When did we forget that climate policy is also a security policy? When did we forget that climate policy is generational policy? When did we forget that climate policy is foreign policy? When did we forget that climate policy – is simply common sense?
The government speaks passionately about defense and competitiveness, allocating billions to rearmament. But where is their focus when it comes to the greatest threat to our security: climate change?
We know that 18 percent of the EU’s gas imports still come from Russia and that Denmark has increased its own gas consumption by five percent this year. Storm surges, flooding, and cloudbursts could cost us 400 billion kroner unless we invest 130 billion in climate adaptation now. These are the harsh realities we face.
And yet, the government is forcing the City of Copenhagen and other municipalities to choose between climate initiatives and core welfare services. Starting on January 1, 2027, approximately 300 million kroner that Copenhagen spends annually on climate adaptation must now fall within the municipality’s already tight construction budget.
To put this into perspective, the children’s services sector in 2024 had a total budget of only 195 million kroner. How can a municipality like Copenhagen possibly choose between climate and culture, sustainability and kindergartens?
This is not just unreasonable – it’s grotesque.
The new rules mean that climate adaptation measures such as energy renovations, flood protection, and green initiatives will now count toward the municipalities’ construction caps. This strains municipal budgets to the breaking point, making it nearly impossible to carry out essential climate measures without cutting back on other critical areas like school construction, nursing homes, and infrastructure.
This isn’t just policy paralysis – it’s paradoxical. On one hand, the government demands that municipalities do more for the green transition. On the other hand, they punish us economically every time we step up and take responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Danish Emergency Management Agency and the Minister of Defense are urging citizens to prepare for three days without water due to the threat posed by Russia. But where is the preparedness for the climate changes we know are coming?
We can afford the green transition. We need investments of 10 billion kroner annually through 2030 – that’s half the amount we’ve just allocated to defense spending. Why don’t we prioritize our future and our security as highly as our military?
Climate policy isn’t just a technical challenge. It’s a generational challenge, a security challenge, and a challenge for our collective future. It’s about safeguarding our children, our society, and our economy.
It’s time to change course.
*Emil Moselund Østergaard is a member of the City Council of Copenhagen for the Danish Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre)
