Brazil Invites Denmark to Closer Collaboration on Climate

On behalf of the Government, the Danish Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Helge Sander, accepted a direct invitation from Sergio Rezende, Brazil's Minister of Science and Technology, to closer collaboration on research and new technology in the climate area.

This happened at a meeting in the Brazilian city São Paulo in connection with an international climate conference focusing on environmentally friendly biofuels. Although the Brazilian minister was chairing the conference, he gave priority to a meeting with his Danish colleague.

Brazil's Minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Rezende, and Denmark's Science Minister, Helge Sander, discussed a closer collaboration on research and new technologies, including the climate area. This took place in connection with the International Conference on Biofuels in São Paulo which ended on Friday 21 November 2008.
Brazil is a key country prior to the UN Climate Summit next year in Copenhagen. Partly by virtue of its own capacity and partly as a leading member of the Group of 77 developing countries within the UN.

– Clearly it is in Denmark's interest to strengthen our collaboration with Brazil – not least in terms of new knowledge and new technologies that may combat climate changes. So this invitation must not end in broad declarations of intent. On the contrary, it must be turned into concrete initiatives in our work to convert Denmark into a green growth society, says Science Minister Helge Sander.

Immediately after his return from Brazil, Mr. Sander will convey this wish to Danish universities and knowledge environments to find areas within energy and climate research that could benefit in particular from closer collaboration with Brazil. Also in areas such as IT, telecommunications and food, Denmark and Brazil will be able to gain concrete benefits from research partnerships.

Next week arrangements have already been made for the Brazilian ambassador in Denmark to visit the Science Ministry, where the matter will be discussed.

– There is ample inspiration to be found in Brazil when it comes to Denmark's conversion to green economy. In Brazil, R&D investments have been secured already a long time ago, and this is now coming to fruition: Five years ago, less than five per cent of all new cars were able to run on ethanol – today this is more than 90 per cent, says Helge Sander.

He also points out that Denmark is in a favourable position to increase its knowledge export to Brazil in terms of more sustainable biofuels, also known as second generation technologies. In this case waste – and not foodstuffs such as sugar – is being converted into energy.

Science Minister Helge Sander can be contacted via Communications Manager Niels Hovmand on mobile +45 40 82 89 58.