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Related Articles Many countries are implementing carbon taxation to limit emissions, and this provides a new form of tax revenue. Studies have taken up the question of what forms of expenditure from carbon taxation receive public support and whether ‘revenue recycling’ can improve support for carbon taxation. However, public attitudes are ambiguous. We argue that some of the diverse findings partly reflect that previous studies have lacked the trade‐offs that come with expenditures and that we need to expand focus beyond what the average citizen wants. Therefore, we use an approach where members of the Danish public are asked how they would like to divide the total sum of carbon tax revenues between eight specific areas. We employ hierarchical cluster analysis, which shows a diverse field of groups. This reveals that, while generally popular, expenditures toward climate mitigation and adaptation need to be complemented by social spending to achieve broader support.Ike, Vivian. 2020. “The Impact of Veto Players on Incremental and Drastic Policy Making: Australia's Carbon Tax Policy and Its Repeal.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 232–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12346.Lachapelle, Erick, Thomas Bergeron, Richard Nadeau, Jean‐François Daoust, Ruth Dassonneville, and Éric Bélanger. 2021. “Citizens' Willingness to Support New Taxes for COVID‐19 Measures and the Role of Trust.” Politics & Policy 49(3): 534–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12404.Tuxhorn, Kim‐Lee, John D'Attoma, and Sven Steinmo. 2021. “Do Citizens Want Something for Nothing? Mass Attitudes and the Federal Budget.” Politics & Policy 49(3): 566–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12406. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a key focus in society, and environmental assessments (EAs) are seen as key instruments to inform decision-makers about climate consequences of plans and projects. Previous research has, however, identified shortcomings of practice of assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their significance, and this paper aims to unfold current practices with a focus on Denmark. From an initial set of 762 Danish EA reports published between 2017 and 2021, researchers scrutinized 102 of them to assess their handling of GHG emissions. The findings show that climate change mitigation receives continuous sparse attention and is only to a limited extent included in the scope of the EA. Moreover, analysis of GHG emissions only involves few phases in a life-cycle perspective, GHG emissions are seldomly deemed significant, and justifications provided are varied and frequently inadequate. The results contrast with the increasing focus in society on climate change as a pivotal concern across numerous societal activities. The repercussions of this current practice are discussed. Finally, a research agenda to support better practice is outlined. Increased focus on climate change has not had a major impact on Danish EA practice. Increasing GHG emissions are almost never assessed as significant. Nine types of justifications for the significance of GHG emissions are identified. Assessing GHG emissions directly against national total emissions is misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Whole site methane emissions from composting plants were measured using tracer gas. • Methane emission rates from composting facilities were within 8.0–42.5 kg CH 4 h−1. • Emission factors ranged between 1.56 and 5.21 kg CH 4 Mg−1 wet feedstock. • Emissions were higher during working hours than after the plant closed for the day. • Emissions were ∼ 50% higher in spring and summer in comparison to autumn and winter. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Reliable data for methane emissions from the waste management sector are paramount in terms of providing national methane budgets and developing climate mitigation efforts. This study quantified total methane emissions and characterised temporal as well as operational emission patterns at five commercial composting plants in Denmark. Methane emissions were measured over a one-year period, using the tracer gas dispersion method. The results show that methane emission rates ranged from 8.0 ± 0.1 to 42.5 ± 1.5 kg CH 4 h−1 and were significantly affected by factors including the type of feedstock and composting technology, treated feedstock mass, operational patterns and season. The results indicate that the highest methane emission factors were obtained at the combined anaerobic digestion and open windrow composting plant (4.51–5.21 kg CH 4 Mg−1 wet garden/park waste (GPW) and food waste), followed by open windrow plants co-composting GPW, sewage sludge and straw (3.49–3.76 kg CH 4 Mg−1 wet feedstock). The lowest methane emission factors were found at open windrow composting plants treating GPW (1.56–3.24 kg CH 4 Mg−1 wet feedstock). Emissions tended to be higher when measurements were performed during working hours, in comparison to when they were measured after the plant closed for the day. At one plant, emissions were measured monthly over one year, and emissions were about 50% higher in spring and summer in comparison to autumn and winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substantial climate change mitigation potential of restoring peatlands through rewetting and intensifying agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is largely recognized. The green deal in Denmark aims at restoring 100 000 ha of peatlands by 2030. This area corresponds to more than half of the Danish peatland, with an expected reduction in GHG emissions of almost half of the entire land use, land use change and forestry (LULUFC) emissions. Recent advances established the functional relationship between hydrological regimes, i.e., water table depth (WTD), and CO2 and CH4 emissions. This builds the basis for science-based tools to evaluate and prioritize peatland restoration projects. With this article, we lay the foundation of such a development by developing a high-resolution WTD map for Danish peatlands. Further, we define WTD response functions (CO2 and CH4) fitted to Danish flux data to derive a national GHG emission estimate for peat soils. We estimate the annual GHG emissions to be 2.6 MtCO2-eq , which is around 15 % lower than previous estimates. Lastly, we investigate alternative restoration scenarios and identify substantial differences in the GHG reduction potential depending on the prioritization of fields in the rewetting strategy. If wet fields are prioritized, which is not unlikely in a context of a voluntary bottom-up approach, the GHG reduction potential is just 30 % for the first 10 000 ha with respect to a scenario that prioritizes drained fields. This underpins the importance of the proposed framework linking WTD and GHG emissions to guide a spatially differentiated peatland restoration. The choice of model type used to fit the CO2 WTD response function, the applied global warming potentials and uncertainties related to the WTD map are investigated by means of a scenario analysis, which suggests that the estimated GHG emissions and the reduction potential are associated with coefficients of variation of 13 % and 22 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raising children and young people's climate awareness through actions outside of school could be integrated into pedagogy; instead of the individual-oriented approaches in school, educators should develop a critical pedagogy where community change and political activism are at the core. In this article, we examine how a reformulation based on critical pedagogy literature can mobilize pupils so they can implement responsible and realistic climate actions. To support this process and especially the efforts of teachers in school, we developed a model demonstrating how this can be done. The model is theoretical and normative, and the design was inspired by the experiences from national and international research and development projects. This article draws on Paulo Freire's concept of critical pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, Danish Development Policy was characterized by continuity, backed, as it was, by a relatively stable consensus across the political spectrum. However, this changed in the new Millennium where a paradigm shift in Danish development