Denmark's Air Quality Strategies: Reducing Pollution, Improving Health

Denmark has been dedicated to improving air quality since 1970. The country has implemented various measures to reduce air pollution, including strict environmental legislation, air quality monitoring, and clean air technologies. Denmark's efforts to regulate air pollution through innovative solutions and regulatory frameworks have resulted in a significant reduction in ambient air pollution in both urban and rural areas. The country has focused on developing clean air solutions for sectors such as shipping, industrial production, agriculture, transportation, heating, and power generation. Additionally, Denmark has introduced low emission zones in its four largest cities, addressing the problem of harmful particle emissions from heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles.

Reducing ammonia emissions from agriculture

Denmark has been working to reduce air pollution for over five decades. In June 2024, the country announced a Green Tripartite Agreement between the government, the environmental community, and the agriculture industry, which includes measures to reduce nitrogen pollution. Denmark will pay farmers $100 per ton to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen fertilization of farm fields.

Green Fertilizer Denmark

Green Fertilizer Denmark is a consortium committed to advancing climate-friendly fertiliser production. The consortium is set to establish a state-of-the-art facility in Denmark to enable the production of climate-friendly fertiliser based on green ammonia. The green ammonia will be sourced from the Høst PtX Esbjerg plant (HØST), which is currently under development. The plant will employ the conventional Haber-Bosch process, which involves the reaction of nitrogen with hydrogen, facilitated by a catalyst, under high temperature and pressure to yield ammonia. The green ammonia supplied by the HØST project will have a carbon footprint amounting to a mere 10% of conventional ammonia.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP)

CIP is the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass, and energy-from-waste, among other things.

HØST

HØST is a project company under the management of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). The development of the project is expected to be completed in 2-3 years, followed by a final investment decision in early 2023. Construction of the project is expected to be finalized in 2026. The project will operate flexibly, adapting to the available power production from renewables.

Regulatory Frameworks and Taxes

Denmark has implemented strict environmental legislation and air quality monitoring to reduce air pollution. The country has also introduced taxes and regulations to incentivize the adoption of clean air solutions. For example, a supplement was introduced to the weight and ownership tax of DKK 1,000 annually for cars that do not meet emission standards.

Restoration of Peatlands and Forest Establishment

As part of the Green Tripartite Agreement, Denmark will restore 140,000 hectares of drained peatlands currently in agricultural use and establish 250,000 hectares of new forest by 2045. This will help reduce nitrogen pollution and improve biodiversity.

Reduction in the Use of Nitrogen Fertilizers

Denmark has been working to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers, which are a major source of ammonia emissions. The country has implemented measures such as providing incentives for farmers to reduce nitrogen fertilization and promoting the use of climate-friendly fertilizers.

Limiting air pollution from industry production

Denmark has been working on reducing air pollution since the 1970s and has successfully brought down air pollution from industrial and energy production to a low level compared to global standards. This has been achieved through a combination of innovative solutions, regulative frameworks, and strict environmental legislation. Here are some of the key approaches Denmark has taken to limit air pollution from industry production:

Clean Technologies and Solutions:

Denmark has focused on developing and implementing clean air technologies specifically for sectors that are significant sources of air pollution, including industrial production. This includes the use of catalytic industrial emission filters, which can effectively reduce air pollution from industrial facilities.

Taxation and Regulations:

Denmark has utilized taxes, regulations, and other initiatives to incentivize industries to adopt cleaner technologies and reduce emissions. For example, the Danish Parliament approved a new CO2 tax for the industry sector, which is based on the amount of CO2 emitted from burning fossil fuels.

Energy Efficiency and Transition:

Denmark has made significant strides in improving energy efficiency in industries. This includes the utilization of combined heat and power production, as well as the development of smart energy systems. Additionally, there has been a shift from individual domestic heating using coal or oil to district heating based on surplus heat from conventional power plants, industries, and waste incineration.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

Denmark actively shares its knowledge and expertise in combating air pollution through various platforms, such as the State of Green white paper. By doing so, Denmark contributes to global efforts in reducing air pollution and fosters international collaboration.

Emission Standards and Restrictions:

Denmark has implemented strict emission standards and restrictions for vehicles, including retrofitting older models with NOx cleaning systems. These standards also apply to new ship engines, work machines, and power plants to reduce NOx emissions.

Agriculture and Shipping:

While not directly related to industrial production, it is worth noting that Denmark has also focused on reducing air pollution from agriculture and shipping. This includes reducing ammonia emissions from agriculture and implementing solutions for cleaner maritime operations, such as exhaust gas scrubbing technology and the use of electric ferries.

Using clean and silent battery-powered ferries

Denmark has been at the forefront of reducing air pollution for five decades, focusing on developing clean air technologies and solutions for sectors that are significant sources of air pollution, including shipping. One notable example is the country's adoption of clean and silent battery-powered ferries, which offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel-powered vessels.

