{{Short description|Danish politician (born 1960)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Connie Hedegaard | image = Connie Hedegaard by Christian Ursilva.jpg | office = [[European Commissioner for Climate Action]] | president = [[José Manuel Barroso]] | term_start = 9 February 2010 | term_end = 31 October 2014 | predecessor = Position established | successor = [[Miguel Arias Cañete]] {{small|(Climate Action and [[European Commissioner for Energy|Energy]])}} | office1 = [[Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy|Minister for Climate and Energy]] | prime_minister1 = [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]]<br>[[Lars Løkke Rasmussen]] | term_start1 = 23 November 2007 | term_end1 = 24 November 2009 | predecessor1 = Position established | successor1 = [[Lykke Friis]] | office2 = Minister for Nordic Cooperation | prime_minister2 = [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] | term_start2 = 18 February 2005 | term_end2 = 23 November 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Flemming Hansen (politician)|Flemming Hansen]] | successor2 = [[Bertel Haarder]] | office3 = [[Minister for the Environment (Denmark)|Minister for the Environment]] | prime_minister3 = [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] | term_start3 = 2 August 2004 | term_end3 = 23 November 2007 | predecessor3 = [[Hans Christian Schmidt]] | successor3 = [[Troels Lund Poulsen]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|10|15|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Holbæk]], Denmark | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Conservative People's Party (Denmark)|Conservative People's Party]] | alma_mater = [[University of Copenhagen]] | caption = Hedegaard in 2025 }}
[[File:Connie Hedegaard 2012.JPG|thumb|Connie Hedegaard 2012]]
'''Connie Hedegaard Koksbang''' (born 15 September 1960) is a Danish politician and public intellectual. She was European Commissioner for [[European Climate Change Programme|Climate Action]] in the ([[Barroso Commission#Second college|second Barroso]]) [[European Commission]] from 10 February 2010 through 31 October 2014.<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/index_en.htm The members of the Barroso Commission designate (2009–2014). European Commission.] Retrieved 24 January 2010.</ref><ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8505579.stm Euro MPs back new European Commission. From BBC News]. Retrieved 10 February 2010.</ref><ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/archives/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/headlines/news/2014-11-03_01_en.htm Connie Hedegaard - Member of the European Commission]. Retrieved 19 January 2015</ref>
On behalf of Denmark, Hedegaard hosted [[United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009|the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.berlingske.dk/klima/connie-h.-ny-eu-kommissaer|title=Connie H. Ny EU-kommissær|date=24 November 2009}}</ref> She was Danish Minister for [[Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy|Climate and Energy]] from 23 November 2007 as a member of the [[Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen III]] and that of [[Lars Løkke Rasmussen I Cabinet|Lars Løkke Rasmussen]] and had been the [[Denmark|Danish]] [[Minister for the Environment (Denmark)|Minister for the Environment]] from 2 August 2004 to 23 November 2007, as a member of the [[Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen I]] and [[Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen II|II]].
In Denmark, Hedegaard is a member of the [[Conservative People's Party (Denmark)|Conservative People's Party]] (DKF), and elected member of parliament ([[Folketing]]) from 10 January 1984 to 3 October 1990 and again in the [[2005 Danish parliamentary election]]. Prior to becoming a minister, she worked as a journalist at [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]], the Danish national broadcaster.
==Education and early career== Connie Hedegaard holds an MA in Literature and History. She has been a member of the [[Konservative Folkeparti|Conservative Party]] and active in government on and off since 1984, when she was elected as the hitherto youngest member of the [[Folketinget|Folketing]], the Danish national parliament, where she sat for six years.<ref>[http://kemin.dk/en-US/theminister/curriculum/Sider/Forside.aspx CV from Ministry of Climate and Energy.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327074504/http://www.kemin.dk/en-US/theminister/curriculum/Sider/Forside.aspx |date=27 March 2009 }} Retrieved 1 November 2009.</ref> In 1990, she left politics to pursue a career in journalism. Over the next 14 years, she worked as a journalist at the newspaper [[Berlingske Tidende]], took the post of Director of [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]] Radio News, and was the anchor for Deadline, a Danish TV news program.
==Political career== ===Member of the Danish government, 2004–2010=== Diving back into politics in 2004, she became Minister of the Environment. A year later, she became Minister for Nordic Cooperation. After the November 2007 general election, she was chosen as Minister for Climate and Energy. In May 2008, she told Denmark, "Sustainable economic growth is an attainable objective. The Nordic Region has made great progress with solutions based on environmental technology, and some day it will be possible to stockpile energy generated from renewable sources such as windmills, and to run vehicles purely on excess energy."<ref name="ecolo">{{cite web | last=Hudson | first=Gavin | url=https://www.expertsure.com/2008/10/19/the-woman-stearing-denmarks-alternative-energy-success/ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20161129054810/https://www.expertsure.com/2008/10/19/the-woman-stearing-denmarks-alternative-energy-success/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 November 2016 | title=The Woman Steering Denmark's Alternative Energy Success | date=19 October 2008 | publisher=expertsure.com | access-date=17 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Setting a good example on climate change|url=http://www.norden.org/en/news-and-events/news/setting-a-good-example-on-climate-change|publisher=Norden.org|access-date=17 February 2013|date=19 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306211115/http://www.norden.org/en/news-and-events/news/setting-a-good-example-on-climate-change|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Hedegaard was also in charge of preparing and hosting the [[United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009]] in [[Copenhagen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.cop15.dk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129050845/http://en.cop15.dk/ |archive-date=29 January 2009 |title=Home - COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009}}</ref>
From 2007, Hedegaard was behind Denmark's energy policies. In April, she signed an action plan with [[India]] on renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ens.dk/sw68304.asp|title=ENS}}</ref> One notable achievement was her role in introducing Denmark's Energy Policy 2008–2011. The policy made her country the first in the world to commit to an overall energy reduction, not just a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It includes the following language.
