Sustainability is not something you simply start – it is something you have to maintain, improve and continue developing.
For Henning Kirkegaard, real environmental responsibility is not about launching initiatives and moving on to the next project. It is about ensuring that every solution continues to create value over time.
“It’s not enough to simply start something. Too often, you see initiatives being launched, only for them to gradually lose momentum and eventually fade away. You have to make sure they perform at 100% – and keep performing at 100%.”
– Henning Kirkegaard, CEO hos WebLager®
This mindset has shaped the way WebLager® approaches sustainability: through long-term investments, continuous optimisation and technology that creates impact far beyond what is immediately visible.
Improving what already works
WebLager®’s wind turbines are a strong example of this approach. One of the company’s turbines recently reached the end of its original working life after 21 years of reliable operation. During that time, it generated 114 million kilowatt-hours of electricity – an amount of energy that an average Danish household would need more than 25,000 years to consume. Instead of replacing the turbine, WebLager® chose to invest in extending its lifetime. The internal components were completely replaced, allowing the turbine to operate for another 21 years. During its first 21 years alone, the turbine prevented approximately 63,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions compared with producing the same amount of electricity from coal-fired power plants. For Henning, this demonstrates the importance of taking action and thinking long-term.
Sustainability hidden inside technology
Not all environmental improvements are visible. Some of the biggest opportunities are found deep inside the technology that powers everyday operations. One example is WebLager®’s work with database optimisation. Traditionally, systems often repeat the same calculations every time information is requested – even when nothing has changed. By using modern database technology, the company can make its systems smarter. Instead of recalculating information repeatedly, data is automatically updated only when changes occur. The result is reduced server processing, lower electricity consumption and a more efficient infrastructure. These improvements may not be visible to users, but they are an important part of reducing the environmental impact of digital solutions.
Making decisions for the long term
Sustainability is reflected not only in how WebLager® operates, but also in the everyday decisions it makes and the solutions it creates for its customers. When investing in new solutions, the company does not only consider the initial price. Instead, the company looks at the total value a solution creates throughout its lifetime – including its environmental impact.
“We’re not interested in buying the cheapest option, because the cheapest solution often turns out to be the most expensive in the long run.”
This long-term perspective also extends to customers. Digital solutions make it possible for citizens to access documents instantly online, rather than travelling to collect physical copies. Every year, around eight million document accesses take place through the platform, supported by infrastructure powered by renewable energy. While each avoided journey may seem small, the impact becomes significant when multiplied millions of times. In fact, the CO₂ savings enabled through digital access are many times greater than the emissions prevented through the company’s own renewable energy production. Sustainability is therefore not simply about reducing its own footprint. It is about creating solutions that enable others to reduce theirs – while making choices today that create value far into the future.
“The environment belongs to all of us. There isn’t a Danish climate crisis, a Norwegian climate crisis, an American climate crisis, or a Chinese climate crisis. We have one global climate challenge.”
By combining renewable energy, smarter technology and long-term thinking, WebLager® demonstrates that sustainability is not an extra consideration or an additional cost. It is a fundamental part of creating lasting value – for the company, its customers and the world we all share.
In the final chapter, we’ll look at how WebLager®’s forward-thinking mindset continues to shape its future – from using technology to do more with less to investing in renewable energy and taking responsibility for the environment long before it became a business standard.