policy took place. This article characterizes and explains the paradigm shift and identifies its main driving forces. Drawing on Peter Hall's policy paradigm framework, I identify development policy changes as a first, second, as well as a third order change, which constitutes a fundamental paradigm shift. Aid has been cut by almost a third, and the composition of instruments has changed with reduced allocations to bilateral country programmes, reduced allocations to the poorest and most stable countries, and increased allocations to humanitarian aid and areas of origin of migrants. Other purposes such as e.g. security concerns, global climate mitigation, or reducing migration flows, have to a large extent substituted the longstanding main objective of poverty reduction. International events and tendencies are of course important factors in explaining these significant development policy shifts, but domestic driving forces are equally important and consist mainly in a politicization of development aid enabled by a prior shift in policy-arena, both driven by domestic coalition politics. The politicization happened when a centre-right government was elected in 2001 and enabled a paradigm shift that happened over the 00s and which has been consolidated by the Social democratic minority government since 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes how the Danish Road Directorate (DRD) works with the development and execution of construction of large infrastructure projects. The paper covers two parts: On the one hand the framework for reducing climate and environmental impact, and on the other the challenge of norms and standards. As cases, we will use two major bridge projects. As part of the basis for decisions the planning phase of infrastructure projects aims at providing the best way of meeting society's need for mobility, yet balancing many factors such as cost, time and environmental impact. The latter includes using the latest knowledge on climate and environmental impact as well as on the life cycle from cradle to grave of the infrastructure as input for a focused and cost-effective climate action. The planning also comprises factors that determine how biodiversity can be maintained as well as other considerations for the surrounding environment, including protected nature and habitat areas. This is exemplified by the new Roskilde Fjord Link project. Another major project, the future road and railway bridge crossing the Storstrøm, provides examples of the optimization of the design assumptions, considering the risks associated with the geotechnical conditions and relevant load conditions such as ice and ship impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woody biomass energy makes up a large share of renewable energy consumption in the EU, and the largest share in countries like Denmark. However, little is known about how the public perceive it. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire-based survey of the public in Denmark focusing on attitudes toward woody biomass for energy. The main findings are that, while more people favor than oppose it, a large proportion are undecided about the use of woody biomass. The survey also revealed a lack of knowledge about this energy source. A Best-Worst Scaling methodology revealed that Danes prioritize environmental sustainability concerns – namely biodiversity loss, the hindering of the development of other renewable energy sources and the climate change mitigation potential of woody biomass – over societal and/or economic ones when it comes to the promotion of woody biomass. Finally, it was found that concern about climate change, belief in the mitigation potential of woody biomass, and being younger explained the formation of positive attitudes toward woody biomass. Policy makers aiming to take public concerns into account in discussions about Denmark's energy future should focus more on minimizing the negative environmental impacts associated with woody biomass rather than on its economic benefits. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, Denmark passed a substantive Climate Change Act (CCA), replacing largely symbolic legislation from 2014. Using the multiple streams framework, this contribution compares the emergence of both CCAs across the problem, policy and politics streams. Whilst new governments proposed both CCAs following elections, the levels of politicisation of climate could not have differed more. While the 2014 Act was relatively low-key, in 2020 policy change was accompanied by a citizens' initiative campaign and subsequent political party competition on climate policies during the 2019 parliamentary elections. In a key difference, the 2020 CCA remained a political issue even after the policy change process had moved from agenda setting to decision making, whereas political momentum ebbed earlier in 2014. We conclude that the high level of politicisation of climate issues in 2019–2020 contributed greatly to a substantive CCA, but that further improvements are necessary to meet increasingly demanding mitigation targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2022, representatives adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The overarching goal of the agreement is to halt biodiversity loss and restore natural ecosystems – and a much-cited target is the "30x30" target of protecting and restoring 30% of Earth by 2030. Salt marshes are highly productive coastal ecosystems relevant for both biodiversity and climate change mitigation but have experienced historical major losses and are among the habitats in need of protection and restoration. Currently, there is little knowledge about how salt marshes are valued from a societal perspective, which has important management implications. This is particularly the case in the Nordic region where awareness of these habitats is low. Using survey data from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Germany, this study contributes understanding how citizens value salt marshes by examining support for different management initiatives framed as contributing to the goal of either biodiversity protection or climate change mitigation. Generally, both respondents primed with information about the importance of salt marshes for biodiversity and for climate change mitigation were supportive of the management initiatives despite having little previous knowledge of salt marshes. For one initiative, respondents who were informed of the importance of salt marshes for biodiversity were slightly more likely to support the management initiative than those informed about the importance of salt marshes for climate change mitigation. Our study provides guidance for assessment of trade-offs from a human valuation perspective, thus supporting policy makers when considering arguments for salt marsh management within the context of the 30x30 targets for protected areas. • When salt marshes were framed as important ecosystems, there was public support for management initiatives. • Respondents primed with information on the potential importance of salt marshes for climate change mitigation were not more supportive of management initiatives. • Initiatives with the least direct monetary contribution gained the most public support. • Public support for salt marsh management initiatives differed based on country and, in some cases, age and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Willingness to pay for BECCS in Denmark and factors influencing it are investigated. • Willingness to pay is linked to the view of BECCS as necessary for mitigation. • View of BECCS as a necessity reveals either support or reluctant acceptance. • Preference for renewable energies revealed by respondents unwilling to pay. • Age, views on climate change and sustainability of biomass influence WTP. Most climate change mitigation scenarios rely on negative emissions technologies like bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). However, little is known about public support for BECCS. This paper gauges Danes' willingness to pay (WTP) for biomass with carbon capture and storage and examines factors influencing it. Denmark is a suitable case study given its reliance on biomass and negative emissions to achieve climate targets. Results from a questionnaire-based survey indicate a mean WTP of 3072 DKK (412 EUR) per household per year. This correspondents to a 12% increase in heat