Danish EPA brings the Environment into Focus

Less waste and more clean air. Less dangerous chemicals and more green companies. The range of environmental tasks is wide, but we stay focused. By: Director, Lars Hindkjær People, environment and nature are the threads in the Danish EPA’s work. We are working to protect the environment in the best way possible and make a difference to people as well as nature. For families with children to be able to buy shampoo and toys without having to fear dangerous chemistry. For companies to choose environmental technologies. And for all of us to be able to go to work or school without having air pollution spoil the trip.

The road to a healthy environment is openness and dialogue. We believe that the best decisions and environmental solutions are found if we cooperate with everyone who has shares in a good environment. Therefore, the exchange of experience with consumers as well as businesses is key to us if the green wave shall traverse the entire community.

This means that we listen to the outside world and ensure easy and quick access to updated knowledge on the environment to the public, whether this concerns chemicals, pollution or gene technology. With green tips, environmental advice and campaigns on control, we make it easier to avoid dangerous and unnecessary chemistry. We also make it possible for the individual to take responsibility and help the environment, which benefits the health of the individual as well as our common environment.

The agricultural sector and businesses also have a large responsibility
to nature and the environment since their activities play a big part in the environmental accounts. Therefore, it is our goal to have businesses see us as an attractive partner that shares its knowledge and listens to the outside world, when we work on setting up simpler and more efficient environmental rules.

Furthermore, we support green technology, e.g. in export solutions, in order for Denmark to continue to be on the forefront globally when it comes to green products – just as we form partnerships with public as well as private businesses where we cooperate on green procurement of everything from computers to pens to benefit the bottom line as well as the environment.

However, this does not mean that we have reached our goal. There are still plenty of challenges to get started on, e.g. in the area of chemicals, waste handling and air quality. The range of tasks is wide, but we stay focused.