Denmark’s opposition announces backing for 70 percent climate target
The opposition Liberal party has stated it is in support of an ambitious government target to reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent by 2030.
After a period of hesitation, the party, the largest on Denmark’s right, has said it is behind the climate target, which was announced by the Social Democrats earlier this year.
READ ALSO: Environmental organizations cheer 'historic' Danish climate goal
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, the new leader of the Liberals, confirmed the policy in the opening debates at parliament on Thursday.
“We are going to continue taking responsibility for the climate and continue being ambitious. The Liberal Party supports the ambition to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 70 percent by 2030,” Ellemann-Jensen said.
“For the Liberals, it is vital that our climate targets are truly green. A Danish climate target must not result in CO2 emissions being pushed out of Denmark along with associated good jobs,” he said.
The Social Democrats, Social Liberals, Socialist People's Party and Red Green Alliance reached agreement in June over the target, as part of the deal which provided the platform for the new government.
Since then, right wing parties the Danish People’s Party, Liberal Alliance and the Conservatives have all declared their support.
That leaves – following the Liberal announcement – hard-right libertarians Nye Borgelige (New Right) as the only parliamentary party not to support the climate goal.
READ ALSO: Denmark must change way of life to achieve climate targets: Frederiksen
With the return to parliamentary session, the government has opened negotiations over a new climate law, in which the climate target will be included.
An agreement over how to achieve the target could be secured by December, allowing the law to be passed by parliament early in the new year.
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After a period of hesitation, the party, the largest on Denmark’s right, has said it is behind the climate target, which was announced by the Social Democrats earlier this year.
READ ALSO: Environmental organizations cheer 'historic' Danish climate goal
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, the new leader of the Liberals, confirmed the policy in the opening debates at parliament on Thursday.
“We are going to continue taking responsibility for the climate and continue being ambitious. The Liberal Party supports the ambition to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 70 percent by 2030,” Ellemann-Jensen said.
“For the Liberals, it is vital that our climate targets are truly green. A Danish climate target must not result in CO2 emissions being pushed out of Denmark along with associated good jobs,” he said.
The Social Democrats, Social Liberals, Socialist People's Party and Red Green Alliance reached agreement in June over the target, as part of the deal which provided the platform for the new government.
Since then, right wing parties the Danish People’s Party, Liberal Alliance and the Conservatives have all declared their support.
That leaves – following the Liberal announcement – hard-right libertarians Nye Borgelige (New Right) as the only parliamentary party not to support the climate goal.
READ ALSO: Denmark must change way of life to achieve climate targets: Frederiksen
With the return to parliamentary session, the government has opened negotiations over a new climate law, in which the climate target will be included.
An agreement over how to achieve the target could be secured by December, allowing the law to be passed by parliament early in the new year.
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