We know the climate target - how to get there?

Hall F, Global Dilemma StageEnglish

The climate change challenge is no longer theory. It is here, it is already costly for humans as well as for our economies - and it is accelerating. Business as usual is neither responsible nor profitable. So what to do? How can the food producing sector contribute. For Connie Hedegaard, fmr. EU Commmissioner for Climate Action and Minister in Denmark innovation and behavioural change is among the answers.

Read the exciting interview with Connie Hedegaard

What is your background, and what do you work with?

I have a background as Denmark’s Minister for Environment and Climate Energy and as a EU Commissioner for Climate Action. Today I work with sustainability through a number of boards in philanthropy and business.

What is the biggest challenge in the green transition of the food industry, in your opinion? 

To change the balance between livestock production and plant-based production. Thus, it is important to incentivize innovation also in the lant-based sector and to address the demand side, that is the customers.

How does the food industry look on the planet's terms, in your opinion? 

Obviously, we need efficient food production. But in the 21st Century food must also be produced with respect for the environment, for nature and for biodiversity. The extremely intensive livestock production needs to change and innovate - also in order to stay competitive.

The new green tripartite agreement has been negotiated – could this influence the food industry in a greener direction? 

Yes, the tripartite agreement must be implemented no more hesitation, no more extended deadlines and no more voluntary agreements that are afterwards not delivered upon. It is about time that the agricultural sector delivers its fair share of the reductions and the green transition. And with the tripartite agreement’s huge economic component, there should be no more excuses for not innovating and being part of the transition.

What are you looking forward to at the Global Dilemma Conference at FoodTech, and what do you hope participants will gain from attending?

I really hope that the focus will be on the hows and not on whether and that we will see a concerted spirit of “now, let us make the transition” with mutually respect for each other, because the sector is also faced with real challenges. But those must be addressed, and solutions should take center stage.