Climate change mitigation - Drivers and pressures (Denmark)

The energy sector is the most important source of emissions of greenhouse gases. Since the 1970s, the yearly Danish energy consumption has been relatively stable, but in recent years energy consumption has increased slightly. From 2000 to 2008, the gross energy consumption has increased by 3.1 %, corrected for climate variation and energy import and export. The highest increase in energy consumption is within the transport sector, primarily road traffic. The transport related increase was 11.1 % from 2000 to 2008. For other sectors, the energy consumption has been relatively stable since 2000. At the same time, the share of renewable energy has increased from 2000 to 2008 from 11.4 % to 18.5 % of the gross energy consumption.

Figure 1 (5.1.1): The total Danish energy consumption in Peta Joule (PJ = 10¹⁵ Joule) shown for different fuel types. The data are corrected for climatic variations and are exclusive foreign shipping transport. Source: Danish Energy Agency.

Figure 2 (5.2.1):: Production of renewable energy (measured in Peta Joule = 10¹⁵ Joule) in Denmark shown for different energy sources. Source: Danish Energy Agency

Figure 3 (5.1.2): The total Danish energy consumption (measured in Peta Joule (PJ) = 10¹⁵ Joule) distributed on economic sectors. The data are corrected for climatic variations and are included foreign aviation, but not foreign sea transport. Source: Danish Energy Agency.

Figure 4 (5.1.3): Energy consumption in the transport sector, distributed on subsectors (measured in Peta Joule (PJ) = 10¹⁵ Joule). Source: Danish Energy Agency

Total Danish greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 7.4 % from 1990 to 2008, excluding LULUCF. If the amount is corrected for the natural yearly variation due to climatic factors and changes in import/export of electricity, it is estimated that emissions decreased by 14.4 % from 1990 to 2008. The highest emissions are from the energy sector, mainly from energy used for heating and electricity production, and account for 56 %. The transport sector accounts for 22 % and the agriculture sector for 16 %. CO₂ accounts for 80 % of total greenhouse gas emissions.

Figure 5 (5.3.1 modified): Emission of greenhouse gasses, measured in CO₂-equivalents, distributed on the main economic sectors. LULUCF is emission or uptake from vegetation. Source: National Environmental Research Institute.

Figure 6 (5.3.2): The Danish emission of greenhouse gasses in 2008 distributed on economic sectors. Source: National Environmental Research Institute