Through presentations and debates, our conference focused on the state of the Danish seas, the tools we have at our disposal, and the political will to act. The focal point was this question: Will our seas recover?

On Wednesday, January 22, the Green Transition Denmark's Ocean Conference 2025 took place in the Common Hall at Christiansborg.

The main message was clear and distinct: The task is big and time is short – that's why we need more tools to reduce the discharge of nutrients and chemicals into our oceans.

We will only have a good marine environment if we acknowledge the challenge and do what science says is necessary. There must be action behind the words: convert areas, solidly regulate nitrogen, limit the use of harmful chemicals and adequately treat our wastewater.

We have collected important messages and a number of images from the conference in this PDF and here on the page. The pictures were taken by photographer Bjarke Ørsted.

The opening speech was given by Jeppe Bruus (S), Minister for the Green Tripartite, and Bjarke Møller, Director of the Green Transition Denmark, was the moderator.

Stiig Markager, professor, Department of Ecoscience, AU, said in his presentation that the ocean's food chain has broken down. It takes an average of 20-30 years, and for Roskilde Fjord a full 1066 years, before our fjords return to good condition.

Niklas Sjøbeck Jørgensen, Senior Advisor at the Danish Green Transition Denmark, emphasized that a good marine environment is not a desk exercise, and that we must act on what science says is required. He presented a toolbox for the marine environment that can supplement the Tripartite Agreement, which, among other things, will initiate emergency measures from 2026.

Lone Hjorth Mikkelsen, senior advisor at the Green Transition Denmark, Kristian Syberg, Associate Professor, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University og Henriette Selck, Senior Consultant, Think Tank Hav, highlighted the lack of focus on chemical emissions and knowledge about all the chemicals that exist.

It is positive that EU requirements for better wastewater treatment have now been adopted, but we cannot simply clean the problem away. The tap must be turned off. In parallel with better wastewater treatment, we must have a sharp focus on phasing out, substitution and banning (without many exceptions).

At the same time, the use of pesticides in agriculture works to avoid attention. The consumption leads to direct leaching and seepage into the aquatic environment of active substances that have been completely inadequately studied for harmful effects.

The following participated in the political debate: Marianne Bigum (SF), who also hosted the conference and gave a welcoming speech, Rasmus Jarlov (K) and Thomas Monberg (S).

The program looked like this:

12.30-13.00 Arrival w. coffee and croissant

13.00-13.05 Welcome by Marianne Bigum, SF

13.05-13.20 Opening speech by Jeppe Bruus, Minister for Green Tripartite

13.20-13.50 Danish marine environmental efforts - is it enough?

Stiig Markager, professor, Department of Ecoscience, AU

13.50-14.10 Control the nutrients

Niklas Jørgensen, senior advisor, Green Transition Denmark

14.10-14.30 Break with coffee and cake

14.30-15.00 The world's wildest underwater hunt

Morten Rosenvold Villadsen, freediver and underwater hunter

15.00-15.30 How long should we continue emitting chemicals?

Kristian Syberg, lecturer, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University

Lone Mikkelsen, senior advisor, Green Transition Denmark

15.30-15.50 Contaminated waste water and the marine environment

Henriette Selck, senior consultant, Tänketanken Hav

15.50-16.30 Debate with political rapporteurs

Moderated by Bjarke Møller, director, Green Transition Denmark

16.30-17.00 Networking with wine and snacks

Financed with a grant from the European Council. Responsibility for the content lies solely with the grant recipient.

The project is supported by: