Europe
3 years ago

Denmark set to end new oil, gas exploration

-Reuters file photo
-Reuters file photo

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Denmark will end all new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, as part of a wider plan to stop extracting fossil fuels by 2050.

Its government also agreed to cancel its latest licensing round on Thursday, which gives firms permission to search for and produce oil and gas, reports BBC.

"We are now putting a final end to the fossil era," said Denmark's climate minister.

Greenpeace Denmark described the announcement as a "watershed moment".

However, the country's latest licensing round was facing uncertainty, after Total of France pulled out in October, leaving only one other applicant.

Denmark is currently the largest oil producer in the European Union, although it produces much less than non-EU members Norway or the UK.

It pumped 103,000 barrels a day in 2019, according to analysis by UK oil giant BP

There are 55 drilling platforms on its territory, across 20 oil and gas fields.

"We're the European Union's biggest oil producer and this decision will therefore resonate around the world," Danish climate minister Dan Jorgensen said on Thursday.

The decision will cost Denmark about 13 billion kroner (£1.1bn), according estimates by the energy ministry, though it said this amount was subject to substantial uncertainty.

'Green frontrunner'

Denmark is regarded as having one of the world's most ambitious climate targets.

It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 70 per cent by 2030, as well as reach net zero emissions by 2050 - both targets which have been passed into law.

Helene Hagel, head of climate and environmental policy at Greenpeace Denmark, said that the new announcement meant "the country can assert itself as a green frontrunner and inspire other countries to end our dependence on climate-wrecking fossil fuels.

"This is a huge victory for the climate movement and all the people who have pushed for many years to make it happen."

Governments around the world have also committed to take further action on climate change as part of a wider plan to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The UK will aim to cut its carbon emissions by at least 68 per cent of what they were in 1990 by the end of 2030, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday.

Scientists have said, however, that even if the UK and other nations keep their promises on cutting emissions there was no guarantee the world would avoid serious global warming.

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