Monday Morning News & Notes
EU lifeline to wind energy. RS virus wave builds in Europe.
🇩🇰 ❄️
Here comes the snow. It will be cold in Denmark this week with temperatures falling below zero in many parts of the country. The Danish Meteorological Institute is warning of morning frost and even some snow to come this week. In particular, it is warning of the possibility of snowfall overnight on Monday with the potential for a slippery Tuesday morning. DMI says if you don’t have winter tires on your vehicle then you better get on it quick.
🇪🇺🎄 ❄️
It is a little on the early side but Europe’s Climate Change Service Copernicus has tabled some weather models to assess the chances of a white Christmas across Europe. Take a gander.
🇳🇴 🇬🇧 🎄
A 19-meter-high red spruce has been cut down in a forest near Oslo and is on its way to London, England. The special Christmas tree will stand in Trafalgar Square in London spreading holiday cheer. Norway has been sending a Christmas tree to London every year since World War II ended as an expression of gratitude. During Nazi occupation, Norway’s king and the entire government fled to England where they worked in exile in London until their homeland was liberated.
🍃Environment & Energy⚡️
🌎 🍃 ✈️
A new global agreement has been reached to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by airline traffic. Over 100 countries have signed the agreement. Talks were led by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Dubai. The agreement will see CO2 emissions from airliners reduced by 5% by switching to more sustainable fuels or other clean energy sources. The United States applauded the deal saying it sends a “clear and positive” signal to other countries around the world that investments must be made into clean green energy solutions.
Other countries like China and Russia opposed the agreement citing concerns about the economic costs.
🇪🇺🇩🇰
With the European wind energy sector facing some daunting challenges the European Parliament has voted in favour of the Net Zero Industry Act. The legislation aims to see that the green energy sector is ‘Made in Europe’ while being able to compete with China and the United States, which are putting the squeeze on European wind energy companies. The plan must now be negotiated with the Council of Europe.
Danish Member of the European Parliament Niels Fuglsang:
“We must not risk losing our wind production to China in the same way that we have lost large parts of the solar industry. That's why we need to pick up speed along the entire value chain. Both when it comes to approvals from the extraction of raw materials and to get renewable energy projects built. At the same time, we must set tender criteria that protect sustainability and biodiversity. Because this is where our industry is strongest and this is exactly the kind of green transition.”
Green Power Denmark Head of European Affairs Ole Rydahl Svensson says that Europe’s wind energy sector risks being undermined by “state-supported competitors.” He says the sector needs easier access to investments and an increase in production capacity.
“There is a need for an ambitious industrial policy in the EU that ensures better conditions for the production of energy technology in Europe. It's about energy security, jobs, and autonomy in the energy sector. NZIA is a step in the right direction. But we also have to recognize that there is a need for much more comprehensive initiatives from the EU if European companies are to be able to deliver and compete on an equal footing with the USA and China, which are currently pushing massively on the green agenda.”
The Act seeks to eliminate red tape for a more simplified permitting process for green energy projects. It sets a permitting timeframe of 9-12 months for ordinary projects and an expedited 6-9 months for green energy projects deemed strategically important.
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The European Union is working to ensure the security of supply for critical raw materials used in the production of things like wind turbines and batteries. The EU has designated 34 raw minerals and materials as critical and 17 others as strategic. Late last week it added aluminum to that list while also seeking to increase the extraction of critical minerals. It is also working to increase recycling to maximize the sourcing of these critical materials.
The moves are being made to try and ensure that the EU is not overly dependent on exports of these critical materials from countries outside the European Union.
🇳🇴
While the United Nations calls for an end to the extraction of coal, gas, and oil as part of an effort to fight climate change and bring down CO2 emissions, Norway is doing the exact opposite. This year alone, Norway has given the green light for 19 new oil and gas projects. it has not gone unnoticed as two organizations, Greenpeace and Nature & Youth, have sued the Norwegian government accusing it of not following the law in approving new oil and gas fields. The two sides will make their case on Tuesday in a courtroom in Oslo.
Norway has become Europe’s biggest oil and gas supplier after Russia tried to weaponize its energy exports to Europe to try and bring the EU to its knees over its support for Ukraine.
Norway’s vast oil and gas resources have helped the country drive its sovereign wealth fund to a value of $1.4 trillion USD.
🇩🇰
Denmark broke another green energy record last week. A total of 145,470 megawatt hours of electricity was churned out by the country’s wind turbines and solar cell farms last Thursday, a new single-day energy production record. According to Green Power Denmark that is equal to about 120% of the total single-day energy consumption across the entire country.
