DENMARK IMPLEMENTATION OF EUROPEAN UNION RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN PARIS AGREEMENT TO FACE THE THREAT GLOBAL WARMING

  • Hisao Amangku Universitas Nasional
Keywords: Global warming, renewable energy, Denmark, European Union, Paris Agreement

Abstract

Global warming, driven predominantly by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, presents a critical environmental challenge. The European Union (EU) has introduced frameworks such as the European Green Deal (EGD) to foster climate neutrality by 2050, with Denmark emerging as a frontrunner in renewable energy adoption. This study investigates how Denmark operationalizes the EGD’s objectives, focusing on renewable energy initiatives and their efficacy in mitigating climate impacts. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research analyzes policy documents, national strategies, and secondary literature to evaluate Denmark’s alignment with EU directives, including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and international commitments like the Paris Agreement. Key findings reveal Denmark’s significant progress in reducing emissions by 50% since 1990, primarily through large-scale investments in wind energy—contributing over 40% of national electricity—and solar power integration. Policy mechanisms such as feed-in tariffs, carbon taxation, and cross-sectoral partnerships have accelerated green technology adoption. Infrastructure innovations, including offshore wind farms and district heating systems, further underscore Denmark’s sustainable transition. However, challenges persist in decarbonizing agriculture and transportation, which account for 30% of emissions, necessitating enhanced electrification and behavioral shifts. The study concludes that Denmark’s success stems from robust policy coherence, public-private collaboration, and long-term regulatory stability, offering a replicable model for nations pursuing climate resilience. While Denmark’s achievements highlight the feasibility of EGD targets, scaling such strategies globally requires context-specific adaptations, particularly in developing economies. Future research should explore transferability barriers and sector-specific solutions to address residual emission hotspots.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abou El Fadl, S. (2012). Global Warming – Causes, Effects and Solution’S Trials. JES. Journal of Engineering Sciences, 40(4), 1233– 1254.https://doi.org/10.21608/jesaun.2012.114490.
Allen, M. R., O.P. Dube, W. Solecki, F. Aragón-Durand, W. Cramer, S. Humphreys, M. Kainuma, J. Kala, N. Mahowald, Y. Mulugetta, R. Perez, M. Wairiu, and K. Zickfeld. (2018). Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, Chapter 1 - 5, https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/.
Baldwin, Eric. 2019. CopenHill: The Story of BIG's Iconic Waste-to-Energy Plant, https://www.archdaily.com/925966/copenhill-the-story-of-bigs-iconic-waste-to-energy-plant.
Buzan, B., Wæver, O., de Wilde, J. (1998). Security: A New Framework for Analysis. hal. 1- 89.
C40 (2023). From local action to global impact: Denmark’s groundbreaking climate action planning. https://www.c40.org/news/local-action-global-impact-denmark-climate-action-planning-dk2020/
European Environment Agency. 2023. EEA greenhouse gases — data viewer, https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/maps-and-charts/greenhouse-gases-viewer-data-viewers
European Environment Agency. 2023. Heat and cold extreme heat, https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/europes-changing-climate-hazards-1/heat-and-cold/heat-and-cold-extreme-heat.
European Parliament. 2024. What progress has the EU made against climate change?, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20180706STO07407/what-progress-has-the-eu-made-against-climate-change-infographics#:~:text=EU%20progress%20towards%20its%20climate%20change%20goals&text=The%20EU%20aims%20to%20reduce,of%20the%20European%20Green%20Deal.
EV Booster. 2024. Corporate EV adoption in EU lags behind private households, raising concerns, https://evboosters.com/ev-charging-news/corporate-ev-adoption-in-eu-lags-behind-private-households-raising-concerns/.
Finnemore, M. (1960). National Interests in International Society. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press.
Foxwell, David. 2024. Denmark ‘needs more flexible approach’ to future offshore wind tenders,https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/denmark-needs-more-flexible-approach-to-future-offshore-wind-tenders-82255.
Horowitz, C. A. (2016). Paris agreement. International Legal Materials, 55(4), 740-755.
Hougaard, I. M. (2024). Enacting biochar as a climate solution in Denmark. Environmental Science & Policy, 152, 103651.
Klimaradet. 2023. Denmark's Climate Targets, https://klimaraadet.dk/en/analysis/denmarks-climate-targets.
Lidegaard, M. (2012). Energy policy in Denmark.
Meyer, N. I. (2007). Learning from wind energy policy in the EU: lessons from Denmark, Sweden and Spain. European Environment, 17(5), 347-362.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. 2021, Global Climate Action Strategy, https://um.dk/en/foreign-policy/new-climate-action-strategy.
Nash, S. L., & Steurer, R. (2021). Climate change acts in Scotland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden: The role of discourse and deliberation. Climate Policy, 21(9), 1120-1131.
OECD. 2022. Towards net zero emissions in Denmark, OECD Publications, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/towards-net-zero-emissions-in-denmark_5b40df8f-en.html#:~:text=Denmark%20has%20been%20a%20frontrunner,achieve%20carbon%20neutrality%20by%202050.
Pavese, C. B., & Torney, D. (2012). The contribution of the European Union to global climate change governance: explaining the conditions for EU actorness. Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional, 55, 125-143.
Power Technology. 2022. Kriegers Flak Offshore Wind Farm Denmark, https://www.power-technology.com/projects/kriegers-flak-offshore-wind-farm/.
Rana, R., Ingrao, C., Lombardi, M., & Tricase, C. (2016). Greenhouse gas emissions of an agro-biogas energy system: Estimation under the Renewable Energy Directive. Science of The Total Environment, 550, 1182-1195.
Rüdiger, M. (2019). From coal to wind: how the Danish energy policy changed in 1990. Scandinavian Journal of History, 44(4), 510-530.
Sovacool, B. K., & Blyth, P. L. (2015). Energy and environmental attitudes in the green state of Denmark: Implications for energy democracy, low carbon transitions, and energy literacy. Environmental Science & Policy, 54, 304-315.
State Of Green. 2024. Denmark’s Trajectory Aligns with National Climate Targets, https://stateofgreen.com/en/news/denmarks-trajectory-aligns-with-national-climate-targets/.
United Nation. 2020. Stockholm and the Birth of Environmental Diplomacy, https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-09/still-one-earth-stockholm-diplomacy_0.
United Nations. 2020. The Paris Agreement, https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement.
Wuebbles, D. J. (2018). Climate change in the 21st century: Looking beyond the Paris Agreement. Climate Change and Its Impacts: Risks and Inequalities, 15-38.
Published
2025-02-28
How to Cite
Amangku, H. (2025). DENMARK IMPLEMENTATION OF EUROPEAN UNION RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN PARIS AGREEMENT TO FACE THE THREAT GLOBAL WARMING. Journal of Social Political Sciences, 6(1), 54-65. https://doi.org/10.52166/jsps.v6i1.271
Section
Articles