Carbon dioxide emissions in Denmark 1970-2023

Denmark's carbon dioxide emissions from energy use fell 4.5 percent in 2023, to 28.4 million metric tons of (MtCO₂). This was the second-lowest annual CO₂ emissions produced in the Scandinavian country since 1970.

Clean energy pioneer

Denmark is known as a leader in clean and renewable energy, especially wind power, which accounts for almost 60 percent of the electricity generated in the country. Bioenergy also plays a key role in Denmark's power mix. The transition to renewables has helped cut CO₂ emissions from electricity production by more than 75 percent since the turn of the century. 

Per capita emissions

While Denmark has some of the lowest total CO₂ emissions in the EU, its per capita emissions are above the EU average. In 2022, the average Dane produced the equivalent of 7.4 kilograms of CO₂. Nevertheless, Denmark's per capita GHG emissions are roughly half those of the bloc's biggest per capita polluters.