Air pollution - National Responses (Denmark)

The large reduction in emissions of SO₂ is mainly due to the installation of desulphurisation plants, a tax on sulphur emissions, and the use of fuels with lower content of sulphur in public power and district heating plants.

The reduction in emissions of NO_x is due to an increased use of catalysts in cars and the installation of low-NO_x burners and de-nitrifying units in power and district heating plants.

The reduction in NH₃ is due to the adoption of a series of national action plans on the aquatic environment during the last twenty years, and the Ammonia Action Plan. These action plans set limits for the loss of nitrogen to the environment from the agricultural sector.

To meet reduction goals for NO_x, NMVOC, PAHs and air quality limit values for NO₂, further reduction measures will be initiated as described in the Danish Air Strategy from 2008. For particulate matter, a strengthening of existing environmental zones, filters in new taxis and a tax on cars without filters are measures which have been implemented. For PAHs, a legal notice that sets emission limits for wood‑burning stoves and boilers went into force in June 2008. An action plan for NO₂ is expected to emerge in 2010. Also the government plan for ‘Green Growth’ describes improvements for air quality.

The large reduction in Pb emissions is due to a gradual shift towards unleaded gasoline being essential for catalyst cars. Other reductions in emissions of heavy metals are mainly due to the increased use of gas‑cleaning devices at power and district heating plants (including waste incineration plants).

Reference

• 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: Factsheets. National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), Aarhus University, 170 p. – NERI scientific report series, no. 751. (In Danish) http://www.naturogmiljoe.dmu.dk/

• National Environmental Research Institute. Homepage for air quality data from the Danish monitoring program on air quality in Danish cities. Aarhus University http://www2.dmu.dk/1_Viden/2_miljoe-tilstand/3_luft/4_maalinger/5_database/hentdata.asp

• National Environmental Research Institute. Homepage for yearly monitoring reports of assessment of air quality data. http://www.dmu.dk/Luft/Maaling/Aarsrapporter/

• National Environmental Research Institute. Homepage for monitoring data for air quality in the country side and data on deposition of nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur compounds as well as ozone, heavy metals and hazardous organic compounds. http://www.dmu.dk/Luft/Luftforurenings-modeller/Deposition/

• National Environmental Research Institute. Emission inventory - air pollutants in Denmark. Aarhus University http://www.dmu.dk/Luft/Emissioner/Air+pollutants/ (in English)

• Transport of Transport (previously Ministry of Traffic) 2003: Particle statement (Partikelredegørelse). http://www.trm.dk/sw1388.asp

• Government 2008: Clean air for everybody (Danish Air Strategy: Ren luft til alle). http://www.mim.dk/Nyheder/Pressemeddelelser/2008/20080616_luftstrategi.htm

• Government 2009: Action plan “Green Growth”. http://www.mim.dk/NR/rdonlyres/D5E4FC9A-B3AC-4C9A-B819-C42300F23CCA/0/GROENVAEKST_2904rapporten.pdf (in Danish)