Every year, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy & Utilities publishes a climate status and projection for the sectors and for Denmark’s total emissions. The projection contains an estimate of the trend in Denmark’s emissions as a result of existing political agreements, economic growth and technological developments.  

It is now reported that emissions in 2030 will have been reduced by 72 per cent compared to the baseline year of 1990. This is the first time for the ministry to assess that Denmark will meet its climate target of a 70 per cent reduction, which was politically adopted with the Climate Act in 2020.

Last year’s assessment was that emissions in 2030 would be reduced by 68 per cent, leaving a shortfall of 1.5 million tonnes to reach the 2030 target. However, this year, the assessment is that the target is expected to be met with a margin of 1.5 million tonnes.  

Green energy is the driver

Several factors play a role in the change in the climate projection, including sales of electric cars. Eight out of 10 Danes opt for electric when buying a new car, a trend which is expected to increase. In fact, the number of registered electric cars in 2028 is expected to be around 1 million and in 2030, 1.4 million.

The electricity and district heating sector, which emitted the most in 1990, is now estimated to be the first sector to capture more CO2 then it emits as a result of CCS. Danes have also become better at energy efficiency, i.e. by insulating their homes and choosing heat pumps and electric cars, which are highly energy efficient.