Danish Parliament secures “world’s most ambitious” climate law

Denmark is to reduce greenhouse emissions by 70 percent by 2030 as 8 out of the 10 parties in the Danish Parliament agreed on a legally binding national Climate Act.

On Friday 6th of December, 8 out of the 10 parties in the Danish Parliament agreed on a legally binding national Climate Act.

The cornerstone of the agreement charges Denmark to reduce greenhouse emissions by 70 percent by 2030 compared to 1999 levels.

All sectors must be decarbonized

Every year, the Danish Government will present Climate Action Programmes with concrete political initiatives to decarbonize every sector from transport to agriculture and energy.

In order to decrease emissions, the Government launched 13 climate partnerships with Denmark’s leading private sector organisations.

It has also established a Committee for the Green Transformation to ensure that climate considerations are taken into account of every major political decision.

Denmark is a leader in offshore wind

In 1991, Denmark accelerated the green transition by building the world’s first offshore wind farm. Today, offshore wind energy has become a thriving global industry that provides power cheaper than coal and nuclear plants.

“It is time to use our experience from the wind industry to develop new sustainable solutions that can accelerate the world’s green transition and combat climate change.” 

- The Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Dan Jørgensen

The law is expected to be approved by Parliament before Christmas and specific actions plans are to be agreed upon sometime in the spring of 2020.

Key points of the Climate Law

• Denmark is to reduce greenhouse emissions by 70 percent by 2030
• Milestones for 2025 are to be established (a central demand from several parties during negotiations)
• The 2025 milestones are to be proposed by the climate council Klimarådet in connection with the climate action plan that Parliament is to approve this coming spring
• Annual follow-ups are to be ushered in to ensure that plans are on track and that governments are pushing the required policies
• The law includes a principle that goals lower than what has already been achieved cannot be set
• Reductions of greenhouse gases must occur on Danish soil. That prevents parties from obtaining CO2 quotas as a way to reach the goal
• Should the government find itself a few percentage points shy of reaching the 70 percent target as 2030 draws near, a last ’escape clause’ has been added. That will allow the parties to meet again and try to find other solutions

Discover sustainable business opportunities in Greater Copenhagen

Leading the green transition, Copenhagen is aiming to become the world’s first carbon neutral capital city already by 2025.

If you want to know more about business opportunities in Greater Copenhagen spurred by this ambitious march, please contact Matthew Delany, Head of Cleantech & Sustainable Urban Development Team via email: mde@copcap.com or mobile: 0045 41 12 28 03.