With the adoption of the Climate Act, Denmark must reduce its total CO2 emissions by 70% and 100% by 2030 and 2050, respectively, compared to 1990 levels. In research and innovation policy, there are two main instruments to accelerate and target the development of knowledge and technology:
- Mission-driven research and innovation.
- Investments in research infrastructure and testing facilities.
The latest report from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that time is short, and it is therefore crucial that Denmark's green resources - both financial and structural - are put to optimal use.
For DFiR, it is clear that the adoption of the Climate Act requires an increased degree of coordination and governance in parts of the Danish research and innovation funding system. At the same time, green research and innovation efforts will benefit from a more holistic approach to linking green project funding, including missions, with the establishment and availability of research infrastructure and test, demonstration and development facilities. However, the public sector must not forget to balance the green, targeted efforts with the diversity and breadth that characterises the research and innovation system today, as it is precisely this breadth that may potentially deliver the green solutions needed in the future.
DFiR's summary, conclusions and recommendations based on the work with the project in 2021 and 2022 are summarised in the report "Climate goals and means".
Background analyses
Green research and innovation funds 2020
In a questionnaire survey, DFiR has analysed a subset of the research and innovation projects that received dedicated green funding from the Danish state in 2020. The purpose of the survey was to shed light on how the research and innovation system works and is perceived by grant recipients of dedicated green funds, including how the grant recipients themselves consider their projects to contribute to the objectives of the Danish Climate Act and the green transition.
- Read the results of the survey: Green research and innovation funds 2020 (only accessible in Danish)
Lessons learnt from the Danish wind energy sector
On the request of DFiR, the The Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy at Aarhus University has studied insights from the Danish wind venture to examine whether the dynamics and systemic conditions that contributed to the development and success of wind energy can serve as inspiration for new areas within green technology.
DFiR briefs
In relation to the project, DFiR has published five briefs. They are all in Danish.
- Read DFiRbrief 27: Can the goals of the Climate Act be achieved with the help of a "green NASA"?
- Read DFiRbrief 28: Green research infrastructure
- Read DFiRbrief 29: Climate goals and means
- Read DFiRbrief 31: Research and innovation facilities create ecosystems and innovation power
- Read DFiRbrief 32: Recommendations for Denmark's continued green research and innovation efforts