Green Transport Vision

The first step has been taken with the introduction of a new strategy for sustainable transport, which is designed to ‘break the curve’ of emissions from the transport sector. Den-mark’s transport policy is to be underpinned by an ethos of sustainability whereby a world-class transport system will be both sustained and devel-oped.

Initiatives of the Danish government
On January 29 this year the Danish government consolidated an agreement on Denmark’s green transport policy that will ensure a reduction in the CO2 emissions from the transport sector. Green Transport Vision Denmark is a long-term aiming at creating a green transport system that rests on a three-legged base being able to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time maintain mobility in society. The focus of Green Transport Vision Denmark is an environment friendly renewal of car taxes, more and better public transport plus new sustainable technologies. Denmark will therefore significantly extend and improve its public transport, which travellers will experience in the shape of more trains at more regular intervals and with shorter travelling times. The green re-adjustment of car taxation and the massive investment in public transport go hand in hand.

Several initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions have been taken in order to secure an increased energy efficiency in the transport sector in the short run. As an offshoot of A Green Transport Policy the Ministry of Transport established Centre for Green Transport that is to carry out large-scale test projects concerning energy efficient transport solutions in strategic co-operation with private companies and local authorities, for example tests with large fleets of energy efficient vehicles. Moreover, DKK 284 million have been earmarked from 2009-2013 for the introduction of CO2 reducing initiatives within the development of energy and environment friendly trans-port, which in the short run is to contribute to reducing green house gas emissions from the transport sector.

The long-term effort is a combination of a concrete endeavour to diffuse and mature for market new technologies through a comprehensive trial and a markedly strengthening of research into sustainable technologies on the transport area. This is to contribute to a change from conventional to envi-ronment friendly and energy friendly propellants.

A cross-ministerial committee has been formed to work out a concrete pro-posal for a rearrangement of the taxation on cars. The central elements in the design of a green toll is whether to vary the toll as far as time and place are concerned, leading to a rush hour traffic reduction on the most used stretches of road. At the same time the most environment friendly and less energy consuming cars are to pay a reduced charge. The Government will make a proposal with the intention to introduce a green toll.

In February 2008 the Danish government reached an Energy Agreement, which also featured a test scheme for electric vehicles. Hydrogen and elec-tricity-powered cars are therefore exempt from tax until 2012. The govern-ment has started a work with a view to estimating to which extent and how plug-in hybrids and electric cars can be introduced and promoted in the best possible way within the transport sector.

MORE INFORMATION
A strategy for building a fossil fuel-free society
Sustainable transport – better infrastructure [PDF]
Centre for Green Transport – promoting sustainable transport [PDF]