By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross
Secretary Ross is leading a climate and trade delegation to Denmark and the Netherlands to focus on building partnerships for California.
As the EU moves forward on an ambitious green transition, Denmark is a leading example on how innovation, green farm technology, and data sharing is supporting agriculture’s pathway to carbon neutrality.
Denmark has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The country has one of the world’s highest percentages of cultivated land and high levels of agricultural exports – 90 percent of its pork production and 80 percent of its dairy production. The government and industry are committed to delivering on climate action, not just for Denmark but for the world as well.
Innovation is a key to moving Denmark’s carbon footprint (impact) to a handprint (mitigation), enabling sustainability to be a value proposition and market driver for consumers. Technology-driven solutions on fertilizer strategies, water management, and cropping systems have considerable mitigation potential.
Our visit to Denmark allowed us to meet with a variety of companies and organizations. Chr. Hansen and Novozymes are using natural and biological solutions to provide important tools for the agricultural sector. Agro Food Park and Bio Innovation Institute are providing platforms for launching and supporting new agricultural businesses within the green transition – Robotti, SEGES Innovation and Cordulus. We also met with farmers Holger Poulsen and Peter Melchoir, each of whom are passionate innovators in helping move their industry sector forward on local and global sustainability.
I would like to thank our colleagues at the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Danish Trade Council for an amazing visit. We look forward to strengthening our climate partnership.