Nature protection and biodiversity - National Responses (Denmark)

Denmark is party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity targeting a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity by 2010. Denmark has outlined its nature conservation policy objectives in a range of documents, which are in the process of being implemented. These documents are summarised in the fourth country report to CBD (2009) and include, among other, the National Strategy on Biological Diversity (2004), the Action Plan for Biodiversity and Nature Conservation (2004-2009), the National Strategy on Natural Forests (1992-2040), the National Action plan on Alien Invasive Species (2009) and the National Strategy on Honey Bee’s (2009 – 2013).

A thorough evaluation of the impact of action plans and initiatives is provided in the fourth country report to the Convention on Biodiversity. The report is based largely on the Danish state-of-the-environment reports – part A and B.

An important initiative is the Government action plan “Green Growth” from 2009. The plan includes an environment and nature plan and a strategy for a green agricultural sector. At national level several initiatives will be implemented to strengthen the protection of the various types of nature (including dryland), plants and animals.  Included in the Green Growth” plan is economic support to establish up to 75,000 ha new nature and improved site management of private and state owned Natura 2000 sites and approx. 40,000 ha § 3 areas (meadows, heaths, mosses, grasslands, etc.) outside the Natura 2000 sites.

References

• Normander, B., Jensen, T.S., Henrichs T., Sanderson, H., & Pedersen, A.B. (red.) 2009: Nature and Environment 2009 – Part A: Denmarks environment and global challenges . National Environment Research Institute (NERI), University of Aarhus, 94 p .NERI- scientific report series, no. 750.  (in Danish/English summary) http://www2.dmu.dk/webmtr/pdf/FR750_A.pdf (15.05.2010)

• Normander, B., Henriksen, C.I., Jensen, T.S., Sanderson, H., Henrichs, T., Larsen, L.E. & Pedersen, A.B. (red.) 2009: Nature and Environment 2009 – Part B: Facts. National Environment Research Institute (NERI), University of Aarhus, 170 p. NERI- scientific report series, no. 751. . (in Danish): http://www.naturogmiljoe.dmu.dk/) (15.05.2010)

• Environment Ministry 2010. Fourth country report to CBD, Denmark (draft version). http://www.blst.dk/NR/rdonlyres/568FF605-DD03-430C-B9F3-CDCC7DF6342E/0/DRAFTCBDDenmark.pdf (15.05.2010)

• Danish Biodiversity homepage. http://www.dk-chm.dk/convention/F1117808192 (15.05.2010)

• Government (2009): Government action plan “Green Growth” – Nature, Environment and the Agriculture sector. Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs. http://www.mim.dk/Nyheder/Temaer/Groen_vaekst/ and  http://www.oem.dk/sw25353.asp