Your Royal Highnesses, Your Highnesses, Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, distinguished guests and delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

It was with great pleasure that I accepted this opportunity to address industry leaders, investors, scientists, specialists, policy makers and researchers at this year’s World Future Energy Summit. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for hosting this globally important summit.

Creating a sustainable future for our globe relies heavily on our success in developing and implementing green and clean energy solutions. Today, all states, developed as well as developing acknowledge the fact that we have to take action in order to create a more secure and climate friendly future.

And I can only stress the importance of this issue. The impact of climate change is global, but the signs are more evident in extreme climatic areas, for example, the Arctic. Greenland holds a special place in my heart.  From my first meeting with Greenland and the Greenlandic people to my 3 months expedition with dog sledges covering more than 2000 km along the northern and north-eastern coastline during spring.  A grueling expedition that honoured the way the Greenlandic people have always travelled and survived.  Since then my visits have been regular, the last with my cousins and colleagues Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.  A visit that again illustrated that Climate change is changing the way the Greenlandic people live. Hunting and Fishing are their primary sources of income and food and this is being threatened by rising temperatures.  For me, this is a clear example of the necessity to adapt.  How are we as a global community able to adapt in order to combat the negative impact of climate change?  How can we adapt by rethinking our use and conservation of energy?  Tough questions….questions that are to be addressed in the course of this Summit.

Today it is one month since the 15^th UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen came to an end.  The summit gathered leaders from around the world in substantial and difficult, but extremely important discussions. A broad agreement was reached on the Copenhagen Accord.  An Accord which provides a foundation that we can build on.

This year’s World Future Energy Summit is therefore very timely. Since its establishment in 2008 the Summit has become a valuable international platform for business-leaders, policymakers and researchers – paving the way for a future with more sustainable energy solutions.

It is essential that we continue to invest and research in the development of solutions to climate change, and this summit is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to the world that there are technological solutions already at hand and many more under development.

Up until recently, a typical bon-mot was to stay away from the alternative energy sector, unless you wanted to gamble with your money. That trend has changed during the last decade and the strong business presence at this summit confirms that green and clean technology – is not only good for the environment – it is also good for business. Cutting energy costs in production and developing better, cleaner, and more efficient solutions is set to be the industrial revolution of the 21st century. I believe green and clean technology will be as defining for the coming decade as the internet has been for the past decade.  There is significant potential for future growth, employment and wealth within the growing global market for sustainable future energy solutions.

We have proof that, today, it is possible to integrate and implement new technology in an entire community. The Masdar initiative is a visionary example of how research and development can form future solutions for a sustainable world. It is an initiative that is based on the fundamental idea that cities and their use and conservation of energy and other natural resources must be rethought in order to create substantial low carbon societies.

In Denmark we have also shown it’s possible to rethink energy consumption for a entire community, actually for the entire population of one of our islands called Samsø.

A couple of decades ago, like many other rural areas, Samsø had its share of problems. People were moving to larger cities, investments were down, and local stores were forced to close. As a result, it became increasingly difficult for Samsø to produce enough energy and maintain an infrastructure necessary to stay viable.

However, in 1997 the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy designated Samsø as a “Renewable-energy Island.” As a result, people living in Samsø gradually began to change their attitudes. To a large extent, this transformation was brought about by the formation of so-called “energy co-ops” where many locals were given the opportunity to invest in wind turbines placed on the island itself and just off its shores, thereby giving them a stake in the island’s energy production.

The effect has been quite remarkable. In the span of a few years, the island has gone from being a net importer of energy to being an energy self sufficient and an exporter of energy.

The example of Masdar and Samsø – though substantially different in shape, size and scale teaches us, if nothing else, that our commitment to rethink the world as we know it, will make a difference.

In this regard, I would also like to bring attention to the important role that Abu Dhabi plays as host to the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA. More than 135 countries have joined IRENA to work together to promote renewable energy solutions.

Extensive international collaboration as expressed through IRENA is crucial, sharing know-how, and developing mutual international goals and visions is the way ahead.

In Denmark the oil crisis of the ‘70s pushed us to search for alternative energy solutions. Over the last 30 years, we have had an economic growth of 78 %, but almost zero growth in energy consumption. And 28% of our electricity supply comes from renewable sources such as wind and biomass. It proves that economic prosperity and climate friendly solutions can co-exist.

Denmark has shown that no country is too small to become a leader within green and clean technology and providing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

While pursuing energy efficiency and developing renewable energy, Denmark has developed a number of state of the art cleantech solutions. These solutions in-turn have become an important export, with increasing contributions to Denmark’s trade balance.

Let me mention a few primary areas that have made Denmark a world leader within renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental solutions.

Firstly, wind energy has been a trademark for Denmark. In just over 20 years Danish companies have turned wind power into a global multi-billion dollar industry.  Off-shore we have the largest windmill park in the world – with a capacity to supply electricity to around 200.000 households.   (A site worth seeing, so if anyone is interested just let me know….. )

Secondly, energy efficiency, Danish companies have the knowledge through 30 years of experience in improving energy efficiency in industry as well as in households, to make a substantial cut in energy consumption.  A cut that doesn’t negatively affect competitiveness and sustains our high living standard.

Thirdly, water resource management.   Another huge challenge, where Danish engineering companies and technology suppliers are among the world’s top producers and suppliers of cost-effective solutions.

In short, we have turned a potentially serious economic down-turn into prolonged economic growth with job opportunities in a new clean tech industry.

I am pleased to note that Abu Dhabi is one of our key partners in the Gulf Region when it comes to environment and energy issues. The focus and dedication that Abu Dhabi and Masdar have placed on energy and environmental issues, is highly commendable.

Because no matter where we live, and no matter who we are, meeting the challenge of climate change is not an option, it is a responsibility. Your presence here shows that it is a responsibility you are well aware of and take seriously.  I hope this Summit will not only be a source of inspiration, but a catalyst for action to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable future for our world. 

Thank you.