The Government of Denmark and the Novo Nordisk Foundation have entered into an agreement in principle that will contribute significantly to implementing the visions in the Green Tripartite agreement. Over the next 10 years, the Foundation will allocate DKK 10 billion for converting land in Denmark to enable space for more nature and biodiversity and for agricultural production based on modern technologies.

The Green Tripartite agreement between the Government of Denmark and leading agricultural, industrial and environmental organisations will pave the way for an historic new approach to how land is used in Denmark. As a result, the Government of Denmark and the Novo Nordisk Foundation agree that the Foundation can play a decisive role in implementing this vision.

The collaboration with the Novo Nordisk Foundation will support specific projects and initiatives that can especially contribute to land conversion that supports nature and biodiversity to benefit people throughout Denmark. Based on the agreement, the Foundation will allocate DKK 10 billion over the next 10 years to carry out this significant task.

Stephanie Lose, Denmark’s Minister for Economic Affairs, says:
“I am incredibly pleased about the collaboration with the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which will contribute significantly to realising the vision of the Green Tripartite agreement. We must accelerate the development of new technology and modern agricultural production, and there must be more space for nature and biodiversity in Denmark. This will require major investment. It is really positive that we in Denmark can collaborate with companies, foundations and others that can contribute to creating development and growth and solve some specific challenges for our country.”

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, says:
“Today we are writing a new chapter in the history of agriculture in Denmark. We are creating much more nature, viable agriculture, a cleaner aquatic environment and more forests and woodland. I am extremely pleased that we have teamed up with the Novo Nordisk Foundation to carry out this task. This shows how great the results can be when we collaborate broadly with public and private actors.”

Magnus Heunicke, Denmark’s Minister for the Environment, says:
The Green Tripartite agreement is the start of a massive restructuring of how land is used in Denmark in which we focus on nature and the aquatic environment. Nature in Denmark is under pressure: many of our animal and plant species need more space, and many species are threatened with extinction. The collaboration with the Novo Nordisk Foundation will help to deliver the necessary innovation for how land is used in Denmark and will provide valuable signature projects with large coherent natural areas that can create better habitats for our wild and native species.”

Among other things, the collaboration will aim towards major signature projects that create new, larger and coherent natural areas with high quality or targeted improvements in the quality of existing natural areas and natural and commercial woodlands. The collaboration can also focus on developing knowledge and accelerating technological development in relation to modern agricultural operations and on insight into conditions and the effects on nature.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, says:
“This is a truly ambitious nature restoration project that will make Denmark greener and will be important for the Danes, for biodiversity and for the marine environment. I am very pleased that we can make this important contribution to the green transition.”

The Green Tripartite agreement will help to make Denmark a leading country in sustainable land management that protects nature and drinking-water resources and develops them to benefit future generations. This must be carried out in a way that supports increasingly sustainable, high-technology and land-efficient agricultural production so that Denmark also has a strong food industry in the future with attractive business potential and good jobs throughout the country.

In autumn 2024, the Government of Denmark and the Novo Nordisk Foundation will further decide on the framework for implementing the Foundation’s funding over the 10-year period, including organisation and governance. The Foundation will be involved in executing relevant parts of the agreement and thus be included in organising the specific initiatives to which the Foundation contributes financially.

Read the Agreement in Principle between the Government of Denmark and the Novo Nordisk Foundation on nature restoration in Denmark.