Denmark aims to eradicate the use of fossil fuels for domestic flights by 2030, the country’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen announced in her New Year’s address to the nation.
With its highest economic growth in 15 years and the lowest unemployment rate in 12 years, Frederiksen said the country’s post-pandemic recovery should focus on solving “the biggest and move important challenge of our time – the climate crisis”.
The country has already set a target of a 70 per cent reduction in overall carbon emissions by 2030 – compared to 1990 – and is now set on reducing the impact of air travel.
“To travel is to live and that is why we fly, but at the same time it is harmful to our climate,” said the prime minister.
“We need to make it green to fly. Therefore, the government will set an ambitious goal: by 2025, Danes must have the opportunity to fly green on a domestic route. And by 2030 at the latest, we must be able to fly completely green when we fly domestically in Denmark.”
She continued: “Will it be difficult? Yes. Is it possible? Yes, I think so. We are already on our way. Skilled researchers and companies are working on the solutions. If we succeed it will be a green breakthrough, not just for Denmark but for the whole world.”