The excess power not used by Danish consumers was sent to electricity grids in neighbouring Germany and Norway.
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One of the challenges of the green transition is getting smaller communities around the Nordics to transition away from gas and oil boilers over to heat pumps. One such rural area in Denmark is the island of Tåsinge, which is connected to Fyn by a bridge.
Energy company Flow Elnet is working to install a new bigger underwater power cable between Svendborg on Fyn and Tåsinge. With about 6,000 inhabitants the island is a microcosm for work going on across Scandinavia to transition even the smallest towns away from fossil fuels.
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As Denmark takes the American Black Friday event to new and ridiculous lengths, people are being urged to think about packaging when they are snapping up their bargains. Waste stations around the country are noticing a big uptick in cardboard, plastic, and paper waste during Black Friday.
Odense Waste Management Communications Officer Morten Glasius spoke to DR:
“We are seeing a lot of cardboard and paper waste right now. Every time we consume and buy things, we also have waste. So you have to think about whether the things you buy are really something you need.”
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Invasive species are a serious threat to biodiversity. Would you like to help? Do you live in Denmark? And do you like eating things like pacific oysters, crayfish, or (brace yourselves Canadians) Canadian Geese? For example, the invasive signal crayfish poses a significant threat to local Danish crayfish species. People are being encouraged to catch and eat as many of them as they can.
To help the Danish Ministry of Environment has published a free cookbook focused on delicious recipes for a number of invasive species. You can find the cookbook called ‘If You Can’t Beat Them, Eat Them’ HERE.
The rules for catching signal crayfish are constantly changing, and you can read what permits are required on the Ministry of the Environment's website.
🇫🇮
Ooops. A trading error saw electricity prices tumble to record lows last Friday. Finnish national power grid operator Fingrid said the trading error drove electricity prices down to -50 cents per kilowatt hour for about nine hours on Friday. Fingrid says the prices will stand and some homeowners could benefit depending on the policy of their power company.
🇪🇬🇪🇺
Gas giant Shell has announced that it has discovered a new natural gas reservoir off the Egyptian coast. This could be good financial news for Egypt, which has been grappling with a relentless energy crisis but also for the European Union, which is seeing its shares of LNG shipments from Egypt drop.
Shell is now doing further analysis to determine the reservoir’s size and the recovery potential for the gas.
🦠COVID🦠
🇪🇺
Respiratory infection numbers are increasing across many countries in the European Union and greater European Economic Area according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The agency says COVID remains the biggest driver of the infection wave but it adds RS virus numbers are rising and there are some signs of the start of the influenza season.
The ECDC says coronavirus infections seem to be easing in Southern Europe but conversely gaining steam in Northern EU/EEA countries. As is the case elsewhere, it is seniors over 65 who are in harm’s way and elderly people are making up the bulk of hospital and intensive care admissions as well as COVID fatalities.
The median positivity percentage across Europe is 21%.
Based on a severely limited number of sequenced positive test results the XBB.1.5 strain and its sub-variants remain dominant in Europe. But the ECDC notes that BA.2.86 cases are increasing and now makeup 9.6% of sequenced test results. The agency has joined the World Health Organization in elevating the BA.2.86 strain to its most serious ‘variants of interest’ designation.
“The reasons for this classification are its large number of genetic changes relative to its ancestral BA.2 and currently circulating XBB-derived variants and an increasing trend in the proportion of this variant detected in several EU/EEA countries. BA.2.86 has so far not been associated with any concerning properties in terms of transmissibility, immune escape or infection severity, when compared to currently circulating XBB-derived variants. While there is no evidence of BA.2.86 currently impacting epidemiological indicators, this may change in the coming weeks if variant detections continue to increase at the current pace.”
Sentinel surveillance, the monitoring of cases reporting to family doctors, coming from 23 countries showed an increase in respiratory infections across multiple countries but were within levels seen at this point last year.
RS virus activity has been increasing across Europe for the last 11 weeks resulting in increasing numbers of young children under the age of 4 having to be hospitalized. The ECDC says the RS virus wave appears to be arriving about four weeks later than it did last year.
Influenza activity remained low but has been increasing recently.
🇸🇪
Finland isn’t the only Nordic nation that is on the hot seat for a late start to the fall and winter vaccination campaign. Sweden has seen coronavirus indicators climb including the number of COVID hospitalizations reaching heights not seen since last winter. The Swedish Public Health Agency is facing accusations that is misjudged the timing of its vaccination effort.
State Epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén wouldn’t say it his agency dropped the ball by simply telling Radio Sweden that time will tell.
“We will see in the end, it is very difficult to judge. Whether it was too late and we should have started a little earlier, or whether it was perfect.”
