Lars Aagaard

Denmark's Climate and Energy Minister Lars Aagaard has one of the most delicate jobs in the EU Council. He has to negotiate the phase-out of Russian gas and oil by the end of the year – against the economic interests of several member states, but for Europe's credibility in the conflict with Russia. With an ambitious result, he would step out of the shadow of his very present compatriot Dan Jørgensen. Ahead of the COP30 in Brazil, Aagaard is also fighting for ambitious European climate targets.