Demark PM vows to make domestic flights fossil fuel-free by 2030

Denmark has set a new environmental protection goal that would make all domestic flights of the country free of fossil fuel usage by 2030, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced in the New Years’ address.

While admitting that Denmark does not have all the solutions so far that would be needed to achieve the target, she vowed to “make flying green”, according to reports from BBC.

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“To travel is to live and therefore we fly”, Prime Minister Frederiksen said in the address. She added, ”

When other countries in the world are too slow. Then Denmark must take the lead and raise the bar even more.”

Denmark’s ambitious goal includes a 70% cut in overall emissions by the end of this decade, compared to 1990 levels. She added that achieving green domestic flights will be difficult but researchers and companies are working on solutions, according to reports from BBC.

Such environmentally-friendly moves have been observed across Europe, with countries like France and Sweden jumping on the bandwagon. 

France is planning to ban all domestic flights in the country if their travel time equates with two-and-a-half hours, boosting curbs on usage of fossil fuels. The measures, which still remain in the country’s legislative pipeline, could affect travel between Paris and cities including Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux.

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Sweden took steps similar to those undertaken by Denmark. While hoping to make all domestic flights free of fossil fuel usage, it also plans to make international flights green by 2045, according to reports from BBC. Sweden has also introduced hiked airport fees for planes that fell under the high-pollution category.

The announcements come nearly two months after hundreds of countries met in Glasgow, United Kingdom, for the COP26 diplomatic meet. The gathering included promises related to the development of environment friendly policies.