Denmark is strengthening its efforts for coastal protection with a new fund of 150 million Danish kroner, which will be used to safeguard the most at-risk coastal areas against the effects of climate change. This decision is part of the government’s Climate Adaptation Plan 1 and is supported by the Green Fund, established in October 2023. Minister of the Environment, Magnus Heunicke (Social Democratic Party), emphasizes that the nature along the Danish coasts is under pressure, and it is essential to protect these valuable coastal areas.
“In this fund, we are particularly focusing on projects that promote coastal nature and the significant values it holds,” he stated in a press release from the Ministry of the Environment. Projects involving nature-based solutions such as artificial dune landscapes and coastal nourishment will be prioritized. These initiatives are not only effective in protecting the coastline but also contribute positively to biodiversity and the local environment.
The coastal fund, active since 2020, has previously received applications for nearly six times the amount allocated in 2022 and 2023. This highlights the high demand for funding and support for coastal protection in Denmark. The fund will open for applications before the summer of 2024, with the support directed towards the areas with the highest risk where investments can have the most impact.
This is part of a larger plan, where from 2025 to 2029, 1.095 billion kroner is also earmarked for coastal protection on Denmark’s West Coast. The parties supporting the Green Fund include the Socialist People’s Party, the Conservative People’s Party, the Red-Green Alliance, and the Radical Liberals, all of whom endorse this important effort to secure Denmark’s coasts against future climate challenges.