*Energy Savings: A target of 2% reduction of total energy use from 2006 levels by 2011, and 4% by 2020. *Renewable Energy: Increased biomass/waste and wind energy and provide large, annual subsidies for solar and wave energy. Regarding wind power, plans include support for two 200 MW offshore wind farms that are scheduled to begin energy production in 2012. Additionally, money has been set aside for informational and labeling campaigns aimed at replacing oil-fired furnaces with heat pumps. *Energy taxes: Higher taxes on CO<sub>2</sub> emitters, as well as a new tax on emitters of nitrogen oxide (NO<sub>x</sub>). *Energy technology: Doubled funding for energy technology R&D. *Transport: Extended the electric vehicle tax exemption to 2012 and introduced a tax exemption for hydrogen vehicles. Planned a tests scheme for electric vehicles. Set the goal to use 5.75% biofuels for all land transit by 2010 and 10% by 2020, in line with EU targets.
===European Commissioner for Climate Action, 2010–2014=== Taking up her new position at the European Commission on 10 February 2010, Hedegaard stressed the importance of climate change in the 21st century. She hoped that by the end of her five-year term, Europe would be the most climate friendly region in the world. Her priorities would be to implement the European [[European Union climate and energy package|Climate and Energy package]] and to continue her efforts towards an ambitious international climate agreement.<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/index_en.htm Welcome message from Connie Hedegaard. From European Commission]. Retrieved 11 February 2010.</ref>
According to the mandate outlined by [[José Manuel Barroso|President Barroso]], her principal responsibilities as Commissioner for Climate Action was to: * Help the European Union to meet its targets for 2020 and beyond to reduce [[greenhouse gas]] emissions; * Develop and implement the [[European Union Emission Trading Scheme]] and to promote its links with other [[carbon trading]] systems with the ultimate aim of building an international carbon trading market, * Help promote the development and demonstration of low carbon and [[Global warming#Adaptation|adaptation]] technologies and to develop a strong science and economic base for EU climate policy; * Have cross cutting responsibility for developing [[climate change adaptation|adaptation to climate change]] inside the EU and for working with other Commissioners, to ensure that an appropriate climate dimension is present in all Community policies; * Build on the White Paper on adaptation to climate change and to help develop adaptation strategies across all policy areas.<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/about/mandate/hedegaard_climate_en.pdf Mandate for Mrs Connie Hedegaard. From European Commission] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307123639/http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/about/mandate/hedegaard_climate_en.pdf |date=7 March 2010 }}. Retrieved 11 February 2010.</ref>
In order to carry out her responsibilities, Hedegaard was in charge of the newly created [[Directorate-General for Climate Action]] which builds on the climate directorate which was previously in the [[Directorate-General for Environment]].
