Denmark tops international climate ranking

Published 09-11-2021

An annual index of national climate performance puts Denmark at the forefront of climate action. The index monitors climate mitigation progress of 60 countries and the European Union, collectively covering more than 90 pct. of global greenhouse gas emissions.

This year, Denmark tops the annual Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) by GermanWatch and New Climate Institute, launched Tuesday at COP26 in Glasgow. As in previous years, CCPI finds that no country fulfills the criteria to enter top 3. Therefore, Denmark ranks 4th and tops the 2022-ranking.

”I’m proud that our hard work and results have placed Denmark in good company at the forefront of the global fight against the climate crisis. Two years ago, we set ourselves a very ambitious target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 70 pct. by 2030, and we have already come a long way since then,” says Minister for Climate Dan Jørgensen.

Denmark aims to inspire global climate action

As in the last year’s CCPI, Denmark scores high in the GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy, and Climate Policy categories. In 2020, Denmark committed to a 2030 target of a 70 pct. emissions reduction compared with 1990 levels and aims at climate neutrality by 2050. The index notes that these targets are complementary with the Paris Agreement. Denmark’s co-chairing of the Beyond Oil And Gas Alliance is also noted.

“While the index highlights how some countries have come much further than others, no country has reached the finish-line and we will continue to push the envelope to inspire global climate action. We have shown that climate, jobs, and sustainable growth go hand in hand. While we dig deeper into the Danish transition, we also reach out to help raise global ambitions,” Dan Jørgensen says.

The Climate Change Performance Index 2022, analyses and compares the climate mitigation efforts of 60 countries plus the EU. The index is launched annually at COP. This year’s index is published by GermanWatch and New Climate Instutute in collaboration with Climate Action Network International. Last year, Denmark ranked 6th.

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