the rollout of the technology.

"The technology is ready. It is more about how we want to use the technology in our society. That is why it is important to have an alliance that can work to ensure that Denmark can fulfill the potential that exists to create more efficient transport and logistics, while at the same time we can minimize resource consumption and contribute with better and cheaper mobility, especially in remote areas of Denmark."", says Jeppe Juul from SAAM.

SAAM has a special focus on how self-driving technology can be used as part of public transport. Therefore, it is natural that the first members of SAAM are the Danish Transport Companies.

"We are really pleased that the transport companies are actively looking into how technology can be used as part of public transport, and we are really pleased that they think that SAAM is a good framework for this work. The potential for improving mobility, especially for the outer areas of Denmark, is great and the transport companies are the natural place to anchor the effort."”, says Jeppe Juul.

Together with similar organizations in other European countries, SAAM Denmark is part of the European organization PAVE.

For further information:

www.saam.dk

www.letsholo.com

By |2026-02-19T08:43:06+01:0019. February 2026|Press release|Comments closed New organization to promote sustainable use of self-driving technology in Denmark
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EU weakens climate regulation after pressure from EU car industry

In a new proposal, the EU Commission proposes to slow down the speed of the green transition of road transport and postpone the phasing out of new fossil cars in 2035. The environmental organization Green Transition Denmark is deeply disappointed and concerned about the EU's ability to achieve its climate goals and about the automotive industry's ability to cope in global competition.

In a new 'car package', the EU Commission proposes to significantly weaken the EU's climate regulation of new vehicles. While the reduction requirement in 2035 is reduced from 100% to 90% and the target in 2030 for vans is reduced from 50% to 40%, and the target for trucks up to 2030 is also reduced. At the same time, several measures are being introduced that further erode the regulation. For passenger cars, this could mean that 25% of all new cars sold will not be electric cars.

Jeppe Juul, head of transport policy at the Green Transition Denmark, is very disappointed.

"The dilution of the EU's CO2 requirements for new cars harms both the climate, the EU's security and competitiveness. And already today, ordinary Danes' purchases of electric cars are above the level the EU Commission is now proposing for 2035. So it is very disappointing that the EU Commission has chosen to bow to pressure from an industry that apparently prefers to make money by selling outdated technology."

At the same time, he emphasizes that it is a very short-term strategy for the automotive industry.

"The European automotive industry is under great pressure in many markets. Not because of regulation in the European market, but because they cannot compete with, for example, electric cars in the Chinese market. Batteries and electric cars are getting cheaper and cheaper. So focusing on selling fossil cars for a longer period in the EU is therefore difficult to see as a winning strategy, but on the contrary will make it easier for, among others, Chinese manufacturers to take over an even larger part of the European market," says Jeppe Juul.

He also believes that the EU's self-determination is largely about how quickly we can phase out the use of fossil vehicles, as the transport sector accounts for the majority of oil consumption, which is almost exclusively imported, from, for example, the USA and the Middle East.

At the same time, the European Commission is proposing increased state aid for the automotive industry to boost battery production in the EU and is also proposing requirements to buy green and European in connection with larger commercial fleets.

By |2025-12-16T18:13:11+01:0016. December 2025|Press release|Comments closed to EU weakens climate regulation after pressure from EU car industry
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EU truck manufacturers are failing the EU and the climate

EU truck manufacturers Scania, Mercedes, Volvo Trucks, MAN and IVECO have sent a letter to the European Commission asking for a significant reduction in the CO2 requirements for new trucks. The proposal would mean that 27% fewer electric trucks will be sold in the EU by 2030. The environmental organization Rådet for Grøn Omstilling is speechless.

"It is very worrying that truck manufacturers are now trying to destroy the EU's CO2 requirements for new trucks in 2030 to the detriment of the climate and the EU's business community," says Jeppe Juul, Head of Transport Policy at the Green Transition Denmark

And this is not the first time that the truck industry has tried to destroy CO2 regulation for trucks.

“A few months ago, truck manufacturers filed a lawsuit against California’s CO2 requirements for trucks and now they are going against the European regulation. It is very disappointing. We thought that the European truck manufacturers actually thought that they would convert, but now it seems that they just want to be allowed to continue with diesel trucks for many more years.””, says Jeppe Juul.

He emphasizes that it is not only the climate that loses if truck manufacturers get their way,

"Truck manufacturers are only part of an overall value chain that has been designed according to the EU's goals. And if you mess with the goals, you create significant uncertainty in the market and doubt about the investments made by, among others, the component industry and the charging industry," says Jeppe Juul and continues:

"The automotive industry is currently working against the EU's strategic interests. Not only are they trying to maintain the EU's heavy dependence on oil from petrostates that are not necessarily friendly to us, but they are also damaging the EU's chances of having an automotive industry at all. Instead of investing wholeheartedly in new technology, the automotive industry is taking its foot off the accelerator and thus leaving a large part of the green transition to Chinese companies."

It is now initially up to the EU Commission what should happen with the regulation going forward.

By |2025-10-30T17:37:00+01:0030. October 2025|Press release|Comments closed to EU truck manufacturers, the EU and the climate are failing
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