and electricity expenses. The need for negative emissions is the main stated reason for WTP. This may be interpreted as reflecting either support for, or reluctant acceptance of, BECCS. Results show that being younger, being concerned about climate change and believing that it is mainly caused by human activity, and believing in the mitigation potential of biomass and that sustainability is a precondition of its use have a significant effect on WTP. Public views on BECCS are complex but must be acknowledged if discussion of the role of BECCS in the decarbonisation agenda is to move forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing biomass yield simultaneously with soil carbon (C) sequestration is a key aim of climate-smart cropping systems. Perennialization is believed to be a suitable mitigation strategy for climate change with the potential for enhancing soil C stocks. Based on a nine-year field experiment in Denmark, we measured the changes in soil C and nitrogen (N) stocks, biomass yield, and yield stability of three perennial (low-fertilized miscanthus, high-fertilized festulolium, and no N-fertilized grass-legume mixture) and two annual (continuous triticale and maize) cropping systems. We found that the changes in topsoil (0–20 cm) and 0–100 cm soil C stocks and topsoil N stocks varied significantly between cropping systems. Over nine years, topsoil C stocks increased by an average of 1.4 Mg C ha−1 in the three perennial cropping systems, while they decreased by 3.4 Mg C ha−1 in the two annual cropping systems. The 0–100 cm soil C stocks increased by 6.8 Mg C ha−1 in the three perennial cropping systems and increased by 2.3 Mg C ha−1 in the triticale system, but decreased by 2.5 Mg C ha−1 in the maize system. Topsoil N stocks increased by 0.18 Mg N ha−1 in three perennial systems while they decreased by 0.08 Mg N ha−1 in the two annual cropping systems. Changes in 0–100 cm soil N stocks did not differ significantly between cropping systems. Miscanthus, festulolium, and maize showed the highest biomass yield (17.1, 16.7, and 16.4 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively). There were no significant differences among cropping systems in yield stability. This study demonstrated the potential of perennial cropping systems in obtaining higher soil C stocks compared with annual cropping systems while maintaining high biomass yield, supporting perennialization as a promising option for climate-smart agriculture. • Changes in soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks under annual and perennial cropping systems were studied over nine years. • Perennial cropping systems significantly increased topsoil C and N stocks compared to annual cropping systems. • Changes in subsoil C and N stocks did not differ significantly between annual and perennial cropping systems. • There was no significant difference in biomass yield and yield stability between annual and perennial cropping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Credible commitment is central to regimes for climate mitigation policy. In the climate policy literature, it is widely argued that the solution to the credible commitment problem is legislation and delegation of goal-setting to a technical body insulated from political incentives, and the UK's Committee on Climate Change is in part modelled on this approach. However, drawing on the comparative politics literature, this paper argues that the focus on legislation and delegation as the solution to the credible commitment problem is too narrow. Seen within the context of comparative political institutions, it is a response that fits the political logic in countries with majoritarian electoral systems. By contrast, in countries with electoral systems based on proportional representation, while legislation plays a role, an important element in the creation of credible commitment comes in the form of negotiated long-term agreements between political parties. This contrast is explored through a comparison between the Climate Change Act and associated Committee on Climate Change in the UK on the one hand, and a series of Energy and Climate Agreements in Denmark over the 2010s. Both approaches appear to have worked to date. However, while negotiated long-term agreements typically have an internal process for managing conflicts that inevitably arise after the respective mechanisms have been put in place, disputes arising following legislation and delegation must be resolved within the more informal processes of intra-party politics. Mechanisms of accountability also differ between the two approaches. Key policy insights Legislation and delegation is widely seen as the key route to credible commitment for climate policy, but other routes are possible. Legislation and delegation is particularly suited to countries with majoritarian, or first-past-the-post electoral systems and resulting political dynamics. In countries with proportional representation, an alternative route to credible commitment is possible via formal agreement between political parties. Both routes can work well, but political agreements tend to have internal mechanisms for mediating conflicts that subsequently arise, whereas delegation relies on intra-party politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nordic catchments provide a variety of ecosystem services, from harvestable goods to mitigation of climate change and recreational possibilities. Flows of supplied ecosystem services depend on a broad range of factors, including climate, hydrology, land management and human population density. The aims of this study were: 1) to quantify the total economic value (TEV) of consumed ecosystem services across Nordic catchments, 2) to explain variation in ecosystem service value using socio-geographic and natural factors as explanatory variables in multiple linear regression, and 3) to determine which societal groups benefit from these ecosystem services. Furthermore, we tested the scientific rigour of our framework based on the concept of final ecosystem services (FES). We used a spatially explicit, integrative framework for ecosystem services quantification to compile data on final ecosystem services provision from six catchments across Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Our estimates showed a broad variation in TEV and in the proportion contributed by separate services, with the highest TEV of €7,199 ± 4,561 ha-1 y-1 (mean ± standard deviation) in the Norwegian Orrevassdraget catchment, and the lowest TEV of €183 ± 517 ha-1 y-1 in the Finnish Simojoki catchment. The value of material services was dependent on both geographic factors and land management practices, while the value of immaterial services was strongly dependent on population density and the availability of water. Using spatial data on land use, forest productivity and population density in a GIS analysis showed where hotspots of ecosystem services supply are located, and where specific stakeholder groups benefit most. We show that our framework is applicable to a broad variety of data sources and across countries, making international comparative analyses possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Green' concerns about nature, the environment or the climate have traditionally been juxtaposed with concerns about economic growth or job creation. Recently, however, a new type of conflict has appeared, in which different green concerns, for instance regarding mitigation of climate change and protection of landscape qualities, seem to collide. These environmental conflicts have so far received little scholarly attention. This article addresses the issue by a study of national and in particular local news media discussion on the construction of wind turbines in Denmark, bringing together research traditions from environmental communication, discourse analysis, and place studies. Analytically, the study employs the notion of topos as the key meaning unit, referring to the premises upon which an argument is based. In addition to the empirical findings, the study points to methodological potential of the concept of topos to integrate qualitative and quantitative approaches within a discourse studies framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Energy planning in Illinois and Denmark toward climate-neutral goals was analyzed. • Energy planning processes are not linked well with urban planning