==Life after politics== In 2025, Hedegaard was appointed to the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) Regional Office for Europe’s Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health (PECCH), chaired by [[Katrín Jakobsdóttir]].<ref>[https://www.who.int/docs/librariesprovider2/default-document-library/pecch-members.pdf PECHH members] [[World Health Organization]] (WHO).</ref>
==Other activities== ===International organizations=== * [[European Investment Bank]] (EIB), Member of the Climate and Environment Advisory Council (since 2021)<ref>[https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2021-294-eib-group-creates-climate-and-environment-advisory-council EIB Group creates Climate and Environment Advisory Council] [[European Investment Bank]] (EIB), press release of 1 September 2021.</ref>
===Corporate boards=== * [[Danfoss|Danfoss Group]], Member of the Board<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.danfoss.com/newsstories/cf/former-eu-commissioner-for-climate-action-joins-danfoss-board/?ref=17179879839|title=Former EU Commissioner for Climate Action joins Danfoss Board|website=www.danfoss.com|access-date=2016-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807185526/http://www.danfoss.com/newsstories/cf/former-eu-commissioner-for-climate-action-joins-danfoss-board/?ref=17179879839|archive-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Volkswagen]], Member of the Sustainability Council<ref>[http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2016/09/sustainability_council.html Volkswagen Group appoints international Sustainability Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002103546/http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2016/09/sustainability_council.html |date=2 October 2016 }} [[Volkswagen]], press release of 28 September 2016.</ref><ref>Aleksandra Eriksson (30 September 2016), [https://euobserver.com/institutional/135306 Former EU climate chief defends VW post] ''[[EUobserver]]''.</ref> *[[Nordex]], Member of the Supervisory Board *[[BBVA]], Member of the Board
===Non-profit organizations=== * Africa Europe Foundation (AEF), Member of the High-Level Group of Personalities on Africa-Europe Relations (since 2020)<ref>[https://www.friendsofeurope.org/initiatives/eu-africa-high-level-group/ High-Level Group of Personalities on Africa-Europe Relations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411085150/https://www.friendsofeurope.org/initiatives/eu-africa-high-level-group/ |date=11 April 2022 }} Africa Europe Foundation (AEF).</ref> * Friends of Europe, Member of the Board of Trustees (since 2020)<ref>[https://www.friendsofeurope.org/insights/trustees/ Friends of Europe appoints 29 new members to its Board of Trustees] Friends of Europe, press release of 25 June 2020.</ref> * [[Aarhus University]], chairman of the Board<ref>[http://www.au.dk/en/about/uni/theaarhusuniversityboard/ Aarhus University Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208095012/http://www.au.dk/en/about/uni/theaarhusuniversityboard/ |date=8 February 2016 }} [[Aarhus University]].</ref> * [[Bilderberg Group]], Member of the Steering Committee<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steering Committee |url=https://bilderbergmeetings.org/background/steering-committee/steering-committee |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527234509/https://bilderbergmeetings.org/background/steering-committee/steering-committee |archive-date=2019-05-27 |website=[[Bilderberg Meeting]]}}</ref> * [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD), Round Table on Sustainable Development (RTSD), Member * KR Foundation, chairwoman of the Board * [[European Climate Foundation]], Member of the Supervisory Board<ref>[https://europeanclimate.org/governance/ Supervisory Board] [[European Climate Foundation]].</ref> * [[European Council on Foreign Relations]] (ECFR), Member * [[European Policy Centre]] (EPC), Member of the Advisory Council
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Connie Hedegaard}} * {{ft.dk link}} * [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hedegaard/index_en.htm Commissioner Connie Hedegaard] Official website * [http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/2010/mediaGallery.cfm?&gallery=yes&sitelang=en#8921 Connie Hedegaard] Official Media Gallery * [http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/06/interview-hans-jrgen-koch-explains-why-irena-is-50-times-more-than-the-iea Interview: Hans Jørgen Koch Explains Why IRENA Is "50 times More than the IEA"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927052114/http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/06/interview-hans-jrgen-koch-explains-why-irena-is-50-times-more-than-the-iea |date=27 September 2012 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100215184316/http://ec.europa.eu/commission_designate_2009-2014/pdf/hedegaard_en.pdf CV (in English)] from the European Commission. *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120318111745/http://oneworldgroup.org/2010/07/30/barbara-ward-lecture-2010/ Connie Hedegaard talking at The Barbara Ward Lecture in 2010] in London.
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Hans Christian Schmidt]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Minister for the Environment (Denmark)|Minister for the Environment]]|years=2004–2007}} {{s-aft|after=[[Troels Lund Poulsen]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Flemming Hansen (politician)|Flemming Hansen]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Minister for Nordic Cooperation|years=2005–2007}} {{s-aft|after=[[Bertel Haarder]]}} |- {{s-new|office}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy|Minister for Climate and Energy]]|years=2007–2009}} {{s-aft|after=[[Lykke Friis]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Mariann Fischer Boel]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Denmark|Danish European Commissioner]]|years=2010–2014}} {{s-aft|after=[[Margrethe Vestager]]}} |- {{s-new|office}} {{s-ttl|title=[[European Commissioner for Climate Action]]|years=2010–2014}} {{s-aft|after=[[Miguel Arias Cañete]]|as=European Commissioner for Climate Action and [[European Commissioner for Energy|Energy]]}} {{S-ach}} {{succession box |before = {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Emmelie de Forest]] |title = European of the Year<br><small>(by the Danish European Movement)</small> |years = 2014 |after = {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Helle Thorning-Schmidt]] }} {{s-end}}
{{Second Barroso Commission}} {{European Commissioners from Denmark}} {{European People's Party}} {{Navbox with collapsible groups |name = |state = collapsed |title = Members of the [[Folketing]] |list1 = {{Folketing members 2007–2011}} }} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hedegaard, Connie}} [[Category:1960 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Conservative People's Party (Denmark) politicians]] [[Category:Berlingske people]] [[Category:Danish European commissioners]] [[Category:Ministers for the environment of Denmark]] [[Category:Ministers of climate of Denmark]] [[Category:Women European commissioners]] [[Category:21st-century Danish women politicians]] [[Category:Women members of the Folketing]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Denmark]] [[Category:Members of the Folketing 1984–1987]] [[Category:Members of the Folketing 1987–1988]] [[Category:Members of the Folketing 1988–1990]] [[Category:Members of the Folketing 2005–2007]] [[Category:Members of the Folketing 2007–2011]]