The crises and challenges we face can and should therefore be considered and resolved in a holistic manner. This was also a key message in the Climate Council’s anniversary publication 'The Planet and Denmark', to which many researchers, organisations and political actors contributed. Good examples can inspire both the EU and the world, and Denmark has the opportunity to lead the way. Among other things, by setting ambitious climate targets and meeting them in a way that encourages other countries to follow suit. The EU plays a major role in driving Danish climate policy forward, but conversely, Denmark can also inspire other countries and influence EU regulation in a climate-ambitious direction. Denmark can also lead the way through global climate action, where Denmark contributes to reducing emissions beyond its borders. The Climate Act states that Denmark must be a pioneer in international climate action, and Denmark can achieve this in several ways. For example, Denmark can reduce the climate footprint of consumption, cut back on our high consumption of biomass, promote technological development and take responsibility for emissions from our share of international air and sea transport. At a time when international climate cooperation is under pressure and the federal US is withdrawing, good examples may be even more important.
In the short term, Denmark must meet its 2030 target and thereby set a good example. Policies have already been adopted that can meet the target, but a major task remains in implementing the political agreements. In the longer term, we must achieve the government’s new 2035 targets and subsequent goals of climate neutrality and absorbing more greenhouse gases than we emit. These may seem like distant goals, but they are not. This is particularly because measures such as afforestation and the expansion of energy infrastructure must be implemented early on to contribute as much as possible by 2045 and 2050. In this year’s progress report, the Climate Council reiterates the message that the transition and the necessary reductions must come from many different parts of society. To meet the climate targets for 2030, 2035, 2045 and 2050, many citizens, businesses and organisations will have to play important roles. This applies, for example, to farmers who are converting their carbon-rich land into nature, businesses that are phasing out oil and coal, and private individuals who are replacing gas-fired boilers with heat pumps and petrol cars with electric cars.Not to mention all those who have already made many necessary changes and contributed to reductions that have brought Denmark a good way towards meeting the 2030 target. Many will be able to share the credit if we succeed. In the 2026 Status Report, the Climate Council summarises the climate events of the past year in the world, the EU and Denmark. The Council assesses the government’s climate efforts and makes recommendations for future policy. Recommendations from the Council’s analyses regarding, for example, Denmark’s future land use and the climate targets for 2035 and 2050 also remain valid. Those interested can also find an overview of.