Sweden’s campaign to administer COVID booster doses alongside influenza vaccinations began on November 7. Three weeks in and less than half of the vulnerable seniors over 80 have had a COVID booster while numbers drop to less than a third of those 65 to 79 years old.
🇺🇦/ 🇷🇺 War
🇫🇮/ 🇷🇺
With nothing but its northernmost border crossings left open, about 58 illegal immigrants arrived from Russia at Finland’s Raja-Joosepi border crossing in Lapland over the weekend. The area is freezing cold as a matter of fact as you read this the forecasted high today is -17 degrees.
The Finnish Border Guard says the immigrants showing up in Finland’s far north are from places like Yemen, Morocco, and Syria. So far in November, more than 700 illegal immigrants have arrived at the Finnish border from Russia.
In the last week or so Finland has closed almost every border crossing it has along the Russian border in an attempt to stop the flow of illegal immigrants being pushed toward the border by Russian authorities. If it doesn’t stop most people in Finland would support sealing off Finland’s entire eastern border with Russia according to a survey conducted by Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. 75% of respondents said they would support a full closure of the border.
The Finnish government has announced that it is setting up registration senders to process the arriving immigrants
Per Finland’s Ministry of the Interior:
"The decision will ensure that people who do not meet the conditions for entry and who have not yet been identified and registered by the authorities will not be able to reside freely in Finland.”
Asylum seekers arriving at Finnish border crossings will have to stay in these registration centers during their application process.
The order to close the seven of the eight border crossings along Finland’s Eastern border with Russia is due to expire on December 23, unless it is extended.
🇩🇰 🇺🇦
Denmark is planning on spending billions more kroner over the next few years on continued military support for Ukraine and bolstering its own defenses. Denmark has earmarked another 25.8 billion Danish kroner (about $5.1 billion Cdn) through 2027 paid out in varying amounts annually beginning with 2.3 billion kroner this year and then another 10.5 billion next year. That pushes the total in the Ukraine fund to 60.4 billion Danish kroner (about $12 billion Cdn).
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen:
“We do not know how long the war in Ukraine will continue, but we know that donations are essential for Ukraine to continue the fight against Russia. Throughout the war, Denmark has been a faithful supporter of Ukraine, and we are now strengthening our support, both this year and especially by also allocating significant funds in 2025-2027, we are sending a clear signal that the Ukrainians in the long term can count on Danish support.”
The Danish government is boosting its own defense budget by 4.9 billion Danish kroner (about $981 million Cdn) through 2033. The Danish Ministry of Defense says this means Denmark will reach the NATO benchmark of spending 2% of its GDP on defense by 2025.
Denmark has taken some flack from its European neighbours over some creative accounting by including military donations to Ukraine in claiming it has already reached the 2% of GDP defense spending target.
🇩🇰/ 🇷🇺
The personal information of tens of thousands of people in Denmark who have been involved in a house sale is now freely available on the dark web. Russian hackers hit real estate chain EDC earlier this month. They demanded EDC cough up a hefty ransom or else. The real estate chain chose not to pay and now people’s passports, driver’s licenses, addresses, email accounts, telephone numbers, and even social security numbers were all posted to the web.
EDC told the Danish national broadcaster DR that it has been working to contact everyone whose information has been compromised. It has also strengthened its own cyber security to try and prevent any more cyberattacks.
Denmark’s Ministry of Defense is also getting involved.
🇩🇰The Week Ahead Round Up🇩🇰
Monday, November 27:
The old Carlsberg Brewery in Copenhagen will reopen for the first time since 2018. The old ‘Visit Carlsberg’ experience will reopen as ‘Home of Carlsberg’ with new and larger exhibitions. If you want to hear and taste the history of this storied Danish beer giant or just enjoy a cold beer brewed on site then this is the stop for you.
The official opening takes place around 11 a.m. with lots of press, politicians, and notables from the beer world in attendance.
You can find it at Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11, Copenhagen.
Wednesday, November 29:
Handball fans this one is for you. The 26th IIHF Women)s World Championship begins on Wednesday. Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are jointly hosting the games, which will go on until December 17. Matches in Denmark will be played at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning and in Arena Nord in Frederikshavn.
The tournament will begin with reigning champion Norway taking on Greenland who has qualified for the World Handball Championships for the 2nd time ever.
You can find all the information you need and buy tickets HERE.
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In football, København FC is taking on Germany’s Bayern Munich in Champions League action. It is the 5th game of the group stage.
It takes place at Munich Football Arena and the game is sold out.
More information HERE.
