[Danish Foreign Policy yearbook 2010] The Runaway Summit

Abstract

"When the doors to the giant Bella Center in Copenhagen opened for the socalled COP15 on the morning of 7 December 2009, it was the culmination of more than three years of intense preparations by the Danish government. In an unprecedented political and diplomatic effort since 2006, Denmark had launched an international campaign that was expected not only to deliver a new global treaty on climate change, but also to position Denmark at the centre of international politics as a shining example of how a small nation can a make big difference through outstanding diplomacy. And the cause had not been chosen at random: For decades environmental protection has been a hallmark of Denmark, one of the few countries in the world that has, in practical terms, proved that wealth and welfare can be created without at the same time increasing pressure on ecosystems, as demonstrated through ‘The Danish example’ 2, a set of data showing how Denmark has seen 78 per cent economic growth since 1980, but no increase in energy consumption." (p. 113)