News
Broad Danish Agreement on Climate Bill and Ambitious Climate Goals
7 February 2014
The parties have also agreed that they stand behind the government's target of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020.
"It is truly a great day. The broad agreement on the 40% reduction of greenhouse gasses, to ensure meeting the ambitious targets that the government has set, will continue, even after an election. The Conservatives have announced their commitment to an agreement among the parties who take responsibility for the climate. This pleases me greatly - and the debate is open: I invite all political parties to come together and support this bill," said Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Rasmus Helveg Petersen.
With agreement on the national climate targets for 2020, the parties agree to ensure that climate action will create jobs and not cost jobs. This will be achieved by making use of modern technologies ensuring the effects of synergy in all sectors and by ensuring that the Danish business sector remains competitive.
The same parties also agreed on the formulation of the climate law. It is a policy objective that Denmark be a low-carbon society by the year 2050 in which greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to an absolute minimum. The climate law must ensure that development takes place at a reasonable pace in terms of growth and development. The incumbent government shall, every five years, fix climate targets for ten years ahead of time. The government shall also make and annual report to Parliament on how far we have come in relation to these issues.
In the context of the climate law, a Climate Council is to be established. It will be a council composed of independent experts whose job it will be to advise the government on the easiest and cheapest means of transitioning Denmark to a low-carbon society.
"It is a significant challenge to change Danish society in this way. It is vital that we plan effectively to make the transition both environmentally and resource-efficient so that growth and development are also supported. In this respect, the climate law and Climate Council should be of great help to us," says Rasmus Helveg Petersen.
- Read more about the Climate Bill (pdf)
Source: Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Building
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