Ved lektor, Jacob Hasselbalch, CBS

How is sustainability measured—and who determines which solutions are feasible, responsible, or simply too expensive?

The green transition is not only about technology and political ambition. It is also about expertise—and about the power to define knowledge, models, and possible futures.

In this lecture series, we examine the experts, calculation models, and institutions that shape climate action in practice—from the Danish Energy Agency and international bodies such as IRENA to energy planning in Brazil. We also draw on additional cases where expert knowledge is decisive, including the global fight against plastic pollution and historical experiences with environmental and economic planning.

Along the way, we ask a crucial question:
Can transition expertise be opened up to greater democratic participation without losing authority and effectiveness?

The lectures offer fresh insight into the role of the state, the power of bureaucracies, and the often invisible struggles that shape what ultimately counts as a sustainable future.

Mens byen vågner: Experts and expertise in the Green Transition Who decides what counts as "green"?