goals in the US. • Illinois signed a new CEJA aiming to become a national leader in climate action. • Strategic and practical barriers exist in energy planning in both US and EU. • Multilevel interaction should be an effective energy planning strategy in Illinois. After signing a new Climate and Equitable Jobs Act legislation in September 2021 and establishing the state of Illinois (USA) as a "national leader on climate action," the processes of the implementation of this act take the permanent attention of legislators, policymakers, and customers. The shift that this act could potentially provide represents a new technological foundation for both state and municipal energy planning. This article explores the historical context of energy legislation and energy planning in the United States with a focus on the state of Illinois and makes a comparative study with Denmark (European Union) – one of the global leaders in the transition to green energy, an innovator in the sustainability realm. The driving similarity is that both Illinois and Denmark now have the same declared goal – to rely on 100% renewable energy and have a climate-neutral society by 2050. This paper examines two different approaches to energy planning in a broader realm of urban planning in Illinois and Denmark. Municipalities play an important role as local energy planning authorities in the design and implementation of future energy systems, so this article will additionally focus on the two largest municipalities in both territories: Chicago and Copenhagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water erosion on agricultural land and sediment delivery to streams are a major threat to soil productivity and surface water quality. Climate change and different national and international societal drivers now require Denmark to take action to protect soil and water resources. In this study, we adapted the spatially distributed sediment transport model WaTEM using the best data available at national scale. To calibrate and validate the model, sediment yield data from 31 catchments and 189 slope units in Denmark were compared with the model output, which was produced at a fine spatial resolution of 10 × 10 m. Residual analysis and cross-validation were used to identify potential catchment outliers and assess model robustness. We obtained a median Nash & Sutcliffe model efficiency range of 0.06–0.6 for the Danish environment. Based on the equifinality concept, an ensemble of 100, NSE-weighted model realisations for acceptable transport capacity coefficients was used to assess model uncertainty. The comparison between rill survey data and predicted values indicates that although the model captures well the spatial variability in erosion, it may underestimate the long-term average of soil erosion. Based on the modelling, 71% of the agricultural land in Denmark is mapped as stable in terms of the amount of erosion and deposited material. Overall, 6.1% of the farmland is estimated to have unsustainable erosion and 0.9% of the farmland exceeds erosion rates of 7.5 t ha−1 a−1. Sediment export into surface water in Denmark equals 92,000 t a−1, corresponding to an average sediment yield of 2.7 t km−2. The performance of WaTEM is considered satisfactory in this study. Importantly, modelled water erosion exceeds the perceived erosion risk in Denmark. Strengthened by distributed uncertainty assessment at national scale, our study provides an important national knowledge base for engaging land users and regulators in the process of targeted erosion mitigation planning that is required to comply with national and EU regulation. Future investigations concerning the deviation between predicted and observed data and specific catchment parameters for the non-behavioural catchments are required as well as studies that include the establishment of catchment sediment budgets. • High resolution national water erosion modelling for future mitigation planning • Model calibration and validation with 31 nationwide catchments and field surveys • Explicit consideration of model uncertainty [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mitigating increasing atmospheric CO 2 includes management of forest carbon stocks. • We observed forest carbon in a long-term non-intervention forest during 20 yrs. • We observed spatio-temporal variation in the five principal forest carbon pools. • We observed no evidence of continued carbon sequestration in old-growth forests. • Our study has implications for strategies related to climate change mitigation. Forest management, including setting aside non-intervention forests, is currently debated as a measure to efficiently mitigate climate change. Temperate, old-growth forests are rare and the long-term effect of setting aside forest reserves, e.g. for habitat conservation, on forest carbon stocks and carbon sequestration remains uncertain. In this study, we assessed the five principal forest carbon pools in a semi-natural, temperate forest in Denmark and evaluated the changes in biomass and dead wood carbon stocks over 20 years. We also benchmarked the current carbon stocks against those in managed beech-dominated forests in the same region. In the most recent inventory, carbon stocks totalled 395 Mg ha−1 of which 47% was in above-ground live biomass, 11% in below-ground biomass, 9% in dead wood, 2% in the forest floor, and 31% in the top 75 cm of the mineral soil. Compared to similar, but managed forests in the same region, carbon stocks in above- and below-ground biomass as well as in dead wood were notably larger. However, analyses of above- and below-ground biomass and dead wood carbon stocks showed remarkable stability during the past 20 years, despite major disturbances in terms of windthrows and various pathogens. Despite the overall stability of carbon stocks we observed some significant spatio-temporal changes. Notably, the observed dynamics illustrate a general retreat of Q. robur and increasing dominance of F. sylvatica under a small-scale disturbance regime. The forest floor and soil carbon stocks averaged 131 ± 4 Mg ha−1 and were very similar to those of managed beech-dominated forests, suggesting little potential for soil carbon sequestration from setting forests aside as unmanaged. Our study has implications for selection of adequate forest management strategies to efficiently mitigate climate change as it confirms the large and persistent carbon stocks in old-growth forests compared to managed forests, but offers no evidence of continued carbon sequestration in old-growth forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notions of co-creation and co-production have recently gained importance within several governance areas, suggesting new relations between public authorities and citizens. However, whereas the overall principles of co-creation are relatively well established, the ways in which these principles are realized (or not) in specific fields of practices remain to be studied. This does not at least apply to initiatives towards green transition and climate change mitigation, to which this article is devoted. The current article presents a case study of a 3-year long green transition project, based on a co-operation between four municipalities or municipality associated actors in Denmark and Sweden. The case provides an opportunity to study how ideas and principles of co-creation as a general policy paradigm are domesticated when they meet the local experiences of a municipality initiated green transition project. To put the study of domestication at work in a discourse approach, the notions of recontextualization and operationalization are employed (Fairclough 2005). Empirically, the article analyzes representations of the co-creation process made by municipality employees, who met in a series of workshops in order to exchange experiences and develop a common framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectively communicating climate science requires context-dependent understanding of the target audience and the underlying drivers of their attitudes. The current study explored the landscape of public opinions on climate change in Denmark using segmentation analysis, and investigated its political orientation predictors. Using latent class analysis, we identified the AAACID model; 6 distinct groups that represent the salient differences in Danish climate attitudes, namely the