Denmark’s government has set itself the ambitious goal of making all domestic flights green by 2030, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on January 1st, 2022. Frederiksen did not give details on how to achieve this ambitious target, but explained that his government was open to introducing a CO2 emissions tax, which it had previously opposed.
Will it be difficult? Yes. Can we do it? Yes, I think so. We are already on it. Talented researchers and entrepreneurs are working on solutions.
Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s Prime Minister
Airbus has announced plans to develop hydrogen-fueled planes by 2035. Denmark could leverage this technology to achieve its goals, provided the hydrogen used to fuel the engines is generated with renewable energy. “If we succeed, it will be an ecological breakthrough. Not just for Denmark, but for the whole world. If we have learned anything in recent years about managing major crises, it is that we should never hesitate,” Frederiksen said.
When other countries in the world are too slow, then Denmark must take the lead and raise the bar even more.
Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s Prime Minister
According to the BBC, Sweden wants to make its domestic flights fossil fuel-free by 2030. Authorities in the country are hoping to make international flights green by 2045. Additionally, the government has announced plans to introduce increased airport fees for high-polluting planes. And France also intends to ban domestic flights where the same journey could be made by train in under two-and-a-half hours.
The aviation industry is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, and airlines are developing new, cleaner technologies, including some to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 290 airlines responsible for 83 percent of air traffic, pledged in October to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
