NYSERDA and the Confederation of Danish Industry Announce Agreement to Enhance Collaboration on Decarbonizing High-Rise Buildings in New York State

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to enhance collaboration on decarbonizing high-rise buildings in New York State. Focusing primarily on NYSERDA’s $50 million Empire Building Challenge, which is expected to leverage over $250 million in private investment in building upgrades, testing, and technology, this agreement recognizes a shared commitment to carbon-neutral buildings and will accelerate New York’s progress toward Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Lars Sandahl Sørensen, CEO, the Confederation of Danish Industry, said,

“NYSERDA, the Confederation of Danish Industry and Danish Cleantech Hub in New York have enjoyed a long standing collaboration and we are very excited to venture on a new large scale project that will transform New York into a more sustainable city. For decades, Danish companies have developed energy efficiency in buildings and we know, that with today’s technologies, it is possible to reduce energy consumption by at least 50 percent. The new agreement commits us to work together more closely towards a common goal of accelerating the green transition and I am confident that through our joint efforts we will be able to achieve more and continue to develop even stronger relationships between New York and Denmark.”

Buildings are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, and integrating energy efficiency and electrification measures on existing buildings will reduce carbon pollution and help achieve more sustainable, healthy, and comfortable buildings.

The signing of the MOU represents a long-standing and productive relationship between New York and Denmark in the advancement of clean energy as an economic driver and critical solution in the global fight against climate change.