Thursday, November 30:
The ballet ‘The Snow Queen’ premiers in Tivoli in Copenhagen. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has led the creative process behind the performance’s costumes and decorations. The Queen will be attending the premiere.
The ballet will be performed at the Tivoli Concert Hall from today until December 23rd.
You can buy tickets HERE.
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The largest adventure film festival in the Nordics begins today. The Nordic Adventure Film Festival encourages local filmmakers to submit their films focusing on hiking, biking, caving, rock climbing, and any outdoor adventure you can think of.
The film festival takes in Copenhagen.
You can see the full film schedule HERE.
Friday, December 1:
The Christmas market at Museum Jorn opens in Silkeborg.
It will be open all weekend.
It is located at Gudenåvej 7-9, Silkeborg
More details HERE.
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Come and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way at Den Fynske Landsby in Odense where you will discover the traditions that pre-date Christmas as we know it.
You can find this lovely outdoor museum at Sejerskovvej 20, Odense S
More information HERE.
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Skovgaard Museet in Viborg opens its beautiful ‘Angel Garden.’ The museum adorns the garden with sparkling lights, Christmas trees, and the familiar angels reminding us of those we love who are longer with us.
It is located at Domkirkestræde 2-4, Viborg
More information HERE.
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Also in Viborg, Sct Mathias Square transforms into what it bills as “the coziest Christmas market ever’ with its Christmas cabin town or Julehytteby.
You can find it Sct Mathias Centret along Viborg’s gågade.
There will also be unique Christmas music experiences beginning today around Viborg but primarily in Nytorv, also on the gågade.
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The outdoor skating rinks in Viborg and Randers open today. Both will stay open until the end of the month.
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The Danish national women’s football team will face Germany in UEFA Nations League action.
The match will take place in Rostock, Germany and it is an 8:30 p.m. start.
You can find out more HERE.
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On the men’s side, the UEFA will draw lots for the groups that will compete in the 2024 EURO cup. It will be hosted by Germany next year beginning on June 14. Denmark has qualified.
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The Danish national women’s handball team will play their first game in the IIHF World Cup. They will face Serbia.
The game takes place at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning at 8:30 p.m.
See the link above for tickets,
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The ‘Lighthouse’ the tallest building in Aarhus opens to the public today. It features a viewing platform and a restaurant on its top (44th) floor, which features a stunning view of the city.
More information HERE (in Danish)
Saturday, December 2:
The annual Christmas tree procession from Nyhavn to Rådhuspladsen (Copenhagen City Hall) takes place today. Traditionally, the city’s Christmas tree is officially lit on the first Sunday of Advent.
The procession will arrive at city hall at 4:00 p.m.
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The fun Odense Christmas Market opens for business in the city’s old town, the former stomping grounds of one H.C. Andersen.
You can find the market at Sortebrødre Torv 1,n Odense C
It will be open for the first three weekends of December.
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During the first two weekends of December, the Scandinavian Wildlife Park opens for Christmas with special polar bear feedings, you can meet the reindeer, write letters to Santa, and get a warm cup of glögg around a bonfire.
The park is located at Nødagervej 67B, Kolind
Find out more HERE.
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Experience magiske Jul at Møntergården in Odense. Explore the museum’s historic courtyards, where past Julekalendar have been filmed, peruse the booths, and enjoy some holiday goodies.
You can find it at Møntestræde 1, Odense C
Learn more HERE.
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Want to experience a ‘dark’ Christmas? Then head to Moesgaard Museum today and meet fantastical creatures from myths and old tales like Father Winter, the Yule Cat, Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht, and the Finnish Joulupukki.
Julevæsner på Moesgaard will be open December 2, 9, and 16.
The fantastic Moesgaard Museum is located just outside Aarhus at Moesgaard Allé 15, Højbjerg
More information HERE.
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Billed as the ‘Quirky Christmas market’ if you want some unique gifts then head to Godsbanen in Aarhus. The market will be open all weekend long.
It is located at Skovgaardsgade 3, Aarhus C
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In Ebeltoft Havn the frigate Jylland welcomes people onboard for its Christmas season.
More information HERE.
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In Rønde a special Christmas concert will be held at Møllerup Gods. The concert will be held at 11:00 a.m. and then again at 9:00 p.m.
More information HERE.
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The Danish women’s national handball team plays their second game of the IIHF World Cup against Chile.
The game will be at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 3:
In Aarhus, the “Mega Bargain’ 2nd hand indoor market will be held. This one features 2nd hand clothing for women of all ages.
It costs 40 dkk to enter.
It is located at Turbinehallen, Kalkværksvej 12, Aarhus