Denmark can completely free itself from fossil fuels and create a clean energy system within planetary boundaries. New report shows walk too steps the path towards a climate-positive society in 2040

Our near future may become completely free of fossil fuels. We can create a society with cleaner air, greener cities, less noise, less pollution – a society where we live within planetary boundaries. And we can make it happen as early as 2040.

In a new report, the Green Transition Denmark has drawn up a transformation scenario for Denmark, which presents a realistic and financially responsible proposal for how Denmark can phase out fossil energy in all parts of society. In the report, RGO recommends that Denmark increase its production of solar and wind energy ninefold towards 2040, and make a much faster electrification of road transport, heat supply and industry. Overall, it is cheaper for society than if you stick to the slower transition that the government is proposing in its climate policy. In road transport alone, rapid electrification can save around DKK 7,1 billion. DKK in 2040.

"If we change the way we consume and produce energy, it will be a profitable business from a purely socio-economic point of view. At the same time, we avoid much larger climate bills in the future, promote biodiversity and reduce pollution, which we would otherwise have to clean up after," says Bjarke Møller, director of the Green Transition Denmark.

The report tackles major challenges that are often overlooked or omitted in Danish climate policy: Burning large amounts of solid wood biomass for e.g. electricity and heat, the emissions from international air and shipping and the embedded CO2.

"Denmark must take responsibility for our entire consumption and footprint on the global climate. If you do the math, our society is largely based on fossil fuels. We have often painted ourselves greener than we are," says Bjarke Møller, director of the Green Transition Denmark.

Fossil energy is found in all corners of our modern lives, and the report has mapped all of Denmark's energy consumption in all sectors. Modern food production with cheap food is driven by machines, chemicals and artificial fertilizers and thus by fossil fuels. In the same way, transport, building sites, offices, the internet, the telephone network, water and heat supply all depend on energy. Energy is also embedded in our shopping products. The report shows, for example, that 655 liters of diesel oil are used to produce the food that a Dane eats every year.

In the national climate and energy accounts, Denmark's international transport is not normally counted, but if you look at the entire Danish economy and include our international transport, 68 per cent. of the total energy consumption is still fossil. Only 13 per cent of energy consumption is electrified, and Denmark's fossil consumption increased by 63 per cent. since 1968. Today, only 13 per cent of Denmark's gross energy consumption comes from clean renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, heat pumps, hydropower and geothermal energy. The report estimates that Denmark is at most one sixth of the way with the green transition away from fossil fuels.

We need the energy tripartite and a new plan

The report's scenario is set up to give decision makers a better and more precise tool to navigate from. According to the Green Transition Denmark, there is now a need to bring together companies, municipalities, NGOs, researchers and other important actors so that they can develop a plan for how we can achieve the goal of a CO2-neutral and fossil-free energy system. In the same way as the government's green tripartite negotiations on agriculture.

"It is urgent because fossil energy damages the climate, pollutes the air and breaks several of the planetary boundaries. At the same time, access to cheap, clean and sufficient energy will be a decisive prerequisite for future competitiveness. And we must free ourselves from our dependence on Russia and other oil and gas states. All in all, it is the only viable path to take," says Bjarke Møller.

The report shows a clear plan for an energy system within the planetary boundaries. Now is the time for political action.

About the report 'Clean energy – within planetary limits in 2040'

The report's scenario is based on thorough calculations carried out by Ea Energianalyse on the Balmorel model. The report has also been prepared with continuous input from professional experts and from eight green front-runner companies. It will be launched at the conference 'Energy within planetary boundaries' on Monday 30 September at the New Theater in Copenhagen.

Find Ea Energianalyse's background report A sustainable energy system towards 2040

Find the attachment 'Socio-economic analysis of additional afforestation'.