The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Transport

By integrating concerns regarding sustainable development into transport and infrastructure, the total transport system can be improved and become a tool to limit the negative impacts of transport on the environment.

According to the Johannesburg Plan, sustainable, integrated transport strategies should contribute to reducing the negative impact on health by the transport sector, as well as its CO2 emissions, and improve the quality and efficiency of transport

In order to reduce the content of particles in the air, the Danish government has earmarked DKK 15 million each year for 2004 and 2005 to reduce emissions of particles from heavy vehicles. Other important initiatives include environmental zones, stricter requirements for inspection, and information regarding particle filters for lorry drivers and providers of transport. It is estimated that the current emissions of particles will be reduced by 50 per cent over the next five to six years, solely through existing EU requirements.

Requirements regarding emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from vehicles are regularly tightened in the EU.The Government aims to bring down emissions by 60 per cent in 2010 compared to the 1988 level.The EU requirements have led to a large reduction in these emissions generally, as well as reductions in Danish emissions.

Work to achieve more energy-efficient and cleaner means of transport is becoming primarily regulated under the EU through emissions requirements. Agreements have been made with the automobile industry to improve fuel consumption by vehicles. In Denmark these agreements have been followed up with energy labelling, campaigns, and green taxes.

The Government has set up a road noise group to prepare a proposal for a strategy to limit noise from traffic.The strategy will indicate the most cost-effective solutions to reduce noise, and it will describe how initiatives against traffic noise should be organised in the future.