A shared future - balanced development - Short version
2. A safe and healthy environment for all
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Denmark is to be among the industrialised countries in the forefront of reducing environmental pollution. The quality of the environment in Denmark must be high. Soil, water and air pollution must have a decreasing influence on human health and plant and animal life. Hazardous, anthropogenic climatic effects must be prevented. Special attention must be given to groups of vulnerable people, particularly children and pregnant women as well as to fragile ecosystems. Consumers must have safe and healthy food. Hazardous chemicals must be removed from consumer products, homes, and workplaces. |
Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges.The content of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere must be stabilised at a sufficiently low level to prevent hazardous,
anthropogenic influence on the climate system. In an international context, Denmark has a
high CO2 emission per capita, which obliges it to take a special
responsibility. To meet the commitment made under the international Kyoto Protocol,
Denmark must decrease its total greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels by 21
percent between 2008-2012.The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has indicated
that a stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations at levels which avoid anthropogenic
climate changes may require emissions to be reduced by 50 - 70 percent. Denmark, along
with the other countries participating in the Climate Convention are expected to undertake
further, significant emission reduction commitments in the budget period after 2012.
Reducing CO2 emissions by half within one generation can be considered as an
indicative aim. The so-called flexible mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol can be
cost-effective tools which should be utilised and further developed.
Substantial progress has already been made though concentrated efforts. Danish energy supplies have shifted so that a greater percentage of the energy consumed is derived from natural gas and renewable energy. Surplus heat from electrical production is used more effectively today. This has resulted in a 10 percent reduction in CO2 emissions in the last decade. Other sectors, for example agriculture, transport, and industry, must also reduce their emissions. Emissions of other greenhouse cases used in industrial production must also be limited.
Environment and health are connected.The production, use, and disposal of products must not be hazardous to human health or the environment. In 2002, the Danish government will present a strategy on environment and health with proposals to reduce hazardous effects from environmental factors. The strategy will focus on chemicals, as well as efforts to improve food quality, work place environments, and the indoor climate.
The use of hazardous chemicals must be reduced to a minimum in the years ahead. Danish efforts to reduce the number and use of hazardous chemicals will continue to be based on the precautionary principle.This means that environmental impacts from chemical substances, etc. must not exceed critical tolerance levels in the environment. In 2020, products containing chemicals with particularly harmful health or environmental effects, for example carcinogens, mutagens, substances which reduce fertility or which are harmful to vulnerable ecosystems will be banned from the market.Within the EU, Denmark will work towards banning chemical substances if the necessary data regarding side effects is not supplied by the product manufacturer within a designated time. Chemical manufacturers must take the responsibility of ensuring that their products can be used without endangering human health or the environment.
Food must be safe, healthy, and of high quality. Assessment of risks associated with food is based on the precautionary principle. Denmark will limit the use of food additives. Authorities must ensure that there are clear and easily understood regulations, helpful information, effective controls, and openness. Food producers have, via their own internal controls, an important responsibility for food safety. The position of the food sector must be strengthened by promoting innovation, research, dissemination of information, product development and the capability to convert to new methods or types of production within the food industry. Denmark must have effective inputs within the field of nutrition, where the goal is to improve the health of the population and prevent illnesses.
All workplaces must have a safe and secure working environment. After 2020, no employee may be exposed to hazardous chemical substances, organic solvents, heavy metals, or other hazardous health impacts during work.The indoor climate must not give rise to health problems for the occupants. Construction and housing materials must be of a high quality so that they neither emit nor produce harmful substances.