Alarmed, Alert, Ambivalent, Cautious, Indifferent and Doubtful. Climate concern and prioritizing climate mitigation agendas when voting were both negatively associated with Right-orientation, hierarchy, and individualism. A cross-cultural comparison, using the Global Warming's Six Americas framework, further revealed substantial differences between Danish and American public attitudes on climate change. We suggest communication strategies suitable for each segment, and conclude that despite the consensus culture and general acceptance of climate science, political orientation still plays an important role in the remaining disagreement on climate issues in Denmark. • The Danish population's climate attitudes can be represented by 6 segments. • Political orientation predicts Danish climate concern and policy support. • Concern is negatively linked to Right-orientation, hierarchy and individualism. • Denmark and USA was compares through the Global Warming's Six Americas framework. • Danes report more concern and less polarization on climate change than Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the social costs and benefits of potential configurations of electric vehicle deployment, including and excluding vehicle-to-grid. To fully explore the benefits and costs of different electric vehicle pathways, four different scenarios are devised with both today's and 2030 electricity grid in Denmark. These scenarios combine different levels of electric vehicle implementation and communication ability, i.e. smart charging or full bi-directionality, and then paired with different levels of future renewable energy implementation. Then, the societal costs of all scenarios are calculated, including carbon and health externalities to find the least-cost mix of electric vehicles for society. The most cost-effective penetration of electric vehicles in the near future is found to be 27%, increasing to 75% by 2030. This would equate to a $34 billion reduction to societal costs in 2030, a decrease of 30% compared to business as usual. This represents a projected annual savings per vehicle of $1200 in 2030. However, current vehicle capital cost differences, a lack of willingness to pay for electric vehicles, and consumer discount rates are substantial barriers to electric vehicle deployment in Denmark in the near term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in integrating climate change considerations into Programmes of Measures (PoMs) under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is being driven in part by the requirements of the next generation of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). However, so far most studies have focused on potential impacts of climate change on water bodies and the adaptation to climate change-related risks, whereas the relationship between RBMP's and mitigation of climate change -- through the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG) -- has only been touched upon. This paper investigates the potential for synergies between reduction of nutrient losses from agriculture and climate change mitigation in a case study of the Isefjord and Roskilde Fjord River Basin in Denmark. For this purpose, a map-based approach is applied to analyze the effects and cost-effectiveness of selected PoMs to reduce both nitrogen loads and GHG emissions from agriculture at the river basin scale. The results indicate a substantial potential for cost- effective integration of climate change mitigation into WFD action programmes with special emphasis on four agri-environmental N-GHG measures applied in combination: (1) manure treatment for biogas production and improved N utilization, (2) cultivation of perennial energy crops, (3) extensification of intensively farmed lowland areas and (4) wetland restoration. The particular PoMs investigated can ensure fulfilment of the WFD GES objectives for Isefjord and Roskilde Fjord in a cost-effective way and at the same time reduce GHG emissions significantly, corresponding to a 35--65% reduction of total agricultural GHG emissions within the river basin. This study suggests that a targeted and differentiated approach to the development of PoMs is necessary in order to attain the full potential of these kinds of win--win solutions in the context of the WFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of Danish local governments use green web applications, which are websites intended to convince users to reduce energy consumption in order to mitigate climate change. However, to date, no empirical evidence has been published that demonstrates whether green web applications have this intended effect. This paper, based on a survey of 329 Danish small and medium enterprises (SMEs), examines the perceived effects of a green web application named klimabevidst.dk (which can be translated as climateawareness.dk) and explores the motivation of SMEs to use the application. As 29-56 % of SMEs declare that the application has had a medium or large energy reduction effect on their businesses, the paper concludes that klimebevidst.dk can be a relevant component in local government climate change mitigation campaigns aimed at small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper also shows that the perceived effects of using the web application correlate strongly with the extent to which the web application is used (i.e. with the number of the application's energy reduction guides read). Moreover, the perceived effect is larger in smaller SMEs, in SMEs that prioritise climate change and the health of their employees, and in SMEs that do not prioritise economic benefits. The present study is, however, unable to quantify the reduction; further study is needed to produce a more refined picture of the role played by the web application in increasing energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a multifunctional full-scale demonstration road, the Climate Road, which combines climate adaptation and mitigation in a single system. The Climate Road is located at Hedensted, Denmark and is 50 m long and 8 m wide, and the depth of the roadbed is 1 m. Half of the Climate Road, i.e., 25 m, is paved with permeable asphalt and the remaining 25 m with traditional asphalt. All surface water drains into the roadbed, which stores up to 120 m3 of water, either directly through the permeable asphalt or by drain grates. In addition, 800 m of geothermal pipes are embedded in the roadbed, distributed over four 200 m w-loops, two buried 1 m below the asphalt and two similar loops at 0.5 m depth. The Climate Road was tested from May 2019 to May 2021. In the project period, a total precipitation value of 1654 mm was recorded, the mean temperature was 9.3 °C and the most intense rainfall was 40.3 mm/30 min. The long-term infiltration performance of the permeable asphalt shows that the overall infiltration capacity slowly reduces. The reduction can be hindered, but not completely prevented, with annual restorative cleaning. After two years of operation, the Climate Road still, by a large margin, fulfils the recommendations of the infiltration capacity of 97.2 mm/h for the vast majority of the road section. The total volume reduction capacity is estimated to be between 15 and 30%. Based on an analysis of 61 single rain events, the event detention time is found to range between 10 and 130 min, with an average of 35 min. During the project period, the Climate Road produced a total of 98 MWh for a nearby kindergarten, with an average coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Global warming is a grave environmental issue that has caught the attention of the globe. Due to the consequences of global warming, UNFCCC has established the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord as measures of combating climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gases. It has been three years since the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord was just newly established. Therefore, there is a necessity to evaluate the performance of the Kyoto Protocol and to comment upon the Copenhagen Accord in its contributions toward climate change mitigation. Major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters who are among the Kyoto Protocol ratifying developed nations exhibit the potential to achieve the desired Kyoto pledges through the aid of Clean Development Mechanisms (mainly from using renewable energy), as proposed in the Kyoto