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Denmark's Third National Communication on Climate Change

Foreword

The ultimate objective of international climate cooperation is described in Article 2 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, namely to achieve a "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".

In September 2001, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented its Third Assessment Report. The report shows that there is now stronger evidence for a human influence on the global climate than previously assumed, and that most of the observed warming at the Earth’s surface over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to human activities. The climate changed during the twentieth century, and larger changes are expected in the twenty-first century.

No one knows the exact scope of future climate change. However, today no one can doubt the risk that climate change will affect humans and the environment in both the rich and the poor parts of the world. Taking climate change seriously has become a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development.

The Danish government takes global climate change seriously, and it will fully meet Denmark’s international commitments.

Within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol, under the auspices of the EU, Denmark is committed to reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases by 21% in 2008-12 compared to the level in 1990, taking into account the unusually high import of electricity in 1990. This is one of the hardest reduction targets in the world.

Since Denmark issued its First (1994) and Second (1997) National Communication under the UN Climate Convention, the Kyoto Protocol has been adopted, and the Conference of the Parties has taken the decisions necessary on realisation of the Protocol. Denmark ratified the Kyoto Protocol together with the other EU countries on 31 May 2002. The Danish government hopes that the Protocol will enter into force in 2003.

This Third National Communication is the result of extensive work, coordinated by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, and with the participation of a large number of public institutions. The report contains information on implementation by Denmark, Greenland, and the Faeroe Islands of the commitments under the UN Convention on Climate Change, including emissions and uptake of greenhouse gases, policies and measures, and the expected effects of these.

The report also contains information on the Danish government’s new national climate change strategy, which the Danish Parliament, Folketinget, endorsed in March 2003. The strategy’s objective is to meet Denmark’s Kyoto target by achieving more environment for the money. The strategy therefore combines cost-effective national measures with use of the Kyoto Protocol’s flexible mechanisms and the EU system for trading with emissions.

Throughout the 90s, Denmark initiated considerable national efforts within the climate area, and these efforts will continuously contribute to reductions in the future. With regard to total emissions of all greenhouse gases, in 2000 Denmark achieved the target in the Convention on Climate Change to reduce to 1990 levels. Despite significant economic growth, CO₂ emissions have returned to the level in 1990. While electricity export to Scandinavia has increased, CO₂ emissions caused by domestic activities have decreased by more than 13%.

One of the most recent measures introduced is a tax on industrial greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆), which entered into force in March 2001. In July 2002 this was followed by rules on phasing out the use of these substances. With some exceptions, phase out will take place over the period 2003-2006.

The climate challenge requires targeted, long-term, and united action in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities for countries. The industrialised countries must continue to lead the way with reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases, and grant assistance to the developing countries, including transfers of technology and capacity building. However, economic developments in several countries not listed in Annex I of the Convention on Climate Change are now so favourable that they will soon also be able to make greater contributions to curbing the increasing emissions of greenhouse gases. Not at the expense of their economic development, but to the advantage of it. Today there are many technological opportunities to promote economic development, and at the same time reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Renewable energy is a good example.

We must initiate a process as soon as possible that builds upon openness and credibility between the Parties, and that aims at further action after 2012 -with a view to meeting our common goal, the ultimate objective of the Convention on Climate Change.

Copenhagen, May 2003

Hans Chr. Schmidt
Minister for the Environment