In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen sits down with EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, to explore the central role he plays in shaping the European Union’s approach to reducing emissions. Transitioning from a career in the energy sector to a key climate policy leader, Hoekstra offers unique insights into the EU’s climate targets and strategies.  They discuss the EU’s own emission targets as well as its role as a global influencer in climate action. Hoekstra emphasizes the importance of a just transition that balances both environmental sustainability and economic gr ..read more

In this episode of Planet A Germany’s Special Climate Envoy, Jennifer Morgan, shares her insights from leading climate negotiations for the German Government. A key focus of the discussion is the outcomes and implications of COP28 in Dubai, but the conversation also delves into the significance of Germany’s role in international climate finance and the establishment of the loss and damage fund. Looking ahead, they discuss the road to COP29 and COP30, emphasizing the need for strategic financial planning and collaboration to achieve more ambitious national climate plans.  ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen engages in a compelling dialogue with Ralph Regenvanu who serves as the Minister responsible for climate change, energy, the environment, weather, geological hazards, and disaster management in Vanuatu.  The island state of Vanuatu is one of the most vulnerable countries facing numerous challenges due to its vulnerability to climate change. Throughout the episode, Regenvanu shares insights into how this small island nation is grappling with the severe impacts of global warming. From rising sea levels to increased frequency and intensity of natura ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen engages in a conversation with the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga. With a career spanning prestigious roles, including President and CEO of Mastercard, Ajay Banga now steers one of the leading institutions in the global fight against climate change and poverty.  The episode delves into the multifaceted role of the World Bank, revealing its structure and mechanisms for supporting global development. Ajay Banga explains the World Bank’s approach to providing financial assistance and expertise to the poorest countries for fighting bot ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen delves into the outcomes of COP28 with Alden Meyer, a seasoned expert in climate politics. With over four decades of experience with climate issues, Meyer provides a deep dive into the historic achievements of the negotiations and the challenges that lie ahead.  They reflect on COP28’s historical significance, marking the first global acknowledgment of the need to transition away from fossil fuels and the establishment of the loss and damage fund. Despite these results, Meyer emphasises that there is pressing urgency and considerable work still r ..read more

In the latest episode of "Planet A", Dan Jørgensen talks with Tomas Anker Christensen, Denmark's Climate Ambassador, amidst the high-stakes atmosphere of the UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai. As negotiations enter the eleventh hour, the mood is tense and uncertain, with crucial decisions, not least regarding the future of fossil fuels, hanging in the balance. This episode delves into the complex and often difficult process of international climate negotiations, providing listeners with an insider's view of the current state of COP28 ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Special Envoy for Environment and Climate Change to Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh and parliament member in Bangladesh, a country severely affected by global warming. Chowdhury sheds light on Bangladesh’s vulnerability, positioned between melting Himalayan glaciers and rising sea levels in the Bay of Bengal.  They discuss the stark reality that Bangladesh represents the “ground zero” of climate change. As a country already facing the impacts of global warming, Bangladesh's experience offers a glimpse in ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen is joined by Mafalda Duarte, the executive director of the world’s largest climate fund – the Green Climate Fund.  Mafalda Duarte sheds light on how the fund is at the forefront of aiding developing countries on their path to development that is both low in emissions and resilient to the climate.  She explains the fund’s projects which span billions of dollars and how to balance this with the needs of developing countries: “We have to put ourselves in the shoes of these people in developing countries.”  What concrete investments lead ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen sits down with The European "Mr. Energy", Claude Turmes, for a conversation that spans personal anecdotes, political experiences, and urgent climate challenges. Claude Turmes has served as the Minister for Energy in Luxembourg for almost five years, and has been a tireless and prominent advocate for green energy and sustainability for decades both within Luxembourg and the European Union.  He was Vice President of the parliamentary group of the Green Party in the EU and has represented the European Parliament at numerous UN Climate Change Confere ..read more

In this episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks to a true pioneer within the field of wind energy, the father of the modern Danish wind turbine and the world's first offshore wind farm, Henrik Stiesdal, former Chief Technology Officer of Siemens Wind Power.  Stiesdal shares his personal story, recounting how, as a young farmer boy during the 1973 oil crisis, he built his first wind turbine to harness affordable wind power for his family. He also tells the story of how the world's wind turbines have ended up rotating clockwise and how they built the first offshore wind farm in the world ..read more