Large decrease in Danish energy consumption and CO2 emissions in 2012

We currently use roughly the same amount of energy as in 1990, but, bearing in mind that there has been considerable economic growth since then, we now use 30.7 % less energy per unit of GDP.

“The development has been going on for decades, and also in 2012 the statistics show that we are on the right track. This is good for both the climate and the economy, and it is a development that we can be proud of. But we are far from done. With the Energy Agreement and the stimulus package we increase the efforts to improve energy efficiency,” says Climate-, Energy-, and Building Minister Martin Lidegaard in a press release today.

Decreasing CO2 emissions 

The Energy Statistics also show that the share of renewable energy in the electricity supply is increasing. In 2012, some 43.1 % of our electricity came from renewable energy sources - especially wind turbines. At the same time, CO2 emissions fell. A provisional estimate of the actual total greenhouse gas emissions shows a decrease of 8.1 % in the period 2011 to 2012. Since 1990, emissions have fallen by 25.4 %.

"It is gratifying that greenhouse gas emissions show a decline. But if we are to live up to the recommendations that we receive from climate scientists, we must continue to reduce these emissions. We can still do more - not least in agriculture and transport," says Martin Lidegaard.