Administration exempts mining from climate targets
Greenhouse gasses are to be reduced 5 percent by 2020, but emissions from the mining and petroleum industries will be taken out of the equation 02-12 - 16:51 The Self-Rule administration today informed the Danish Climate Ministry that it intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent on 2007 levels during the 2013-2020 period. The target, however, does not include emissions from the country's emerging mining and petroleum industries. The administration had been seeking permission to increase its emissions in order to allow it to develop its mining and petroleum industries, but instead, its final strategy divides emissions into three categories – civil society, mineral industries and energy-intensive industries, such as aluminium refining. Premier Kuupik Kleist also stated that Greenland intends to enter support a climate agreement worked out during the Copenhagen climate summit next week. During his weekly press conference, he emphasised the country’s commitment to cutting emissions, but said the biggest burden ought to be shouldered by the biggest economies. “We need to accept that if Greenland is to become economically independent, we need to industrialise. For that reason, we can’t commit to reductions for both mineral industries and energy-intensive industries.” Kleist said the administration hoped to meet its emissions goals by building hydroelectric dams and combined heat and power plants, as well as reducing home energy use and improving the energy efficiency of the fishing fleet.
