Learn about tangible examples demonstrating the value of early action on energy efficiency.
Download the Impact paper now
Over the past 20 years, improvements in energy efficiency have kept a lid on emissions. Now we need to break the curve and drive the world towards net zero. Energy efficiency will be critical to success.
Most energy is used in our cities and buildings, in factories, and for transportation. We use much more energy than we need, putting us off track to meet our global climate goals.
If we use our energy smarter, we can break the curve on energy demand. This eases the global transition to clean and green energy sources, since each watt generated from wind and solar stretches further.
The good news is that the solutions are already there. They can be implemented right away. And most have short payback times. We can improve the fuel economy in machines and reduce the demand for diesel. We can electrify trucks and ferries. We can reuse heat from commercial processes to heat homes and industries. We can use both simple and smart technologies to create carbon-zero-ready buildings.
This is not the future. This is now. The solutions are here. They will increase the competitiveness of our industries and improve the livelihoods of citizens. And most importantly, we need them to meet our climate goals.
The Sønderborg Municipality in Denmark is a testament to that. Since 2007, energy-related carbon emissions have been reduced by more than 50%. In this booklet, you can learn about eight tangible examples that demonstrate the value of early action on energy efficiency.
By signing up for our newsletter, you will receive updates on the latest insights on competitive decarbonization.
In Denmark, Sønderborg Municipality has worked strategically in a public-private partnership called ProjectZero to find local solutions to a global problem. Since 2007, energy-related carbon emissions have been reduced by more than 50% and the municipality is on track to delivering on their 2029 vision for a carbon neutral energy system.
In supermarkets, excess heat, captured by a heat recovery unit installed on refrigeration systems, can be reused to heat up the store and produce domestic hot water or exported to neighboring homes and industries through a district energy system.
Water is key to climate action. Marselisborg is harvesting the green potential of wastewater management.
Combining electrification and energy efficiency in an excavator, just a quarter of the energy input is needed to shift the same amount of earth. Improvements in energy efficiency will pave the way for a full electrification of the construction industry.
The islands of Ærø and Als in Southern Denmark are connected by Ellen, the longest-ranging fully electric ferry in the world. This medium-sized ferry does not emit carbon and operates at a low cost.
As part of an ambitious climate strategy, Danfoss has a stated goal of making its global operations carbon neutral by 2030, which includes 42,000 employees working in 95 factories in more than 20 countries.
The Vesterled brick plant, located in Denmark, has been working strategically to improve sustainability in its entire value chain from product design to sourcing and production, and is on track to become carbon neutral in 2050.
Zero-carbon-ready buildings are highly energy efficient and supplied with energy directly from renewable sources or from energy sources with the potential to be fully decarbonized, such as district heating.
The project EnergyLab Nordhavn is a living laboratory that shows how electricity and heating, energy-efficient buildings, and electric transport can be integrated into an intelligent, flexible, and optimized energy system, supplied by a large share of renewable energy as well as reused excess energy.
Green hydrogen will play a critical role in the transition away from fossil fuels and in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, such as long-distance shipping and international aviation.
Energy efficiency, electrification, demand-side flexibility, conversion, storage, and sector integration are integral for a future energy system enabling an energy grid powered by renewables.
Our roadmap for decarbonizing cities outlines the technologies available to meet global climate goals and accelerate the green transition.