One such ferry is the "Ellen", the world's biggest electric ferry, which operates between two Danish islands in the Baltic Sea. Ellen is exclusively powered by 4.3 megawatts of battery power, with high-performance chargers topping up the battery between sailings. This has led to an energy efficiency rating of 85%, nearly twice that of diesel boats, resulting in significant financial and environmental savings. The use of battery power also eliminates diesel fumes and provides a quieter and more pleasant trip for passengers.

The success of Ellen has sparked interest in the potential of battery-powered ferries to reduce air pollution. According to the E-Ferry project coordinators, the higher upfront costs of electric ferries can be offset within 14 to 60 months, depending on the route and conditions. Additionally, the lack of a diesel engine reduces maintenance costs, as electric motors have far fewer moving parts.

Another example of Denmark's battery-powered ferries is the Tycho Brahe and Aurora, operated by Sweden's ForSea. These ferries, which ply the busy route between Helsingborg in Sweden and Helsingor in Denmark, have been converted from diesel power to battery power. The conversion involved installing 4.16 megawatts of battery power on each ferry and utilising shore-based infrastructure for charging. The company sources power for the batteries from renewable energy sources, ensuring a green and sustainable approach.

The adoption of battery-powered ferries in Denmark is a significant step towards reducing air pollution and lowering carbon emissions. With their high energy efficiency, environmental benefits, and potential for cost savings, these ferries offer a promising solution for cleaner and more sustainable shipping.

Implementing low emission zones

Denmark has implemented low emission zones in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Odense, Aarhus, and Aalborg. These zones aim to lower particulate pollution and ensure cleaner air for residents. The goal is to improve the health of residents by lowering the concentration of potentially carcinogenic and hazardous particulate matter.

The low emission zones were first introduced in the five largest Danish cities in 2008-2010. In these zones, there are specific emission requirements for diesel-powered vehicles, particularly targeting older diesel vehicles. To enter these zones, diesel-powered passenger cars, lorries, buses, and vans must have a particulate filter retrofitted. This applies to both Danish and non-Danish vehicles. The control of these zones is carried out by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the police, with automatic license plate reading cameras and cross-checked data from vehicle registers.

The low emission zones do not include highways, but some exits may border a low emission zone. Additionally, transit routes are available within the zones for vehicles that do not meet the requirements. For example, in Copenhagen, a transit route to and from Nordhavnen, including the terminal for the Oslo ferry, is accessible. Similarly, in Aalborg, Vesterbro and Strandvejen, from west of the city to the Limfjord Bridge, are designated transit routes.

The low emission zone in Copenhagen will be expanded towards Tårnby in March 2025, with parts of Otto Brahes Allé excluded to allow residents of Tårnby Municipality access to Naturskolen on Granatvej. This expansion was decided by the Copenhagen City Council.

The rules for low emission zones have become stricter over time. In July 2020, stricter requirements were applied to vans, lorries, and buses. Subsequently, in March 2022, the Danish Parliament decided to extend the particle filter requirement to diesel passenger cars, with the new requirements coming into force in October 2023.

Reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants

Denmark has been working to reduce air pollution for over 50 years, focusing on sectors such as shipping, industrial production, agriculture, transportation, heating, and power generation. In this article, we will focus on the latter – specifically, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a significant contributor to air pollution and can have harmful effects on human health. NOx emissions come primarily from local traffic and are especially problematic in cities. In Denmark, NOx emissions are a collective term for nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Nitrogen dioxide is harmful to health in itself, and NOx can also react with ammonia in the air to form secondary particles that are harmful to health.

To reduce NOx emissions from power plants, Denmark has implemented several strategies. These include:

• Retrofitting vehicles with NOx cleaning systems: This includes cars, trucks, and other vehicles with internal combustion engines.
• Requiring NOx purification for new ship engines, work machines, and power plants: This helps to reduce NOx emissions from these sources.
• Establishing environmental zones in the five largest Danish cities: These zones set requirements for NOx emissions from lorries in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Aarhus, and Odense.
• Adopting stricter environmental requirements for trucks, buses, and vans: In May 2019, the Folketing adopted these stricter requirements, helping to further reduce NOx emissions.
• Implementing the Clean Air Act: This act established a national cap-and-trade program for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and required controls for NOx emissions from fossil-fueled power plants.
• Using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) to limit NOx emissions: These techniques have been effective in reducing NOx emissions from power plants.
• Switching to lower-sulfur coal: This helps to reduce both SO2 and NOx emissions.
• Reducing the use of coal for electric power generation: The shift to cheaper natural gas has contributed to lower NOx emissions.

By implementing these strategies, Denmark has made significant progress in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants, contributing to improved air quality and public health.

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