State of Green connects international partners with Danish companies, changemakers, agencies, experts and researchers to accelerate the global transition towards a sustainable, net-zero future.
As a not-for-profit, public-private partnership from Denmark, State of Green brings together the Danish government and the country’s three leading business associations (Danish Industry, Green Power Denmark, and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council).
State of Green is committed to facilitating relations with international stakeholders and leading Danish players working to drive the global transition to a sustainable, low-carbon, resource-efficient society.
By leveraging clean energy solutions, efficient resource management and public-private partnerships, Denmark aspires to accelerate just and equitable net-zero pathways.
Sharing Danish know-how via publications, digital showcases, at international conferences, by welcoming delegations and through media engagements, State of Green is playing an active role in Denmark’s green transition.
Tanya Gottlieb Jacobsen, Deputy Director of State of Green shares her insights on State of Green’s role within Denmark’s green transition with Bridges.
Bridges: State of Green is known for connecting various stakeholders with a shared vision. How do you see public-private partnerships evolving in the context of sustainability, and how do you work to ensure that these collaborations have a real, lasting impact?
Gottlieb Jacobsen: Public-private partnerships are key to accelerating the green transition. In Denmark, strong collaboration between government, industry and research has driven the development and scaling of sustainable solutions.
As a public-private, not-for-profit organisation, State of Green serves as a platform to facilitate these partnerships, ensuring that businesses, policymakers and research institutions connect and align their efforts to create real, lasting impact— leading the worldwide transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon, resource-efficient society.
As a public-private, not-for-profit organisation, State of Green serves as a platform to facilitate these partnerships, ensuring that businesses, policymakers and research institutions connect and align their efforts to create real, lasting impact— leading the worldwide transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon, resource-efficient society.
Tanya Gottlieb Jacobsen, Deputy Director of State of Green
The success of Denmark’s Climate Partnerships demonstrates the importance of private sector engagement—not just as participants, but as active drivers of change. The 14 public-private partnerships representing the different sectors in the Danish economy and formed by the Danish government, has resulted in more than 400 recommendations on how the sectors could contribute to reduce CO2e. Ensuring that all stakeholders take ownership is crucial for long-term impact.
Collaboration agreements on political, regulatory and industry levels are great examples of collaborations with real impact, as an example, State of Green is currently working to renew a memorandum of understanding with the Energy Agency FUKUSHIMA from 2021 to promote technical exchange on renewable energy and green hydrogen.
The world is facing new and growing environmental challenges. What are the emerging issues that you believe will shape global sustainability efforts in the coming years?
The geopolitical situation and the global transition away from fossil fuels present some of these emerging issues. Ensuring energy security and system resilience while accelerating the shift to renewables will be a key priority in the coming years.
A crucial solution lies in sector coupling—integrating electricity, heating, transport and industry to optimise renewable energy use. Flexible grids, energy storage and digitalisation will be essential for balancing supply and demand.
Denmark, with its high share of renewables, has long pioneered this integrated approach, demonstrating how regulatory alignment and innovative green technologies can create a secure, flexible and low-carbon energy future.
How does State of Green prioritize its initiatives, and what are some of the most exciting or innovative projects you’re currently working on?
State of Green prioritises areas with strong potential for international partnerships, where Denmark can contribute with expertise and innovative solutions.
The food sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by the need for more sustainable and resource-efficient production. A recent example is Denmark’s landmark Green Tripartite Agreement, where government, NGO’s and industry collaborated to establish the world’s first climate tax on agriculture—setting a global precedent for sustainable food and agriculture systems.
Additionally, BioSolutions are emerging as a key focus area in Denmark, with leading industry players driving innovation in food production and resource efficiency. These advancements aim to rethink how we produce and consume food while reducing pressure on scarce natural resources.
The World Expo 2025 in Osaka will focus on innovation in creating a sustainable future. What are some of the key innovations that State of Green is championing, and how do you see them contributing to the global conversation on sustainability in upcoming international events?
At State of Green, we champion innovative solutions that drive sustainability and resilience. Both BioSolutions and sector coupling represent new and innovative approaches to their respective area.
Spearheading new ways of thinking and integrating energy, resources and industries to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
BioSolutions offer groundbreaking approaches to sustainable food production, waste management, and industrial processes by leveraging nature-based technologies.
Meanwhile, sector coupling—not being a specific innovation, it is a new approach—ensures greater flexibility in energy systems by linking electricity, heating, transport and industry—optimising renewable energy use and minimising resource and energy waste.
These innovations are key to accelerating the green transition. Denmark looks forward to contributing to the global conversation at World Expo 2025 in Osaka by showcasing how integrated and cross-sectoral solutions can shape a more sustainable future.