Protocol. However, the nullifying effects from non-ratified major emitters like the US and ratified but still developing countries have difficulties in adhering to the Kyoto Protocol. The Copenhagen Accord, on the other hand, is considered to be less ambitious and provides limited financial aid through the Copenhagen Green Climate Fund. The formulation of such a document indicates that modern societies continues to waste time in negotiations that emphasize on individual economic and political advantages, rather than taking into account true global considerations. It raises questions regarding how much time is needed before we decide to fully commit to the effective and collective efforts of climate change mitigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is due to expire at the end of 2012, but no commitments have been adopted to date for a second period. Discussions about the fate of the climate regime beyond 2012 were supposed to end in 2009, in order to avoid a gap between the first and second commitment periods. But neither the Copenhagen climate summit (2009), nor the Cancun conference (2010) resulted in conclusion of a deal. They did not yield answer about the divisive issues of legal form and architecture of the future international climate regime. The Durban Conference (2011) no longer was able to avoid addressing these thorny issues. At the very end of the summit, a compromise was reached following long and difficult negotiations. Parties decided to extend the Kyoto Protocol through a second commitment period and launch a new round of negotiations under the Convention in order to adopt a more inclusive and ambitious international climate regime to be implemented from 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to feed the world we need innovative thinking on how to increase agricultural production whilst also mitigating climate change. Agriculture and land-use change are responsible for approximately one-third of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but hold potential for climate change mitigation but are only tangentially included in UNFCCC mitigation policies. To get a full estimate of GHG emissions from agricultural crop production both energy-based emissions and land-based emissions need to be accounted for. Furthermore, the major mitigation potential is likely to be indirect reduction of emissions i.e. reducing emissions per unit of agricultural product rather than the absolute emissions per se. Hence the system productivity must be included in the same analysis. This paper presents the Kaya-Porter identity, derived from the Kaya identity, as a new way to calculate GHG emissions from agricultural crop production by deconstructing emissions into five elements; the GHG intensity of the energy used for production (kgCO2-eq./MJ), energy intensity of the production (MJ/kg dry matter), areal productivity (kgdry matter/ha), areal land-based GHG emissions (CO2-eq./ha) and area (ha). These separate elements in the identity can be targeted in emissions reduction and mitigation policies and are useful to analyse past and current trends in emissions and to explore future scenarios. Using the Kaya-Porter identity we have performed a case study on Danish crop production and find emissions to have been reduced by 12% from 1992 to 2008, whilst yields per unit area have remained constant. Both land-based emissions and energy-based emissions have decreased, mainly due to a 41% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use. The initial identity based analysis for crop production presented here needs to be extended to include livestock to reflect the entire agricultural production and food demand sectors, thereby permitting analysis of the trade-offs between animal and plant food production, human dietary preferences and population and resulting GHG emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Greenland is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which comprises Denmark proper, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. After a guiding referendum in Greenland and approval by the Greenland Parliament, a Danish Act formally established the Greenland Self-Government on 21 June 2009. For most areas of legislation and government, the Act either transferred or provided for the transfer of the legislative power from the Danish Parliament to the Greenland Parliament and of the executive power from the Government of Denmark to the Government of Greenland. The Greenland Self-Government has the legislative and executive powers in many areas, including those of mineral resources (oil, gas and minerals) and of climate matters. This article describes the regulation of mineral resource activities and related climate matters in Greenland. It then discusses the Greenland Self-Government's competence in relation to negotiation and conclusion of international climate agreements as well as self-governing territories' general right to do so. Finally, it considers the Greenland Self-Government's climate and emission mitigation commitments for 2008-2012 and thereafter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: At Copenhagen, the developed countries agreed to provide up to $100bn per year to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation by developing countries. Projects aimed at cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will need to be evaluated against dual criteria: from the viewpoint of the developed countries they must cut emissions of GHGs at reasonable cost, while host countries will assess their contribution to development, or simply their overall economic benefits. Co-benefits of some types of project will also be of interest to host countries: for example some projects will contribute to reducing air pollution, thus improving the health of the local population. This paper uses a simple damage function methodology to quantify some of the health co-benefits of replacing coal-fired generation with wind or small hydro in China. We estimate the monetary value of these co-benefits and find that it is probably small compared to the added costs. We have not made a full cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy in China as some likely co-benefits are omitted from our calculations. Our results are subject to considerable uncertainty however, after careful consideration of their likely accuracy and comparisons with other studies, we believe that they provide a good first cut estimate of co-benefits and are sufficiently robust to stand as a guide for policy makers. In addition to these empirical results, a key contribution made by the paper is to demonstrate a simple and reasonably accurate methodology for health benefits estimation that applies the most recent academic research in the field to the solution of an increasingly important problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Citizen participation is a recurrent and democratically important issue in the ongoing debate about climate change. However, different meanings are ascribed to citizen participation in different contexts, ranging from top-down involvement to bottom-up engagement, thus creating tension between conflicting ideals. Focusing on public engagement and its construal in different situational contexts, we explore how citizens are discursively included or excluded from participation, as various climate change discourses unfold in two forums where local needs and global concerns interact. Furthermore, we address some opportunities and barriers regarding citizen participation in climate change issues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses the domestic and global obligations Australia is facing with respect to its climate change mitigation obligations. Because of the 'enhanced greenhouse effect' caused by human activity, climate change has become a global issue that requires collective support and action to ensure its mitigation, with the prevailing question being: What is the most equitable, effective and efficient means of abrogation? Traditionally, environmental measures have been enforced through command and control regulations, with their aim being to prohibit behaviour that was seen to be damaging to the environment. However, the last 20 years or so have seen a rise in the use of 'market-related instruments' such as the implementation of 'green' taxes and 'emission trading schemes' (ETSs) to influence human behaviour indirectly. From