Energy Strategy 2050 – from coal, oil and gas

Efforts for greenhouse gas reductions made until now
have laid the foundation for compliance with the reduction
commitment. A number of the government initiatives
to reduce fossil fuel use will also lead to significant
reductions in the non-ETS sectors. All in all, it has been
estimated, that the government’s new initiatives will
reduce non-ETS emissions by 4-5 million tonnes CO2
equivalents in the period 2013-2020. The greatest effect
will be achieved from enhanced efforts to improve energy
efficiency. In addition, effects will also be achieved
by conversion away from individual heating based on oil
and gas, a greater share of biofuels, an improved framework
for using biogas and free choice of fuel.
This will allow for a flexible and dynamic choice of further
climate initiatives in sectors such as agriculture, waste
and transport. The government will follow up on efforts
regularly to ensure compliance with the 2020 climate
commitment, and launch new initiatives as required.
Significant greenhouse gas
reductions in the long term
The need for significant reductions with regard to total
greenhouse gas emissions in the long term also requires
that the right foundation is laid down early in the process.
Thus short term efforts will contribute to steering
Denmark in the right direction with regard to the common
EU objective of an 80%-95% reduction by 2050
relative to 1990. Even though the EU target cannot be
translated into a Danish reduction commitment, it gives
an impression of the challenge facing Denmark with
regard to long term reductions.
Total greenhouse gas emissions will be
further reduced in line with the phase
out of fossil fuels.
Total greenhouse gas emissions will be further reduced
in line with the phasing out of fossil fuels. Calculations
made by the Danish Commission on Climate Change
Policy show that when Denmark’s energy and transport
systems no longer use fossil fuels, and therefore have
more or less no carbon emissions, Denmark’s greenhouse
gas emissions will be reduced by approximately
75%. Thus Denmark will be able to contribute to meeting
the EU objective, as well as the objective to limit the average
temperature rise to 2°C, as agreed in Copenhagen
in 2009 and in Cancún in 2010. However, cost-effective
reduction of total emissions requires efforts to limit
greenhouse gas emissions outside the energy sector,
both CO2 and other greenhouse gases, see figure 4.12.
mill tonnes CO2 eq.
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1990 2008 2020 2050
Other Agricultural CO2 from fossil fuels
Figure 4.12. Denmark’s greenhouse gas emissions in 1990,
2008, 2020 and 2050 (adj. emissions, excluding carbon
storage). Source: Danish Energy Agency/Danish Commission on Climate
Change Policy (2050-scenario)
Energy Strategy 2050 – from coal, oil and gas to green energy.
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