Diplomacy in Action for the SDGs: A Conversation with Consul General of Denmark in New York, Ambassador Berit Basse
Ambassador Basse shares Denmark in New York’s leading role in driving action towards 2030 and what she hopes to see during the final stretch
In late September 2023, as global leaders descended on New York City for the UN SDG Summit at United Nations Headquarters, a similar gathering of policymakers, organizations, and the private sector met for a three-day event replete with talks and debates, networking, and receptions all focused on the green transition towards the 2030 Agenda.
The Sustainability Summit NYC, held at the Consulate General of Denmark in New York and just two streets away from the UN itself, offered a unique opportunity to bring stakeholders from across sectors under one roof for in-depth conversations on the status of the SDGs at their mid-point and how governments, civil society, and private sector entities could accelerate on the Goals themselves.
“The event highlighted how private companies play a crucial role in the green transition in sectors ranging from shipping to healthcare,” Consul General of Denmark in New York, Ambassador Berit Basse explained in a recent interview with the UN SDG Action Campaign. “The aim of the Summit was to identify actionable solutions based on public-private partnerships.”
The Summit also hosted, in partnership with the UN SDG Action Campaign, the 2023 UNITE TO ACT Digital Art Exhibition — a unique creative experience that celebrated the mid-point of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the role of art and creativity in bringing people together to achieve change.
“Bringing people together to discuss solutions and learn from each other can contribute to putting us back on the right path,” added Ambassador Basse.
With an extensive career across all aspects of Danish foreign policy and international cooperation, Consul General, Ambassador Berit Basse is leading the Consulate General of Denmark in New York in its prioritization of sustainability initiatives throughout the New York tri-state area and across the Atlantic corridor of the United States. The Sustainability Summit NYC, with its role as global convener on the margins of the UN SDG Summit, was a shining example of the Consulate’s growing call for unity in action towards a sustainable future for all and underscores Denmark’s commitment to the SDGs.
As part of our UNITE TO ACT Blog Series, we spoke to Ambassador Basse to hear about Denmark in New York’s leading role in driving action towards 2030 and what she hopes to see as we reach the final stretch.
UN SDG Action Campaign: Thank you, Ambassador, for taking the time to speak with us. Building a sustainable future for all means taking action today and flipping the current global narrative on everything from climate change and gender inequality to food insecurity. Zooming in on one priority, what challenge speaks to you the most and how are you and your organization uniting to act for the SDGs?
Ambassador Berit Basse: I am concerned with all aspects of the green transition. But, in particular, I want to highlight SDG 2 on achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture through sustainable consumption and production methods.
The world’s total food production creates 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Half of all habitable areas are covered by agriculture and 94% of all non-human biomass today consists of livestock.
Denmark has high ambitions when it comes to ensuring sustainability in global food supply chains. In Denmark, we have seen a 43% surge in production since 2000 while simultaneously lowering energy consumption by 25% due to advanced manure handling, precision farming technologies, and climate-resilient seed varieties. However, we need to do more, faster, and in different ways both in Denmark and globally.
I am continuously inspired by the potential of fermentation. It can create a wide range of innovative biosolutions where living microorganisms like bacteria, enzymes, and fungi are utilized in development of healthy and sustainable products. In my own organization, the Food & Agriculture Team works to facilitate commercial opportunities and exchange of solutions between Danish companies and their American counterparts. I hope to see more initiatives like these in our work to achieve a sustainable transition for the people and planet.
This year marks the half-way point to Agenda 2030 and yet indicators show that progress on the SDGs is lagging. Only about 12% of the Goals are currently on track while close to 50% are moderately or severely off track. What do you want to see happen right now in your sector that can contribute to inverting this negative trend and putting us back on the right path?
I would like to see a greater acknowledgement of the derived effects of our food production on the climate and how unevenly these effects are distributed, including hunger and environmental crises in some parts of the world.
Furthermore, collaboration is crucial if we are to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Constructive collaboration is a two-way street, where we foster dialogue and acknowledge the different challenges that communities face at global and local levels. Based on a mutual understanding and respect, we must establish and strengthen equal partnerships between the Global North and South, East and West.
Finally, we need collaboration not only across countries but also across industries and between the public and private sectors to accelerate global decarbonisation. Private companies’ engagement and motivation is key to developing new innovative solutions. Only when companies, civil society, and governments unite, can we push forward the green transition.
Let me give an example of how Denmark in New York is working to speed up the green transition: Last month we hosted a three-day event Sustainability Summit NYC as a side event to the United Nations General Assembly. The event highlighted how private companies play a crucial role in the green transition in sectors ranging from shipping to healthcare. The aim was to identify actionable solutions based on public-private partnerships. Bringing people together to discuss solutions and learn from each other can contribute to put us back on the right path.
Despite some discouraging news on SDG progress, we are nonetheless hopeful that, when united for action, we can affect positive change. And we know this just by looking at the thousands of application submissions we receive each year for our UN SDG Action Awards, which celebrate mobilizers, inspirers, and changemakers. Which individual or initiative inspires you to take action and continue to work towards a better future for all?
I want to highlight zero carbon shipping as one initiative that inspires me. Shipping is a vital part of the global economy, but it is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative aims to realize sustainable decarbonization of the maritime industry by 2050.
It also underlines how large corporations can play an active part in the transition, if they are not afraid to be first movers. One of the world-leading shipping and logistics companies, Denmark’s A.P. Moller Maersk, is a big part of decarbonizing the maritime industries. They have set the course toward net zero by 2040, and they just introduced the world’s first container vessel fueled by green methanol.
I’m inspired by the international collaboration in this field. To give an example, the Namibian administration is collaborating with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. They connect Namibia’s production of green hydrogen with the shipping industry to enable export of energy as well as decarbonization of shipping.
Innovation is key to ensuring that our sustainable future is also inclusive. What are the novel trends and opportunities that you think will be game-changing for SDG action?
It is on top of my agenda to ensure strong partnerships with the Global South. It is home to many of the world’s fastest growing economies and populations as well as some of the best ideas for how we can push the green transition forward.
The first decade of my career, I worked with development aid for the United Nations in New York and Senegal and, afterwards, for Danida as a development attaché in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. It is clear to me that countries in these regions need to be not just involved but guiding in shaping sustainable policies and practices to prevent resource depletion, environmental degradation, and a world with growing inequality.
For many, the quest for an equitable and sustainable future starts from within. What has been a key turning point in your life? What have you learned from this that gives you hope for the current turning point we find ourselves in?
As is the case for so many people, becoming a mother was one of the biggest turning points in my life. Seeing my two children grow up and experiencing the world through their eyes continues to add new perspectives and a better understanding of the change that needs to happen. They also inspire me as to the behaviors and culture we need to change. The younger generation did not grow up under the same growth paradigm as I did. They are becoming powerful advocates for sustainable development and action. Their activism and innovative solutions can drive awareness, mobilize resources, and bring fresh ideas to the global sustainability agenda. I have great faith in the younger generation but we can not leave it to them to fix the problems created on our watch. We need to act together.
Follow Ambassador Basse on LinkedIn.
Follow Denmark in New York on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.