past experience, economic incentive-based policies are generally more efficient measures than regulatory approaches at combating issues like climate change. The paper compares two such economic or market-based approaches: carbon taxes and ETSs, noting the differences, advantages and shortcomings of each. International comparisons are noted, in particular, the success of Denmark and Sweden in their adoption of carbon taxes as part of their domestic Environmental Tax Reform (ETR) initiatives to address undesirable carbon emissions in their countries. The paper then examines the major regulatory controls that address the environmental protection activities which are already operating in Australia, before discussing the problematic and unsuccessful implementation in 2009/10 of the Australian Government's own version of an ETS, the 'Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme' (CPRS). Current developments including the recommendations of the Australian Government's new Multi-Party Climate Change Committee (MPCCC) and an examination of the recently released Garnaut Climate Change Review Updates, Nos. 6, 7 and 8, is also undertaken together with an overview of the more recent recommendations made in 'The Garnaut Review 2011: Australia in the Global Response to Climate Change'. It is concluded that despite the Australian Government's preferred option to implement another ETS variant (which would initially operate as a fixed-price permit scheme, to be converted later to a full ETS after a period of three to five years), a carbon tax would be better equipped to provide a solution that is revenue neutral, simple to administer, encourages technical innovation and, most importantly, is more likely to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) than other regulatory measures, or other economic or market-based schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the run-up to the Copenhagen negotiations, commentators, politicians and the public had great expectations of some state taking the lead towards a new global climate deal. Is there something in such a call for leadership? In two steps, this article provides an empirically informed answer to that question. The first part develops a theoretical account of the relation between leadership and cooperation in international climate change mitigation policy (ICCMP). Starting from a five-dimensional leadership account and a simple game-theoretical analysis of the impediments to cooperation, it is predicted that (1) increased leadership facilitates cooperation in ICCMP and (2) different leadership modes contribute to cooperation in varying degrees. The second part tests these hypotheses: a new leadership index measures the extent to which the EU exhibited leadership at the negotiations of the Conference of the Parties (COP) between 1995 and 2008. This positively correlates with the level of cooperation arrived at. The result also holds for four out of five leadership modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion of improved forest management as a way to enhance carbon sinks in the Copenhagen Accord of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (December 2009) suggests that forest restoration will play a role in global climate change mitigation under the post-Kyoto agreement. Although discussions about restoration strategies often pertain solely to severely degraded tropical forests and invoke only the enrichment planting option, different approaches to restoration are needed to counter the full range of degrees of degradation. We propose approaches for restoration of forests that range from being slightly to severely degraded. Our methods start with ceasing the causes of degradation and letting forests regenerate on their own, progress through active management of natural regeneration in degraded areas to accelerate tree regeneration and growth, and finally include the stage of degradation at which re-planting is necessary. We argue that when the appropriate techniques are employed, forest restoration is cost-effective relative to conventional planting, provides abundant social and ecological co-benefits, and results in the sequestration of substantial amounts of carbon. For forest restoration efforts to succeed, a supportive post-Kyoto agreement is needed as well as appropriate national policies, institutional arrangements, and local participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate information about organic/mineral soil occurrence is a prerequisite for many land resources management applications (including climate change mitigation). This paper aims at investigating the potential of using geomorphometrical analysis and decision tree modeling to predict the geographic distribution of hydromorphic organic landscapes in unsampled area in Denmark. Nine primary (elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, tangent curvature, flow direction, flow accumulation, and specific catchment area) and one secondary (steady-state topographic wetness index) topographic parameters were generated from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) acquired using airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems. They were used along with existing digital data collected from other sources (soil type, geological substrate and landscape type) to explain organic/mineral field measurements in hydromorphic landscapes of the Danish area chosen. A large number of tree-based classification models (186) were developed using (1) all of the parameters, (2) the primary DEM-derived topographic (morphological/ hydrological) parameters only, (3) selected pairs of parameters and (4) excluding each parameter one at a time from the potential pool of predictor parameters. The best classification tree model (with the lowest misclassification error and the smallest number of terminal nodes and predictor parameters) combined the steady-state topographic wetness index and soil type, and explained 68% of the variability in organic/ mineral field measurements. The overall accuracy of the predictive organic/inorganic landscapes' map produced (at 1:50 000 cartographic scale) using the best tree was esti mated to be ca. 75%. The proposed classification-tree model is relatively simple, quick, realistic and practical, and it can be applied to other areas, thereby providing a tool to facilitate the implementation of pedological/hydrological plans for conservation and sustainable management. It is particularly useful when information about soil properties from conventional field surveys is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the United Nations meeting on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009, it being the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP-15), and the Copenhagen Accord that emerged from it. Statistics are reported on the number of countries that had submitted climate-change mitigation actions and targets for documentation in the Accord as of early March 2010. The article discusses the architecture of the Accord, its key provisions, temperature targets, adaptation funds, and emission-reduction measurement, reporting, and verification.

The article discusses climate change policymaking in the European Union (EU) and the lack of direction that came from the United Nations conference on climate change held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009. The article discusses EU objectives for the Copenhagen meeting, EU actions taken at the meeting, the future of international cooperation on climate change, and influences that the Copenhagen meeting will have on the internal climate policies of the EU. Commentary is provided on the stance that the EU will take in future international climate change negotiations.

The article discusses the December 2009 meeting on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark and negotiations on funding for adaptation undertaken among countries and non-governmental organizations (NGO). The concept of adaptation is explained with reference to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Creation of an Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol is noted. NGOs are noted for the assertiveness they displayed at the Copenhagen meeting regarding adaptation and carbon dioxide mitigation targets. World Bank estimates of the annual costs of adaptation are noted. The article concludes with an assessment of the Copenhagen meeting.

This article clarifies the outcome of the Copenhagen climate conference from the perspective of a government delegate. Access behind closed doors reveals the full extent of the damage. The failure at Copenhagen was worse than our worst-case scenario but should not obscure a bigger and brighter picture. Aggregate climate governance is in healthy condition that contrasts with the plight of multilateral climate governance. While the multilateral UN process is damaged, multilevel governance comprising regional, national and local climate policies worldwide is steadily gaining speed. The challenge to the academic community is to develop a composite measure of multilevel governance that captures aggregate public and nonstate policy initiatives at various levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This introductory paper discusses tourism's role in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation, at a time when climate change is at the forefront of many political discussions, including the 2009 Climate Summit in Copenhagen, and many business decisions. The development of tourism research in response to climate change in the past 25 years is outlined and limitations are identified. The paper also argues that while growing engagement with the challenge of climate change is evident across the tourism industry, this is still limited and not widespread. The minor role played by tourism interests in the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen is noted and discussed. Questions are raised around the willingness and ability of both the tourism industry and tourists to significantly reduce global emissions. The papers brought together in this Special Issue (Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18.3) both highlight key challenges that tourism faces in its attempts to better understand and manage the problem of climate change, and suggest valuable ways forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the United Nations climate change conference on December 7-19, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark is presented. Topics include political agreement or the Copenhagen Accord, long-term goal for the limit of climate change and the mitigation commitment. The conference features various countries including Asian countries, Bolivia and Sudan.

Food production is a major driver of global warming, water scarcity and biodiversity loss. Denmark has set ambitious targets to lower its territorial carbon emissions in the next decades. In 2019, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council announced a strategy to make Denmark's food production systems climate-neutral by 2050. Therefore, detailed information concerning Denmark's food consumption's environmental impacts is required to implement effective climate mitigation and resource conservation policies that lead to positive local to global results. Using an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output (EE MRIO) analysis and the EXIOBASE v3.4 database, we evaluate Denmark's global food-related consumption-based (CB) greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and resource (land and water use) accounts from 1995 to 2014. Although Denmark's CB food-related blue water use remained relatively stable during the studied period, its food-related CB GHG emissions (excluding land-use change emissions) decreased continuously by 30%. Also, Denmark's cropland and grassland footprints for food declined by 16% (3555 km2) and 27% (621 km2), respectively. Almost two-fifths of Denmark's food consumption was produced abroad in 2014, corresponding to 51% of Denmark's food-related CB GHG emissions and land use apiece and 84% of its food-related blue water use. Whereas animal-based foods accounted for the largest share of Denmark's food-related CB GHG emissions, plant-based diets were responsible for the bulk of Denmark's CB land and blue water use. Dietary changes towards plant-based foods are essential to mitigating Denmark's food-related climate impacts. We recommend that Denmark transfers its sustainable food production technologies to its pollution-and-resource intensive food-exporting trade partners to enhance global climate change mitigation and resource use efficiency. [Display omitted] • About 49% of Denmark's food-related CB GHG emissions and land use occur in Denmark. • Denmark's GHG and land footprints for food decreased by 30% and 17%, respectively. • Denmark is a net importer of food-related blue water and grassland footprint. • GHG emissions and cropland embodied in Danish food exports increased by 11% and 47%, respectively. • Almost two-fifths of Denmark's GHG and cropland footprints are embodied in imports from other European countries and Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a calculation of Denmark's production and consumption-based accounting CO 2 e emissions for five regions in 2011. We apply an environmentally extended economic model for Danish municipalities known as the Local "INterregional" Economic (LINE) model, together with a multi-regional input-output model for the world economy (EXIOBASE v3.4). We find that Denmark's Capital region accounts for 41% (28 MtCO 2 e) and 31% (27 MtCO 2 e) of Denmark's production and consumption-based emissions respectively. By disaggregating regional emissions into industry and product categories, we provide relevant information to producers and consumers in each region concerning areas where the most significant differences towards reducing their carbon footprint can be realised. Mobility, services, food and shelter were the main drivers of emissions in all Danish regions. The Central, North and South Denmark accounted for more than half (9.56 MtCO 2 e) of Denmark's food production emissions. The Capital region was the largest source of emissions (3.79 MtCO 2 e) related to food consumption. We suggest that dietary changes towards less red meat and dairy products can potentially reduce regional food-related emissions of Danish households. Our results indicate that modest changes in consumer lifestyles are pivotal for local climate mitigation policies, especially in Denmark's biggest cities, Copenhagen, Århus, Aalborg and Odense. Unlabelled Image • The Capital region accounts for more than a third of Denmark's emissions • Mobility, food and shelter form the highest production emission shares • Services and food products account for more than half of DK's CF • The four biggest municipalities account for 22% of DK's CF • Animal-based food products account for 45% of DK's food-related CF [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors express disappointment over the failure of the United Nations climate-change negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark to realize the urgency of action to mitigate the threat of climate change to health. They reference the publication of a series of research papers presenting evidence for certain actions to address climate change in "The Lancet" in 2009. They detail related efforts by the InterAcademy Medical Panel and the 2006 Stern Review.

Research highlights: The study enabled us to quantitatively assess ecosystem benefits and trade-offs, to characterize species as generalists or specialists, and findings suggest that producing biomass for energy is more likely to serve multiple objectives if it is implemented in an integrated production system. Background and Objectives: Biomass is one of the main and largest sources of renewable energy. In Denmark, the production of biomass for energy is mainly based on timber harvest residues from pre-commercial thinning of forest stands. However, there is an increasing demand for bioenergy that require biomass to be grown specifically for energy purposes even though the sustainability and climate change mitigation potential of bioenergy plantations have recently been questioned in terms of food production, land use, land use change and terrestrial carbon cycles. The overall objective of the research is to better understand the opportunities and trade-offs between different woody and non-woody energy crops. Material and Methods: This study assessed the ecosystem services of seven woody species and one perennial along a management intensity continuum with a main focus on bioenergy production. Results: Results of the analysis showed that there are complex interrelations between ecosystem services and significant differences between species in providing those services. Conclusions: Species with a highest energy benefit among assessed species were poplar and grand fir, while beech and oak proved the best in providing biodiversity benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]